By William Moncrieff

 

In 2025, Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) made an application to Aberdeenshire Council’s Sport for Change Fund. The funding would allow SDS – with support from Live Life Aberdeenshire – to deliver a series of boccia sessions in bowling clubs throughout rural Aberdeenshire.

SDS was successful and the funding was put towards a Boccia in Bowling Clubs project, that would allow up to ten bowling clubs across the region to deliver a six-week block of boccia sessions. An opportunity to provide more people with ways of getting active within the community, as well as highlighting the many benefits of boccia.

Audra Booth, Community Hub Officer for North Aberdeenshire, has played a key role in supporting the delivery of this project. She said, “The aim of the project is to allow for retired bowlers, those with mobility issues who are no longer able to play outdoor bowls and even those with injuries to still be able to participate in a bowling type game.  It’s an inclusive activity that the clubs can add to their offer to all ages and abilities within their communities.“

The selected bowling clubs were all provided with two sets of boccia equipment. Furthermore, at least one member from each of the clubs has undertaken their Boccia Leaders Award, delivered by SDS’s Boccia Development Officer, Jonathan Kennedy

“I am very excited for this project. It is a chance to work with rural communities to provide an opportunity to engage in sport throughout the whole year,” Jonathan said.

To showcase the sport of boccia in full flow, an initial taster session was delivered in 2025 in Kintore, to the participating bowling clubs and members of the community. This allowed for a nice introduction to boccia, and it received positive feedback from the community, with many looking forward to the 2026 sessions.

“They said it’s [boccia] great fun, it’s really easy to play once they had been made aware of the rules and everyone really enjoyed it,” Audra said.

For Audra, it is clear the social impact the sessions are going to have.

“I always remember one of the ladies who attended a session from another Boccia project in Udny Green that ran last year. She hadn’t been out of the house or spoken to anyone for over three weeks. Attending the session gave her the opportunity to speak to others, highlighting the impact the activity could have on reducing social isolation and supporting wellbeing.

Jonathan also believes that this project has the potential to have a psychological impact on participants, saying: “This programme can support people to go somewhere local to continue to be active and participate in a sport. Linking in with bowling clubs allows new people to interact with the clubs whilst also experiencing a new sport of boccia.”

Following the initial taster session, it was noticeable that boccia’s inclusivity will result in more individuals being able to participate.

Audra said: “We had a variety of abilities attend the taster session. They ranged from a bowler who had recently had a knee operation, retired bowlers, abled bodied people, and a gentleman in a wheelchair”.

The fact that boccia allows opportunities for everyone to participate is why Jonathan believes it is the perfect activity for the session.

“Being able to have local access to boccia in rural areas, just makes sport more accessible for everyone. Boccia is an inclusive sport and it can be played by anyone so having more opportunities to allow people to compete or be social is vital,” Jonathan said.

Along with the inclusivity of boccia, another key reason why it was selected for the project was due to the sport being suitable for bowling clubs with small facilities.

Audra commented on this, saying: “It’s such an easy game to set up. You don’t require a big space so it’s ideal for bowling clubs that are not able to accommodate an indoor bowling carpet.”

This is something that Jonathan agreed with, commenting: “Some outdoor bowling clubs can’t play through the winter, so this also allows members of the clubs to stay active and engage with the members throughout the winter months.”

Some of the bowling clubs that are hosting the boccia sessions are exploring opportunities to interact and engage with new members. Coffee and boccia afternoons as well as bespoke sessions for women and girls, are some of the ideas being discussed.

Furthermore, one of the bowls clubs is looking at how to interact with members of the community that may not feel comfortable leaving their homes to attend the sessions.

“One of the bowling clubs is going to be going into a sheltered housing complex in their village so that the residents can have a game in their own surroundings. The aim will be to then get them along to the bowling club to play additional sessions where they can socialise and meet new people” Audra explained.

The project is a great example of creating opportunities to connect within the community, especially in a rural setting. Boccia is the most accessible sport that not only gives people the chance to get active but a means to be social in a safe space.

 

To get involved in boccia, or any sport throughout your local area, reach out to your local SDS Regional Development Manager. Alternatively contact SDS’s Boccia Development Officer: jonathan.kennedy@scottishdisabilitysport.com

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