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Posted by Francis Whitehead on August 28, 2024
This year marks the return of the Paralympic Games, with more than 4,000 athletes from 184 different countries competing in over 500 events across 22 different sports. (That’s a lot of numbers!)
The city with the pleasure of hosting this year’s events is Paris, which hosted last year's Para Athletics World Championships too. They’re no stranger to the Games, with them previously hosting in 1900 and 1924, making them only the second city to host them three times!
The Paralympic Games will begin on Wednesday 28th August, ushered in by the opening ceremony with athletes parading through the city centre.
This is where you might find their Olympic mascots, Les Phryges! They are modelled on the red "Phrygian" caps worn during the French Revolution of 1789, when the monarchy was overthrown. The Paralympic Phryge is seen with a running blade and is the first mascot to have a visible disability, a real milestone for the disabled community.
But of all these various events, what’s one of the lesser-known and very fun sports featured in this year’s Paralympics?
What else but Boccia? Boccia (pronounced bot-cha) is a similar concept to how we play boules and has no Olympic counterpart. Forms of it have existed for years, with its roots in ancient Greece and Egypt, however it was first introduced as an official Paralympic sport in 1984. Since then, it has become a firm favourite as an accessible sport for people of all abilities.
To keep competition fair, athletes are streamed into 4 different categories based on their individual ability, BC1 through BC4.
Played from a seated position, participants aim to propel their team-coloured Boccia balls as close to a central white marker, called the Jack, as possible.
Each side delivers six balls per end, either red or blue in colour. At the conclusion of each end, the player, pair, or team with the closest ball to the jack earns one point, along with an additional point for every subsequent ball closer to the jack than their opponent's. These points accumulate throughout the match to determine the victor.
Participants who are unable to roll the boll with their hands can also use a specially designed Boccia ramp.
And if that’s too much to take in, why not look at this handy instructional video?
Success in Boccia requires a combination of precision, strategy and skill. Players must carefully consider their positioning, angles and speed when delivering their balls in order to outmanoeuvre their opponents and secure points. It's a game of strategy and finesse, where every move counts towards victory.
Boccia may seem simple at first glance, but it is a game that requires a high level of skill and concentration. Players must not only have the physical ability to deliver their balls accurately but also the mental acuity to strategise and outwit their opponents. It's a test of both physical and mental prowess, making it a truly challenging and rewarding sport.
Next time you watch a game of Boccia, take a moment to appreciate the skill and strategy behind each move. It's a sport that demands precision, focus and determination, making it a truly unique and captivating experience for both players and spectators alike.
Representing Great Britain this year in the Paralympics is a plethora of new and familiar faces:
Three-time Paralympic champion David Smith OBE and reigning world champion Claire Taggart are among the names representing us at the Games this August.
Regarding her selection to represent Team GB, Taggart said: “I’m delighted to be selected to compete at my third Paralympic Games in Paris. It’s a huge opportunity to compete in front of family and friends, as Paris is so close. I’m really excited as well as a bit nervous!”
Accomplished athlete David Smith OBE said: “I’m really excited for my fifth Paralympic Games and it will be great to play in front of a crowd again, after the Tokyo Games was limited by Covid. While I do love playing individually, the team event has always been a strong passion of mine. The team medal was my first at a Paralympics, so it’s kind of where I learned my craft. Our team then went into a bit of a transition, so it’s always been my ambition to return us to where we were.”
The first set of matches takes place on Thursday 29th August. We at Ability Superstore want to wish Team GB the best of luck in the competition and look forward to the games!
Now that you know how to play Boccia, why not give it a go yourself? We’re proud to stock a wide range of authentic Boccia balls and kits with everything you need to play.
Our supplier of authentic Boccia balls, the very same used in official competitions like the Paralympics, is a Danish company called Handilife Sports/
They have producing Boccia balls since the 1980’s, when a group of Scandinavian athletes with disabilities needed a more reliable and consistent ball to use. Since then, they have been used in all official competitions since, and for good reason!
To begin with, their quality is simply astounding, with their top of the range Superior Competition Set made from premium soft Japanese synthetic leather with great durability. You can choose the firmness of your set, ranging from Soft to Medium to Hard.
Their Standard Set is nothing to be sniffed at either, with their weight and size still adhering to international standards.
And for other ways to play indoors and outdoors, there’s the Mini Boccia set for tabletop games, and the Lawn Boccia set with solid, moulded balls.
We also have accessories for players with all abilities, such as the Boccia ramp.
For a true authentic game feel, we even have Boccia referee paddles, tape measures, measuring plates, and passing gates!
If you think Boccia is the sport for you, you’ll be pleased to know that there are plenty of ways you can get involved. For example, you can make new friends and be part of a team by joining a club here.
The website has details of existing clubs as well as information on how to get involved with coaching and volunteering. It even has guidance on how to go about setting up and funding your own boccia club – although that might be a bit of a leap if you’re new to the game!
