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By Chuck N. Baker
(Las Vegas) Boccia is a game of strategy and accuracy that was originally designed to be played by people with cerebral palsy. Now, the sport includes athletes with impairments that affect motor skills.

Last month in Las Vegas, the Paralyzed Veterans of America, Nevada Chapter held a Boccia tournament. According to Jason Stubbeman, a certified game referee, “Boccia is one of the few sports that provides a competitive outlet for individuals with moderate to severe cerebral palsy.” He added, “It allows these individuals to gain independence and motivation.”

Dan Kaminski is the President of the local Paralyzed Veterans. The former Navy Petty Officer said, “Anything we can think of we’ll do to get the disabled vet more active and out into the community . . . like this Boccia tournament.”

Patrick Wahrer is the instructor for adaptive sports at the Parks and Recreation facility in Las Vegas where the tournament was held. “I love the sport and enjoy the diversity of it, especially seeing how enthusiastic the participants are,” he said. An example is Marine veteran Leon Bostick, who explained he has been playing adaptive sports for quite some time. Bostick said, “I really enjoy the game of Boccia, which I’ve been playing for over a year now.”

The basic game is relatively simple. Whether standing or sitting in a wheelchair, it involves tossing a ball down a designated alley, much like traditional bowling. But the ball must be thrown from a gripped hand — it has no holes for fingers. Boccia is a Paralympic sport that can be played individually, or by a two-man team or three-man team. Each side receives six colored balls (red, white or blue) with red always throwing first. The object is to get as close to the white “jack” ball as possible. According to the sanctioned organization USABoccia, a thrower who gets close to the white ball, “kisses” it.

The Paralyzed Veterans use Boccia ball as part of its mission. That mission is to improve the quality of life for veterans with spinal cord injury/dysfunction and for the disabled community overall. Through outreach, health and wellness services and sports programs, the organization provides veterans what is needed to have them remain active members of the community.

For more information on the Paralyzed Veterans, Nevada Chapter, check out their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/ParalyzedVeteransOfAmericaNevadaChapter/