Boccia is played on a flat, smooth surface, where players throw or roll coloured leather balls as close as possible to a white target ball, known as the “jack.”
It’s a game of strategy and accuracy, originally designed to be played by people with cerebral palsy. Now, the sport includes athletes with impairments that affect motor skills.
It is one of only two Paralympic sports that do not have an Olympic counterpart (goalball being the other).
The Borders Boccia Club was formed nearly three years ago, bringing together groups that were already playing in Eyemouth, Galashiels, Hawick and Peebles. Another group in Kelso officially got off the ground in 2016. There are now around 62 people playing boccia with the five clubs in the Borders.
Boccia is a very inclusive sport. Within the local clubs, there are three classifications – physical disability, learning disability and those using assistive devices. Players would usually fall into one of these categories.
But there is always an exception. One of the clubs, for example, has an 86-year-old member playing because it is a sport he can still play!
Neil McMurdo
Eyemouth club member Neil McMurdo explained: “Assistive devices are ramps that a player can use to push a ball down. In the Borders, there are players who require care 24/7 but are able to use a finger to push a ball down the ramp.
“Seeing the reaction from these players when they play a good shot is super.”
Last year, a local league was set up, with Eyemouth winning the inaugural one. Newcomers Kelso won this year’s league.
“The league games are a good way of bringing clubs together, as all games are played at the Queens Leisure Centre in Galashiels,” said Neil. “As well as the competitive edge of playing in the league, it also brings players from different clubs together.”
Anyone who would like to know more about the Borders Boccia Club can contact Neil at
To see boccia played at Paralympic level, just search “Boccia” in YouTube.