A 30-minute e-learning workshop to introduce the sport of boccia.

Boccia is an inclusive, tactical and exciting sport which can be adapted to suit any audience or community setting.

Playing boccia improves lives! Learn more about this Paralympic sport and how you can play, coach and support it in your local community on this online course, endorsed by CIMSPA.

Everybody should have the opportunity to play sport and boccia is a totally inclusive sport which can be played by anyone.

This online course will introduce you to boccia and highlight how you can play at your school, sports club, care home or community setting. You’ll learn how boccia can improve lives and make a difference to people from a range of backgrounds.

Introduction to the sport of boccia is your first step towards getting involved in boccia and has be endorsed by CIMSPA and awarded 0.5 points. Created in partnership with UK Coaching this course will help you to: –

• Know more about the sport of boccia
• Identify where and how to play boccia safely
• Try the sport from your own home
• Recognise who might play boccia and understand their motivations for participating
• Gain insight into boccia equipment and know how to adapt this to your setting

TARGET AUDIENCE

Anyone interested in or currently coaching boccia. Suitable for sports coaches, teachers, carers, activity coordinators or volunteers.

DURATION

Comprised of 3 modules this e-learning should take around 30 minutes to complete

COST

£12 payable to UK Coaching via the link below.

Click here to get started

Every child deserves to enjoy playing boccia and engaging in the sport in a safe and supportive environment, where they feel heard, understood, and valued. Developed in partnership with UK Coaching, this interactive face-to-face workshop / online classroom will help you recognise and respond to concerns a child may be experiencing, or be at risk of experiencing, harm, neglect, or abuse. You will learn the importance of person-centred care and taking an individualised approach to your coaching practice that puts the child or young person at the heart of every session. 

Boccia is an inclusive, tactical and exciting sport which can be adapted to suit any audience. The Boccia Leaders Award is a 3-hour workshop to introduce the fundamental skills and knowledge required to deliver boccia within the community.

What does this course cover?

The Boccia Leaders Award features both officiating and coaching boccia. Attendees will learn the basic rules of the sport and how to apply them in a game setting. The coaching element of the workshop introduces attendees to the importance of being a good leader, how to design and adapt boccia activities. Throughout the workshop, attendees will be given the tools to introduce boccia to their clubs and groups while motivating participants to get involved in the sport. The following topics are covered:

• Boccia basics – An introduction to the sport
• Officiating a game – A look at the rules and how to apply them
• Boccia players – An overview of disability awareness and classification
• Coaching boccia – An introduction to creating skills and practices for boccia.

Who is this course for?

Learners must be at least 12 years old (learners under the age of 18 must have a responsible adult present for the duration of the course). Learners should be able to communicate effectively in English. This workshop is a first look at the sport and designed for those with little or no knowledge of boccia. Those who are currently volunteering at boccia clubs but have no formal qualifications will find this workshop to be a great way to refresh and confirm knowledge while providing the skills to progress onto the coaching or officiating qualification pathways. The course is suitable for school students, teachers, community workers, leaders and individual players including those involved with:

• Schools
• Residential homes
• Sports clubs
• Local authorities
• Active Partnerships

What do learners receive as part of the course?

Each learner will receive a hard copy, full colour resource pack and an e-certificate for attendance. Following completion of the course, learners can volunteer within boccia clubs and groups to gain their bronze, silver and gold leadership certificates.

What is the format, duration and capacity of the course?

This is a 3-hour face to face course (primarily practical).
Onward voluntary activity to achieve Bronze (5 hours), Silver (10 hours) and Gold (15 hours) award status if desired. The course caters for a minimum of 14 learners and maximum 18 learners.

What is the cost of organising or attending a course?

The cost to host a course for up to 18 learners is £25 per learner. This includes tutor travel up to a 55-mile round trip.  Any additional travel costs will be payable by the course organiser at 45p/mile.

If you are an individual looking to attend a course, you should check the costs directly with the course organiser.

How do I organise or attend a course?

If you would like to organise a course in your local area, please read through the Organiser’s Guide in full detail, before submitting the Registration of Interest form below.

If you are an individual looking to attend a course, please submit the Registration of Interest form below to be kept up to date with available spaces through Boccia England. You may also want to contact your local training providers or partners such as Active Partnerships, boccia clubs.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTIVES

This course is the first step on the boccia coaching pathway and provides the skills, knowledge and understanding for individuals to plan and deliver boccia sessions. The course focuses on the principles of the plan-do-review model and is designed to support coaches in their onward development. By the end of the course, Learners can expect to:

• Understand the principles of playing boccia
• Understand the principles of the plan, do, review model
• Establish and maintain a safe boccia environment
• Design and deliver a safe, fun and inclusive session
• Prepare and deliver a coached boccia session
• Have the confidence to deliver to individuals and small groups

This course is a prerequisite to attending the UKCC Level 2 Certificate in Coaching boccia.

TARGET AUDIENCE

Suitable for delegates over the age of 16 years old.

Completion of a Boccia Leader’s Award and/or prior knowledge of boccia/ experience of sports coaching, in general, is required.

DURATION / FORMAT

This course is delivered in a blended format to include pre-reading (2 hours), self-guided e-learning (3 hours), virtual classrooms (5 hours) and face to face delivery (8 hours).

CAPACITY

8-12 persons

Fees and booking

£250 per delegate.

WANT TO HOST A COURSE?

