Survey highlights the strengths, challenges and development priorities of Boccia England’s Member Club network
Earlier this year, Boccia England conducted its 2026 Member Club Survey to gain a better understanding of the clubs that make up its national network, celebrate their successes and identify the challenges they currently face.
The survey explored seven key areas – governance, membership, community and inclusion, workforce, facilities and equipment, safeguarding, and resources and support.
Following analysis of the responses, Boccia England is pleased to share the headline findings from this year’s survey.
2026 Member Club Survey – headline findings
- 10 years – the average length of time Boccia England Member Clubs have been established.
- 18 members – the average membership of a Member Club.
- 1 in 3 clubs engage with their local school.
- 100% of clubs have a safeguarding policy in place.
- 81% of clubs train at least once a week.
- 63% of clubs have a committee.
- 77% of clubs have a written constitution.
- 37% of clubs have grown their membership over the past year.
- 60% of clubs believe they are visible within their local community.
- 4 volunteers and 1 paid member of staff support the running of the average Member Club. Of these, an average of two are disabled people.
- 94% of clubs do not own their own venue.
- 86% of clubs have engaged with resources or support provided by Boccia England.
- 77% of clubs are satisfied or very satisfied with the support provided by Boccia England.
An infographic view of the findings can be viewed here.
A short video version of the findings can also be viewed here.
Understanding the challenges facing clubs
Alongside the many positive findings, the survey provided valuable insight into the challenges currently facing Boccia England’s Member Club network.
The most commonly identified challenges included:
- Fundraising and financial sustainability
- Recruiting and retaining volunteers
- Attracting new members
- Increasing costs of transport and venue hire
- A small number of people carrying responsibility for running the club
These findings provide an important insight into the realities faced by clubs across the country and will help Boccia England ensure that future support is focused on the areas where it can have the greatest impact.
Turning insight into action
The findings from the 2026 Member Club Survey will play an important role in shaping Boccia England’s work with clubs over the coming year, with a particular focus on sustainability, growth and development.
As a Partner Hub within Sport England’s Buddle Programme, Boccia England will use the findings to inform its Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme for Member Clubs.
Over the next 12 months, Boccia England and Buddle will work together to deliver a programme of online workshops and develop a range of practical resources responding directly to the needs identified through the survey.
The aim is to provide clubs with practical support that helps them become more sustainable, strengthen their workforce, grow their membership and continue to provide safe, welcoming and high-quality boccia opportunities within their local communities.
By supporting Member Clubs to thrive, Boccia England can help more people of all ages and abilities to experience the benefits of boccia and, ultimately, improve the lives of more disabled people through one of the world’s most inclusive sports.
Thank you to our Member Clubs
Boccia England’s Clubs & Groups Development Officer, George Bollands, said:
“On behalf of Boccia England, I would like to extend my warmest thanks to everyone who took the time to complete the 2026 Member Club Survey on behalf of their boccia club.
“Your engagement and honest feedback has been invaluable in helping us better understand our Member Clubs and the needs of the network. The findings will help us to provide more targeted and practical support, enabling our clubs to continue developing and delivering boccia within communities across the country.
“We look forward to working with our Member Clubs over the coming year to turn these findings into action and support the continued growth and development of boccia across England.”
If you have any questions or would like more information about the findings from Boccia England’s 2026 Member Club Survey, please contact George Bollands, Clubs & Groups Development Officer, via gbollands@bocciaengland.org.uk or 07809 336321.
