Boccia is one of the world’s most inclusive sports, created specifically for athletes with high support needs and offering a genuine pathway to belong, compete and excel. On International Day of People with Disability, Sport Integrity Australia highlights how Boccia Australia has a strong integrity culture, safeguarding practices and a deeply supportive community are making the sport safer and more accessible for some of Australia’s most vulnerable athletes.
From Paralympian Daniel Michel finding a sport “for people exactly like me”, to coaches, referees and volunteers who prioritise safety, education and respect, boccia shows what is possible when a sport is built for inclusion from the start. Events such as national championships and international tournaments on home soil are opening doors for more athletes to participate without the significant barriers of long-distance travel.