Courses are generally hosted by Boccia England only.  If you would like to find out more and receive a tailored quote on hosting your own coaching award please fill in the Registration of Interest form below.

Aim

The 1st4sport Level 2 Award in Coaching Boccia (QCF) is the second qualification on the boccia coaching ladder.  The qualification is designed to provide learners with an opportunity to study and be assessed on both the practical and theoretical aspects coaching boccia.

Leaners will develop an understanding of safe, ethical and effective boccia coaching.  The certificate qualifies learners to coach the skills and techniques of the sport of boccia to adults and children.

OUTCOME

• Understand how to develop participants through coaching sport.
• Support participants’ lifestyle through coaching sport.
• Understand the principles of safe and equitable coaching practice.
• Plan and deliver a series of boccia coaching sessions.
• Prepare the boccia coaching environment.
• Monitor and evaluate boccia coaching sessions.

TARGET AUDIENCE

Qualified Level 1 boccia coaches over the age of 17 years old.

DURATION

This course is a five day programme: 4 days contact time with a tutor and 1 day assessment (9am-5pm).

CAPACITY

8-12 persons

Fees and booking

£500 per delegate.

Please note that this course is only hosted by Boccia England. Upcoming courses will be displayed on this page.

Coach Advance Programme

The Coach Advance Programme is a series of interactive workshops for active boccia coaches.
It is a programme of continuous professional development, aimed at upskilling the boccia coaching community across the UK. Workshops are delivered by a team of experienced boccia coaches/tutors and cover a range of sport-specific and general coaching modules. Previous workshops have included;

• Self Reflection
• Planning
• Developing your skill to develop their skill
• Conditioning and Physical Preparation
• Coaching BC3 Players

Get involved:

The sessions are spread around the country and coaches can register for workshops as they become available (see upcoming courses above). Note – depending on the content, some workshops may hold specific attendance prerequisites.

Coach Advance Award

Within the Coach Advance Programme, there is a formally assessed ‘Award’ element aimed at the development of boccia coaches displaying potential and commitment to progress through the UK Coaching Framework.

Through the programme of blended learning, delegates are required to attend a set series of workshops over a 12 month period, as well as collaborate with a dedicated mentor on a one to one basis.

For upcoming Coach Advance Award courses, please see the ‘upcoming courses’ section above.

AIM

To provide individuals with an understanding of the principles of boccia officiating and to equip delegates with the knowledge and skills to officiate at community leagues and competitions.

OUTCOME

• Explanation of the terminology

• Roles of all those involved

• The equipment used

• Understanding of the competition rules.

TARGET AUDIENCE

Suitable for delegates over the age of 16 with some prior knowledge and experience of boccia.

DURATION & FORMAT

Pre reading prior to the course.
7 hours course (50% practical, 50% theory).
Includes end of course multiple choice test.

CAPACITY

10 people.

COSTS

Variable

WANT TO HOST A COURSE?

Responsibilities

Organisers: Booking an appropriate venue, sourcing equipment and enrolling delegates.  
Boccia England: Provides the tutor, delegate pre-reading and resources and delegate certification.

Requirements

• Sole use of an area large enough for 1 boccia court e.g. sports hall, dance studio.

• Sole use of a classroom environment for theory and discussion e.g. separate room, additional hall or court.

• Tables and chairs

• Parking facilities incl. disabled parking

• Disabled access

• Toilets incl. disabled

Equipment

• A range of PE equipment: balls, hoops, skittles, cones, markers/targets

• A range of referee equipment- 2 red/blue paddles, 2 measuring devices

• Boccia ball sets (min. 2 sets)

• One ramp

• Flip chart, paper and pens

• Laptop

• Projector

Costs and Booking

£450  + tutor expenses (travel costs and accommodation if required)

To register your interest, please fill in the Registration of Interest form below.

OVERVIEW

The Level 2 Award in Officiating Boccia is a series of practical match observations to improve and develop your officiating skills, through mentoring and assessment. The programme can be balanced alongside your usual boccia official volunteering role at Boccia England competitions and is supported by our team of volunteer Officials Developers..

OUTCOMES

• Apply the principles learnt on the Level 1 Award to real match situations.
• Receive one-to-one support and guidance from an experienced boccia official.
• Improve understanding of the game and the application of the rules..

WHO?

Qualified Level 1 Boccia Officials aged 16+ years..

DURATION & FORMAT

The Award is expected to take 1-2 boccia seasons to complete (multiple competitions days) and involves a minimum of 5 mentored boccia matches before a match assessment. There is no formal time limit to complete the Award and is tailored to the individual’s rate of progression. The programme is delivered through Boccia England hosted competitions. .

COSTS AND BOOKING

£50 per delegate. Contact workforce@bocciaengland.org.uk to register.

SUPPORTING RESOURCES

Level 2 Award in Officiating Boccia – Guidelines
Level 2 Award in Officiating Boccia – Criteria
Mentoring Template
Assessment Template

OVERVIEW

The Level 3 Award in Officiating Boccia is an invite only qualification for experienced Level 2 officials looking to progress to their next level of training. Courses are delivered approximately every two years, in conjunction with a National Finals competition.

WHO?

Experienced Level 2 officials.

DURATION & FORMAT

A blended course with a combination of online learning sessions, pre-reading, face to face workshop including theory and practical content. Approximately 15 hours of learning time. The course assessment has both written and practical elements. 

COSTS AND BOOKING

£50 per delegate. Contact workforce@bocciaengland.org.uk to find out when the next course is available.