A fantastic day was had by all who attended the Golden Friendships annual Boccia festival. Boccia players from Golden Friendships, Community Connections, and West Dunbartonshire Boccia Club participated in the full day event on Sunday 18th May, 2025. Sports Disability Scotland were also in attendance to offer their support. 44 entrants in total competed throughout the day and a marvellous time was had by all.
A big thank you to Karen and Stephen from Community Connections who worked alongside Golden Friendships founder Jim McLaren to put the event together. A big thank you to all the referees and volunteers who made it a fantastic day for everyone who participated too.
Thanks also goes to Dominoes who generously donated 15 pizzas and Greggs who donated sausage rolls for lunch. You were all winners, here’s to next time!
What is Boccia?
Boccia is a Paralympic sport similar to bowls, where athletes throw, kick, or use a ramp to propel balls onto a court to get closest to a target “jack” ball. It’s designed for athletes with impairments affecting their locomotor function.
The goal is to have your balls closer to the white “jack” ball than your opponent’s balls. Players take turns throwing their six colored balls (red and blue) towards the jack. Points are awarded for each ball that is closer to the jack than the opponent’s closest ball. Boccia is designed for individuals with disabilities, often those who use wheelchairs. Athletes may throw, kick, or use a ramp to propel the balls, depending on their level of impairment and classification within the sport. Boccia is derived from the Italian game bocce and was adapted for disabled athletes in the 1970s.
If you would like to find out more about Boccia at Golden Friendships, please use the button below to access out contact form.
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