Date: Thursday 24 May 2012

Venue: Manchester Regional Arena

In the world of Paralympic sport, Boccia is the main event for athletes with severe impairments. The game has been a part of the Paralympics since 1984 and it is now one of the fastest growing Paralympic sports. Boccia was originally presented as a sport for athletes with cerebral palsy, but it has now developed into a game played by many sections of the community.
Boccia is a non-contact, target driven sport, which tests muscle control and accuracy, and demands extreme skill and concentration. Played on a rectangular court by individuals, pairs and teams, the sport offers both tension and excitement, as athletes aim to land balls close to a target ball, across a series of demanding ends.

Following its tremendous success last year, an exhibition Boccia match will also take place this year during the Paralympic World Cup. Britain’s top athletes will showcase their exceptional talents on home soil, against another top international side (TBC) in the team’s last match practice before the Paralympics.

Facts about Boccia

Athletes compete according to their functional classification in each event, providing exhilarating and thrilling matches for all to enjoy. This year athletes will compete in BC4 Pairs and BC4 Individual competitions.  

Classifications

Players competing in Boccia are given a sport class based on their level of disability. There are 8 classification groups with Class 1 having the most severe impairments and Class 8 the least severe. Classes 1 to 4 are wheelchair users and Classes 5 to 8 are ambulant. The idea of classifying players is to be as fair and equitable as possible to all those involved.