BOCCIA BLAST 2026

All the action for BB26 (3rd year in Sauga) is at Burnhamthorpe CC from June 25 - 28th.

Boccia is a Paralympic Sport

A derivative of the sport of Bocce. Boccia is played by athletes with motor skill challenges. The primary objective is to throw leather balls as close to the jack as possible. There are four classifications, three of which are for players with cerebral palsy. It is practiced in more than 50 countries today.

Boccia is played indoors on a flat, smooth surface. The players propel leather balls (six per competitor) as close as possible to a white target ball (called the “jack”) on a long, narrow field of play. A match has four ends. At the end of the game players receive one point for each ball closer than their opponents’ to the jack.

Boccia Blast 2026 - Opening Ceremonies

The Tournament kicks off on Friday June 26 at 10:00am in the rink.

June 2026 - Community Challenge - ParticipACTION

Check out the action at Boccia Blast 2026

Classification:

Players are classified into four classes depending on their functional ability:

BC1: For both CP1 throwers and CP2 foot [AK1] players (who choose to push the ball with the foot). Athletes may compete with the help of an assistant, who must remain outside the athlete’s playing box. The assistant can only stabilize or adjust the playing chair and give a ball to the player on his request.

BC2: For CP2 throwing players. Players are not eligible for assistance.

BC3: For players with a very involved physical disability. Players use an assistive device and may be assisted by another person who will remain in the player’s box but who must keep his/her back to the court and eyes averted from play.

BC4: For players with other involved physical disabilities. Players are not eligible for assistance.

About Bocce (which is different from Boccia)

Bocce ball originates from ancient games played in the Roman Empire and is particularly popular in Italy. It has since caught traction in North America and is a Special Olympics sport. Bocce balls are made of solid wood or resin. The white "target" ball is much smaller than the other balls. There are four balls per side.

Boccia and Bocce games both start when the target ball/jack/pallina is thrown. The side that threw the jack goes first. Players are allowed to hit the jack with their throws. Once the first

coloured ball has been thrown, the other side has the opportunity to throw. From then on, the side which does not have the ball closest to the jack throws until they have used all of their balls. At that point, the other side goes. The object of the game is for a team to get as many of its balls closer to the jack than the opposing team's closest ball.