Disability Action Yorkshire Highlights Accessibility of Sport
Boccia Player and Disability Action Yorkshire resident, Nick Moxon
Disability Action Yorkshire is highlighting the benefits of having access to sport and the potential that sporting activity has to make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities.
The Harrogate-based not-for-profit charity and social enterprise firmly believes sport is for everyone including people with disabilities and has a major positive impact by boosting the health and well-being of participants and supporting social interaction.
A player’s eye view of boccia
Now the charity is focussing on the sport of boccia – an indoor version of boules – after it was taken up with great enthusiasm by one of the residents at its Claro Road care home.
Nick Moxon says he loves the inclusivity of boccia. He says: “It's a really accessible sport and I love the social aspect to it too. I saw boccia being played for the first time at the Rio Paralympics and it was amazing to see a sport that I could play. It really inspired me to get involved."
Nick, who has been disabled since birth, uses a powered chair. Before Covid, he played two or three boccia tournaments a year, displaying a steely determination to win and not just take part. However, he does add that it is important to lose with dignity.
He believes the sport is unique because of its accessibility for disabled people and believes it needs greater recognition and more publicity. His next event is a tournament in November when he will be playing in honour of his best friend who he met through boccia but sadly is no longer with us.
Boccia has been a paralympic sport since 1984. It is designed for people with cerebral palsy and is an excellent sport for rehabilitation as it is good for the fingers and for dexterity. It can be played competitively as a team, pair or individual.
The national governing body for the sport, Boccia England, says it is totally inclusive and can be played by anyone regardless of age, gender, ability or disability, believing it is the only sporting option for many severely disabled and older people with limited motor skills.
Disability Action Yorkshire chief executive Jackie Snape said: “We cannot underestimate the value of sport for disabled people as a way to enjoy an active and social life.”
She continues: “Boccia does the job perfectly and we totally admire Nick for the way he dedicates time and effort to not only playing the sport but enjoying all the benefits.”
Disability Action Yorkshire was established in 1937 and is a charity and social enterprise, providing services that create opportunities for disabled people to live the lifestyle of their choosing and achieve their life aspirations.
It is committed to the development of new services where there is a need, and where it believes that it has the ability and resources to meet that need.
For more information about Disability Action Yorkshire, and the services it can provide, please visit the website at www.disabilityactionyorkshire.org.uk.
Boccia England has the most comprehensive resources about the sport and more information is available on its website at www.bocciaengland.org.uk where details of local clubs can be found.
Harrogate's boccia club meets every Wednesday from 4-5.30pm at the Fairfax Community Centre on Fairfax Avenue.