SPOTLIGHT ON SPORT: BOCCIA

CLASS BC1

Getting involved in a sporting activity is a great way to stay active and meet new friends. One sport with the unique advantage of being open to almost all wheelchair users, regardless of disability level, is Boccia.

This may be the first time you have heard of Boccia but it has been a Paralympic sport since 1984. There is an exciting Boccia community in Scotland and at the Rio games in 2016, 60% of the GB team were Scottish. It has similarities to the game of Boules and requires players to roll, kick or throw a soft leather ball as close as possible to a target jack.

One of our SIS members, Hannah Craig, 22, from Dundee has been enjoying the sport since 2007. She trains for six hours every week and is a volunteer coach.

There are 21 different clubs and sessions across Scotland. Hannah joined the Dundee club in 2007, the Scotland squad in 2009 and the Tayside squad in 2011 so there are plenty of opportunities to get involved.

There are four different classification levels and this is a sport that almost anyone in a wheelchair can enjoy. The Boccia International Sports Federation (BISFed) defines them as follows:

Individuals with severe activity limitations affecting legs, arms and trunk due to coordination impairment. Can grasp and throw the ball and do not require assistive devices. Players with some leg control can propel the ball with the foot.

CLASS BC2

Players with better trunk control and arm function than players in classes BC1 and BC3.

CLASS BC3

Players with significantly limited function in arms and legs and poor or no trunk control. Use a ramp to roll the ball as unable to propel the ball into the court.

CLASS BC4

Players with health conditions such as muscular dystrophy and spina bifida. Very poor leg and trunk function but are able to grasp and throw the ball.

Hannah's injury is incomplete at C2/3 and she is classified to compete under the BC2 level. Her dad gets involved by making ramps and is currently on version number five. Each has had major improvements on the previous model to try and help Hanna's performance.

Boccia is the perfect way to test yourself at different levels. Hannah has attended competitions from local club level right through to international level so there are plenty of opportunities to show off your new skills.

For those interested there is the opportunity to officiate or referee. Training is provided to gain certification through the Scottish Disability Sport organisation. We are all proud of Hannah who managed to achieve the level one award for officiating Boccia in March last year.

Getting involved in Boccia is a great opportunity for anyone to enjoy sports. Go ahead and try something new this year!

If you are interested then you can get all the relevant information from Scottish Disability Sport, visit: https://www.scottishdisabilitysport.com/ about-boccia or call them on 0131 317 1130.