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A sport of concentration and strategy, the Shirley Ryan ArbilityLab Boccia Program is open to athletes with upper extremity disabilities of all levels of experience — from beginner to advance. Athletes can throw, kick or use a ramp to propel a ball onto the court. The sport of boccia is designed specifically for athletes with a disability affecting locomotor function. Practices follow the Boccia International Sports Federation Rules (BISFed) for play.
Athletes do not need to own their equipment. Shirley Ryan AbilityLab provides BISFed sanctioned ramps and hardness of boccia balls for athletes to use at practice and competition.
Ramp Assistants (RA) and Sport Assistants (SA) are provided for athletes to participate at practice and competitions. Athletes do not need to recruit or provide their own RA or SA to play, unless they elect to do so.
Boccia athletes that qualify have the opportunity to participate in the Metro Boccia Cup circuit of regional competitions. There is no cost to play boccia. Athletes must register and have a current medical form on file with Adaptive Sports in order to participate.
For more details and participation information contact, Kyle Hitzelberg at 312-238-5005 or at khitzelber@sralab.org.