Once a month, the Disability Resource Centre (DRC) hosts a boccia evening for its community to come together and enjoy a friendly, inclusive sport.

The sessions are run in partnership with Jo Jackson from Parafed Bay of Plenty, who helps ensure all players have a positive and engaging experience.

Boccia is a bowls-style game where competitors aim to get their team’s-coloured balls closest to a white target ball known as the “jack”.

The player or team with the closest ball wins.

The sport is played internationally, including at the Paralympic Games.

The DRC also runs weekly boccia and other activities every Friday at 1pm at the RSA.

As an adaptive sport, boccia is designed to suit a wide range of abilities.

Some players use assistive equipment such as ramps or glide pipes to help deliver the ball.

A variety of balls are available, some heavier and designed to roll, while others are lighter and stay where they land, ensuring everyone has a fair chance to participate.

Jesse Wiltshire from the DRC, who co-runs the boccia nights alongside Ms Jackson, said the game was easy to learn and accessible to all.

“The game is so easy to pick up; it’s really anyone’s game,” he said.

New Zealand has previously had athletes compete in boccia at the Paralympics.

Parafed Bay of Plenty also offers other activities, including ten-pin bowling and badminton, in Rotorua and Tauranga, with hopes to expand further into the Whakatāne region.

This month’s boccia evening will take place on Wednesday, May 13.

These sessions are open to people with physical or intellectual disabilities, and family members are encouraged to attend and join in.