Boccia celebrated at Gainsborough Sports Centre in Ipswich

National Boccia Day was celebrated in an event organised by ActivLives, a charity, at Gainsborough Sports Centre on Wednesday, September 25.

Forty-four players from across the region attended the day and taking part in boccia skills training, team challenges and a mini tournament to round the day off. 

Boccia is a target sport with similarities to bowls and curling. It is played sitting down - making it accessible to anyone, although is mostly playing amongst paralympic athletes. 

“I came today with my 17 years old son. He was anxious at the start but soon settled in and he has thoroughly enjoyed it," a parent of a player said.

"Brilliant atmosphere, it has been lovely watching everyone enjoying themselves and just having fun."

The event was held at Gainsborough Sports Centre last week (Image: Archant) The sport is one of three at this year's Paralympic games that did not have an Olympic equivalent - with Team GB's Stephen McGuire winning a gold medal. 

Boccia England, which is the main association overseeing the sport, praised ActivLives for the event for bringing new players to the sport and thanked all who took part.

Will Evans, head of sport at Boccia England, said: "We are delighted that ActivLives is organising a big boccia bash.

The balls in Boccia are either thrown, kicked or pushed down a ramp (Image: ActivLives)"We firmly believe that boccia is the most inclusive sport in the world and this event is a great way to show that off. We would urge anyone interested to give it a try - we know you will love it."

The sport is played between two sides, either individuals or teams who take it turn to propel a red or blue ball as close to a target white ball, called the jack ball, as they can.