Boccia
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Boccia Clubs in London
The game of Boccia (pronounced ‘Bot-cha’) originated in Greece, where players threw large stones at a stone target. Its name is derived from the Latin word for ball – bottia.
It was originally designed for people with severe cerebral palsy but is now enjoyed by players from many sectors of the community. In 1984 it became a Paralympic sport, and is being practiced in over 50 countries worldwide, from a purely recreational level to a variety of competitive events.
Boccia is a non–contact driven sport which relies upon skill and subtlety of the player rather than their size, speed and strength. A ball can be propelled by rolling, throwing or kicking. If a player is unable to throw or kick it, they can use a ‘ramp’ (assistive device). If they are unable to release the ball with their hands players can use a head pointer.
Boccia is a sport similar to bowls for athletes with a disability. It is a Paralympic sport, played in over forty countries worldwide. Boccia can be played by individuals, pairs, or teams of three. The aim of the game is to throw leather balls - coloured red or blue as close as you can to a white target ball, or jack. The balls can be moved with hands or feet, or, sometimes, with an assistive device.
At the end of each round, or end, the distance of the balls closest to the jack is measured, and points awarded accordingly - one point for each ball which is closer to the jack than the opponent's closest ball. The team/player with the highest number of points at the end of play is the winner.
Useful links
London Contacts
Richards Evans – P2P Boccia Officer
Lucy Hall - Boccia Co-ordinator, Boccia England
Telephone: 0115 967 8455
