About boccia...

The word ‘boccia’ is derived from the Italian word meaning to bowl, and this family of sports is probably the earliest game ever played by mankind – carvings of Egyptian figures throwing stones have been recorded as early as 5200 BC.

 Today Boccia is a played competitively at national and international level by athletes who require a wheelchair because of their disability. In its current form, Boccia was originally played by athletes with cerebral palsy, but now includes athletes with other disabilities which affect motor skills. Boccia is also widely played as an educational and recreational game, particularly in schools and old peoples’ homes. At Paralympic level, Boccia is one of only two sports which do not have an Olympic counterpart (Goal Ball being the other.)