
This sport, which many people know as a recreational game, has established itself as a high-quality competitive sport for people with severe physical disabilities thanks to specially developed balls and rules.
Boccia not only offers those affected exercise, but also one of the few opportunities to play sport at an international competitive level. Austrian athletes have already taken part in world and European championships as well as the Paralympics in Atlanta, Sydney and Athens - proof of the athletes' motivation and ambition.
A sport that challenges body and mind
But boccia is much more than just a competition. For people with cerebral movement disorders, this sport represents an enormous physical and mental challenge. During the game, maximum concentration, body control and coordination skills are required to place the ball accurately. At the same time, tactical thinking plays a key role: planning ahead, understanding the rules and strategic moves are the difference between winning and losing.
This combination of motor control and mental performance makes boccia not only a therapeutically valuable activity, but also a truly challenging sport.
Rotary Club Schärding and its commitment to boccia
The Rotary Club of Schärding first came into contact with the sport of boccia in 1997, when the national championships were held in Schärding. The potential of this sport was quickly recognised - not only as an opportunity to provide financial support, but also to make a significant contribution to the tournament events through active involvement. Together with Sparkasse Oberösterreich as co-sponsor, boccia was seen as a "hands-on" project right from the start: Members of the Rotary Club helped as line judges, ball boys and timekeepers to ensure the smooth running of the competitions.
Over the years, some Rotary members even qualified as nationally certified boccia referees in order to be able to help even more specifically. Today, the focus of the commitment is on the function of timekeeper, where the athletes' throwing times are measured - an essential part of the competition.
An experience that moves
This annual event not only means a lot to the athletes, but also to everyone involved. Experiencing such a tournament live is a special experience. The energy, ambition and enthusiasm of the athletes are inspiring and show impressively how much power and passion there is in this sport. For many of those involved in the organisation and implementation, it changes the way they look at their own challenges.
