Who better to prepare and train SO Suffolk Boccia players to take part in the SOGB National Summer Games than Evie, a two-time Paralympian, previously competing for Team GB in Boccia in the Rio and Tokyo Paralympic Games?! She is an incredibly skilled Boccia player, a Patron of Special Olympics Suffolk and is a member of the Active Suffolk Board.

Evie is no stranger to competing in high level events having played Boccia in Rio and Toyko before deciding to retire in 2022. On her sporting journey, she collected four golds, five silvers and three bronzes at World and European levels.

Evie explained that not many people have heard about Boccia.  It is similar to the sport Bowls but played with softer balls.

The objective of the game is to get your ball closest to the jack (the white ball). Each person takes it in turns to throw a ball to either get close to the jack or knock their opponents ball away from it.

Players take it in turns to throw the jack first. Then the two regular balls are thrown, after this the opponent who is farthest away from the jack throws next. The team closest and the most balls surrounding the jack wins and the number of balls is added up to the score.

Athletes can throw using their arms legs and when needed an assisted ramp.

The sport is played completely mixed. And can be played in individuals, pairs or up to teams of three.

The individual competition consists of four ends and six balls per player per end, whilst paired competition is four ends and six balls per pair per end (three per player). Team competition is six ends, and six balls per team per end (two per player).

Evie will be getting the seven strong SO Suffolk Boccia squad in shape for the National Summer Games in Sutton Coldfield in August with the support of experienced coach Mike McCarthy.

Huge thanks to Evie and mike and good luck to all at the NSG!