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Boccia World Cup 2011 Government Launch
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Boccia is a Paralympic sport designed specifically for athletes with a disability. It is one of only three Paralympic sports that does not have an Olympic counterpart. It is a target ball sport with similarities to boules, petanque, bowls and even curling. The aim of the game is simple; to get your balls closer to the white ‘jack’ ball than your opponent. The game can be played as an individual, in pairs or as a team (three a side). In all formats one side has six red balls and the other six blue. The team that throws the jack then throws the first ball Their opponent then throws, trying to get closer. Play continues with the side who is not closest to the jack playing until all balls have been thrown. Points are then awarded for every ball the side that is closest to the jack has nearer than their opponents closest ball.
Boccia is an intensely tactical and skilful sport. A successful player needs the accuracy of a darts player, the geometric precision of a snooker star and the ability to plan several shots ahead like a chess Grandmaster. At first glance it seems sedate but the spectator swiftly gets drawn in by the ebb and flow of the game. One ball can change the game completely and the tension can sometimes be unbearable.
At Paralympic level the game is divided into four classifications. Classification exists in disability sport so that athletes compete against others with a similar level of functional ability. Players in the BC1, BC2 and BC4 classifications throw the ball onto court whereas the BC3 class use an assistive device called a ramp. All Boccia athletes have a disability that affects the strength and coordination in all four of their limbs and all competitors play their shots from their wheelchairs.
The pinnacle of the sport is the Paralympic Games. There are three major Competitions in between Games that act as qualification events. The World Cup is the last of these events and is the final opportunity for athletes to earn vital ranking points. There is also the chance for countries to earn the right to call themselves the best Boccia nation in the World!
No one country had a monopoly on medals in the last Paralympic Games in Beijing in 2008. Korea and Brazil won two Golds apiece while Portugal, Hong Kong and Great Britain won one each. Great Britain’s Gold came in the Team event, where David Smith, Nigel Murray, Dan Bentley and Zoe Robinson combined to defeat defending champions Portugal in the final.
Dan and Zoe attended the launch of the World Cup in Stormont in March and will be lining up at the World Cup in the Team event and the Individual BC2.
Dan is currently ranked 14th in the World in the Individual BC2 category. He took up the sport at College when he was 16 and by 21 had won a European Silver medal in the Team event. Dan combined his athletic career with a degree in Graphic Design at Portsmouth University and now works freelance around his training. Dan hails from Essex and when he’s not training or working he supports West Ham United and also follows Lewes Football Club in the lower leagues. Dan is an increasingly consistent Boccia player who can often play the magic shot that is the difference between winning and losing. He has a number of team medals but a strong World Cup could see him in contention for an Individual medal in London.
Zoe was just 18 when she won Gold as part of the team in Beijing. Three years down the line she has matured and is a stronger all round player. She works hard on her fitness and has the most powerful shot in the team. She started playing at a multi-sports club in her home town of Bury and swiftly progressed through to the English National Championships where she was scouted by GB Boccia who were on the lookout for talented female athletes. Outside of Boccia Zoe’s passion is watching boxing and she is good friends with many British boxers including Olympic Bronze medallist Paddy Barnes.
