Boccia was originally predominantly played by people with cerebral palsy, but has now expanded to include players with other impairments that affect motor skills. All players are required to be seated when releasing the ball, and most play from a wheelchair. Players can throw, kick or use a ramp to get the ball closest to the jack (white ball).
Boccia is one of the world’s fastest growing and most inclusive sports and at Paralympic level. Boccia is one of only two sports which do not have an Olympic counterpart - Goalball being the other.
Who can compete?
• Boccia is for players with a significant physical impairment
• Players are required to submit medical reports and meet the minimum impairment criteria in order
to compete in Paralympic sport classes of BC1, BC2, BC3 & BC4
BC1
Players in this class propel the ball with the hand or foot. They may compete with the help a sport assistant. BC1 players have a disability of cerebral origin. Eligible impairment types include:
- Severe Neurological Impairment affecting all four limbs
- Spasticity ASAS Grade 3-4 with or without Athetosis
- Limited functional range of movement and/or limited functional strength in all extremities and trunk
- An athlete with severe Athetosis or Dystonia with limited functional strength and control (scores 3-4)
- Severe Ataxia limiting coordination, grasp and release (scores 3-4)
BC2
Players in this class throw the ball with the hand. They are not eligible for assistance. BC2 players also have a disability of cerebral origin but are less affected than players in the BC1 classification. Eligible impairment types include:
- Neurological Impairment affecting all four limbs (Cerebral Palsy/Stroke/Acquired Brain Injury)
- Spasticity ASAS Grade 2-3 with or without Dyskinesia (Athetosis/Dystonia)
- OR an athlete with Dyskinesia (Athetosis) DIS score 2 or Ataxia
SARA scores 2-3 mostly 3’s.
BC3
Players in this class have very severe locomotor dysfunction in all four limbs. Players in this class have no sustained grasp or release action and although they may have arm movement, they have insufficient range of movement to propel a Boccia ball onto the court. They may use an assistive device such as a ramp to deliver the ball. BC3 players compete with the help of a sport assistant, called a Ramp Operator or RO. ROs must keep their back to the court and their eyes averted from play at all times and are not permitted to influence the athletes decision making or shot selection. Eligible impairment types include:
- Neurological impairment resulting in Spastic Hypertonia, Dyskinesia: Athetosis/Dystonia and Ataxia.
- Impaired muscle power, Impaired range of motion (with impaired muscle power), Limb deficiency.
BC4
Players in this class have severe locomotor dysfunction of all four limbs. They can demonstrate sufficient dexterity to throw the ball onto the court. Players are not eligible for assistance. Eligible impairment types include
- Muscular Dystrophy (myopathies with overall strength 03/05 or less)
- Spinal cord lesion of upper cervical spine
- Spinal Muscular Atrophy
- Spina Bifida
- Motor Neuron Disease
- Transverse Myelitis
- Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
- Arthrogryposis
- Other conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis, TARS Syndrome, Juvenile Arthritis, Osteogenesis Imperfecta
- Limb loss/Limb Deficiency of all 4 limbs with a very high level of amputation more than 1/3 of the upper limb above the elbow and ½ of the lower limb amputated above the knee that influence the trunk stability
Players who do not meet the minimum impairment criteria for Paralympic Classification can compete in all Australian events in a Boccia Australia Inclusion Classes:
BC5
Players whose impairments are not severe enough to allow them to play in the BC2 or BC4 Classification.
OPEN
Athletes who are classified as NE (Not Eligible) under the BISFed classification rules. They will have a physical disorder of limbs including neurological impairment affecting the CNS, locomotor dysfunction of Non-Cerebral origin such as muscular skeletal disorders and / or limb deformities
Please note, the information above is a guide only.
