Are you looking for a friendly, inclusive and easy to follow game which allows anyone and everyone to have fun? Well Boccia might be the game for you.

What’s this then?

Boccia is an action packed inclusive and sociable game. It can be played in a competitive situation or for fun with people of all ages and abilities.

Hugely enjoyable and easy to learn, the idea of the game of skill and strategy is to throw your balls closest to the ‘jack’, the white ball, to win.

Boccia can be played by people with any disability and it is ideal for athletes in either power or manual wheelchairs, as the main rule of the game is that players must remain seated throughout; ambulant players throw from a chair.

Boccia is a great sport for non-disabled and disabled players to enjoy and play together.

Who can play?

Anyone and everyone - that’s the beauty of Boccia. If players are unable to throw or kick they can use an assistant and a ramp together with various aids for support.

What’s the aim of the game?

The aim of the game is to throw red and blue leather balls as close as possible to a white target ball, or jack.

The jack is thrown first, then the first two regular balls are played, after which the side furthest away from the jack goes next in an attempt to either get closer to the jack or knock the opposition's ball out of the way. The team which the highest number of points wins but it’s the taking part that counts.

What do I need to play?

When you join a Boccia club all the equipment is already there so all you need to bring is yourself and an assistant if you need that extra bit of help.

Boccia is played on a court measuring 12.5 × 6m with 2m of empty space around it so courts can be set up wherever there’s some space, as long as it’s flat.

Where can I play?

Boccia is growing in popularity all the time and there are now clubs all around the country where people can go and get their regular fix of the Paralympic sport.

The wonderful people at Boccia England have a club finder page on their website which will tell you where you need to go to get involved.

Anything else I need to know?

We run our own Boccia club in Leeds every Wednesday at Armley Leisure Centre between 5 and 6pm.

How do I find out more?

Boccia England’s brilliant website has so much more information about a sport without boundaries.

Alternatively if you’d like to attend our Leeds session email boccialeeds@irwinmitchell.com.