Taster session to be held for Paralympic sport

A free taster session is on Monday night to mark National Boccia Day.

Boccia (pronounced bot-cha) is a Paralympic sport with no Olympic equivalent and is similar to bowls.

The game is played on a flat, smooth surface, usually indoors, with a court the size of a badminton court.

It’s a mixed-gender sport that can be played individually or as a team. Although it’s designed for people with a disability, anyone can play and a classification system operates at competitive level so that players compete at a similar level of ability.

From a seated position, players propel balls to land as close as possible to a white marker ball, known as the Jack. Two sides compete as individuals, pairs or as a team of three over a set number of ends.

Each side plays six balls (red or blue) each end. After each end, the athlete, pair or team with the ball closest to the jack receives one point plus an additional point for each ball closer to the jack than their opponent’s.

Points are accumulated over the course of a match to find a winner. Although simple to get started, the tactics of the sport offer both tension and excitement as the game plays out.

The session will be held at KGS Sports Centre, 5.30pm–6.30pm.

Contact Joanne Cairns to book or for more information on 873535, ext 2443, or joanne.cairns@orkney.gov.uk.