Featured in this report: Sports & physical activity
Surveying over 200 current and lapsed players, the study looks at how people first discover boccia, their motivations for playing, and the barriers that can limit long-term involvement.
Findings show that most participants first encounter boccia at school and are motivated by the sport’s accessibility and social benefits. Satisfaction with playing is generally high, but key challenges include a lack of local clubs, limited competitive opportunities for some classifications, and travel distance to suitable facilities. Players also highlighted a need for clearer communication, more promotion to raise awareness, and additional competitions for all ability levels.
Overall, the research reveals strong enthusiasm for boccia but points to practical changes that could help the sport grow – particularly improving access to clubs, creating more chances to compete, and promoting the sport more widely in schools and communities.
