Welcome to PVA's boccia program page! PVA is proud to host several boccia camps and tournaments each year for athletes of all ability levels. It is a game that requires skill, strategy, and concentration, as players aim to throw/roll balls as close to as possible to a target ball, known as a “jack.” Participants in PVA’s boccia program can look forward to quality coaching, great competition, and forming friendships, while learning and strengthening their skills in the game.

 

What is boccia?

Bocce’s roots stem back to ancient Greece, where players threw large stones at a target. Boccia is the indoor Paralympic version of the outdoor game bocce. Many rules are similar, but the indoor boccia court is shorter and wider than the outdoor bocce court. The boccia balls used for indoor play are leather-covered balls that come in various densities, from soft to hard. Boccia made its Paralympic debut in 1984 when the games occurred in New York. During those Games, ten athletes represented five countries (Canada, Denmark, Great Britain, Portugal, and the United States). 

While the Paralympic Boccia competition is open only to quadriplegics, Paralyzed Veterans of America welcomes Veterans with all types and levels of injuries to our boccia camps.

Upcoming Events

Event
Date
Location
Registration
PVA National Boccia Camp
October 13-14, 2022
San Antonio, Texas
This event has concluded.
New England Boccia Tournament
November 5-6, 2022
West Roxbury, MA
This event has concluded.
West Virginia Boccia Tournament
December 3-4, 2022
Charleston, WV
This event has concluded.
Bayou Boccia Tournament
February 4-5, 2023
Gulfport, MS
This event has concluded.
Gateway Boccia Tournament
March 17-19, 2023
St. Louis, MO
This event has concluded.

Resources

Please visit the links below for additional information.

Paralympics & Governing Body

 

Equipment & Supplies (Boccia balls, ramps, head pointers, etc.)

For more information, contact Boccia Program Manager John Arbino:

To find out more or to sign up for a Boccia Clinic, contact John Arbino at JohnAr@pva.org or 202-416-6463.