Stoke Mandeville Stadium has hosted the one of ten regional Boccia competitions taking place this month across England. The competition saw four teams from the Central Region Championships competing as part of the Lord Tavener’s Under 19’s Boccia Programme.

Schools from 30 counties competed to qualify, and the successful four teams who contended were Buckingham Bee’s Boccia Team, Arbour Vale from Berkshire and two teams from Slated Row from Buckinghamshire The competition was only for under 19’s with physical disabilities, and the national finals will be held on the 21st March 2013.

via Stoke Mandeville Stadium plays host to the Boccia Central Region Championships – Venues.org.uk.

Boccia England

International Referee Chris Fitzgerald takes charge of his 1st #Boccia match of the season

via (3) Timeline Photos.

About The Sport Of Boccia

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.

The performance pathway for Boccia leading to the Paralympics remains purely for those with severe impairment.

If you are interested in taking part in one of our Boccia programmes, please use our Registration Form or Telephone 0115 967 8455.

via Boccia England: Disability Sport.

Big County boccia stars Georgie Williams, a BC3 player, and Innes Martin, who enjoys BC2 status, (pictured) both struck silver in their categories at the Scottish Boccia Championships held at the Peak in Stirling.

Georgie and Innes are members of the Wednesday evening Boccia Club at Live Active (5-6pm).

The lead club coach, Adam Davie, acted as Georgie’s sports assistant at the competition and assistant volunteer coach Catherine Carruthers is a qualified Boccia referee and officiated at matches in the BC1, BC2 and LD classes on the day.

Georgie’s mum was a timekeeper while Innes’s dad acted as her sports assistant.

via Boccia medals for Perth pair – Perthshire Advertiser.

THIRTEEN players who all have an intellectual (learning) disability, met to play the game of boccia on Monday February 25 at Amwell View School and Specialist Sports College in Stanstead Abbotts near Ware. The visiting team from Oasis Academy, Staines Green, Hertford, brought eight players along to play Amwell View School’s team of five players made up of Alex Frankcom, Kym Shepherd, Mitchell Wright, Rachel Dabin and Bradley Pratt.

Head coach of Special Olympics East Herts Boccia Club, Rita Leader said: “The players played five games of 3 v 3 and the final score was 9-1 to Oasis. The team made some new friends, most players were given the opportunity to play, referee and score.

“We are now looking forward to the return match after Easter.”

via Boccia at Amwell View School | Community hub.

Students from John Bentley School gained their first taste of Paralympic sport at a competitive level during the South West Regional Boccia Championships.

Boccia, which became a Paralympic sport in 1984, is a non-contact sport similar to bowls where players aim to throw their balls as close as possible to the target.

Three students at the school competed against 12 other teams in Exeter to win tenth place overall.

via Calne pupils get a taste of paralympic sport (From This Is Wiltshire).

ACCURACY, teamwork and concentration – these are just a few of the qualities Boccia players are learning to master in Dorking.

The Paralympic ball game, pronounced “bot-cha”, has attracted huge numbers of new players since London 2012 with the Dorking Community Project team growing quickly since first offering the sport less than two months ago.

via Dorking Community Project attracting new Boccia players since London 2012 | This is Surrey.

Akers, above, Peake and Cambridgeshire teammates Will Hipwell and Jason Rolph were talent-spotted by Boccia England and have been put forward as possible future Paralympians.

Senior Camboccia players Akers, who is 40, and Hipwell will be aiming for the Rio Paralympics in 2016 and Rolph (14) and Peake (13) will be aiming for the 2020 Paralympics. Akers, who came runner up in the Living Sport Disability Performer Award, was even told by the GB coach “to prepare for Rio”, after Camboccia recently won the Gold in the Boccia England Teams Competition.

Akers has had a fantastic first year in boccia, winning silver in the DSE National Boccia tournament, coming fifth in the individual national finals, and captaining Camboccia to a bronze and a gold in national competitions.

via Alconbury Boccia star Paul Akers is aiming for the Paralympics in 2016 – Sport – Hunts Post.