2023 Boccia Australia National Titles

Boccia Australia National Titles (hosted by Sporting Wheelies) is the pinnacle boccia competition in Australia. This event is open to athletes selected to represent their home State, as part of the State teams competition. 

Athletes from across Australia will compete on an even playing field, with junior, senior, male and female athletes competing against each other. The competition is designed to provide athletes with maximum competition opportunities against athletes of a similar ability/classification (not age). Although this is an open competition we strongly encourage junior athletes to embrace the experience competing against an open playing field.

Competition Date & Venue

Friday 10 November – Monday 13 November 2023 

Logan Metro Sports & Events Centre

357 Browns Plains Road, Creastmead QLD 4132

Google Maps Link

 Competition Structure

Preliminary Event Schedule  

 Key Deadlines and Dates

Note: Athlete registration fee payments are due at the time of nomination (via the Sporting Wheelies website).

 Competition Rules

The 2023 Boccia Australia National Titles will be held according to the BISFed International Rules 2021 2024 V2 . You can access the rules updates document via: BISFed International Boccia Rules 2021_2024 (v.2.0) (worldboccia.com). The Boccia Australia Rule Variations will apply; BA Rule Variations.

The original English version of these rules will be applied to resolve situations in which there is doubt or a disagreement regarding the interpretation of a rule.

Technical issues shall be resolved by the Technical Delegate and Head Referee, in accordance with the relevant articles within the rules. NOTE: in accordance with BISFed Rules during the match an athlete/captain may request a ruling from the HR, whose decision is final and the match continues. No further protests can be made.

The finishing position in all pools for each classification will be determined by the athlete that has won the most games. However, if number of games won are the same, positions will be determined by the result of the game against the other athlete. If necessary, the results of the points for and against will be used to determine the positions. For more information refer to the BIS Fed Competition and Ranking Manual 2021 2024.

 Competition Framework

Athlete Eligibility – Individual

It is the responsibility of the State Co-ordinator/Coach to ensure that:

• Each player has a current classification, and that the classification corresponds to the one shown on the Australian Boccia Classification Master list. The State Co-ordinators/Coach must check all details are correct, including classification.
• Each player has a working knowledge of the basic rules of boccia.
• Each player understands this is the premier event in Australia, and competition will be strong.
• Each player has the resilience and strength to participate in a competition of this standard.

Each classification is capped. If that cap is not reached then entries are accepted from independent athletes.

Individual divisions of play: BC1, BC2, BC3, BC4, BC5, and OPEN. Please note that classifications may be merged depending on player entries for each classification.

The number of athletes will be capped at 48 Throwers (i.e. BC1, BC2, BC4, BC5 & Opens) and 16 Ramp players (BC3). Ideally it will be, 16 x BC1 athletes, 16x BC2 athletes, 16x BC3 athletes, 16x BC4/BC5/Open athletes.

State Co-ordinators/Coaches should notify athletes who are not accepted into their state team and wish to attend to submit an Independent athlete registrations (if places are available). Selection of athletes is at the discretion of the State/State Coach responsible for coordinating the State Representative Team. It is important that State Committees/ State Sporting Organisations (SSO’s) ensure that a fair and equitable processes are used that provide an opportunity for all athletes within their State/Territory to qualify to represent their State. This process MUST be managed at the State level and is not the responsibility of Boccia Australia or Sporting Wheelies.

State Teams to BANT

All State co-ordinators/coaches need to be aware of the following information when selecting and nominating their State teams:

• Players of any age may be selected by their State/Territory to compete.
• The maximum number of athletes per State Team is 28 players (as per the breakdown below).
• To maximise competition opportunities, different States may combine to make teams and pairs for the Teams/Pairs competition.
• As this is a National Level Competition it is expected that all athletes must understand and adhere to BISFed rules (including penalties). Selection of athletes is at the discretion of the state delegate / coach responsible for coordinating the State Representative Team.
• It will not be necessary to have a female in each team/pair.
• Each State must provide a Captain armband for the Pairs/Teams competition.
• It will be possible for an athlete to compete only in the individual or only in the pairs/team competition.
• Competition classes for BANT are as follows:

*States who may need to vary the number of athletes in each classification, not exceeding a number of 28 players, should contact Sporting Wheelies as a matter of urgency prior to the 1st of September.

 Classifications

National Classification will be available at BANT in Queensland on Thursday 9 November.

Priority will be given to those players who are already provisionally classified, on the current MASTERLIST and are selected to represent their state team (and competing).

If you have been selected for your state team and need a Provisional Classification prior to Nationals you can request the Provisional Classification & Medical Diagnostic Form classification@boccia.com.au (Brenda Tierney).  All documentation, (Form, Letter from your practitioner and video) will need to be uploaded to your secure online folder that will be provided by Boccia Australia by Friday, 22 September.

If you are unable to provide the required Provisional Classification information by 22 September and are selected for your State team, then you will be allocated the Boccia Australia Inclusion Class (BAIC) of OPEN.

Any remaining available time slots in the National Classification schedule will be allocated to players seeking National Classification, but are NOT competing.

All players are asked to complete the Fundamentals of Classification via Sport Integrity Australia learning portal, prior to attending National Classification.

An Open athlete is someone who has a Level of impairment which doesn’t meet the minimum criteria of any other boccia classification.

Anti-Doping

Athletes attending all Boccia Australia events must comply with the Australian National Anti-Doping Policy, effective from 1 January 2021 (link here)

National level athletes (section 4.4 of the BA ADP) who need to use a prohibited substance or prohibited method for therapeutic reasons are aware that they need to apply to Australian Sports Drug Medical Advisory Committee (ASDMAC) for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) at least 30 days before the Athlete’s next Competition by completing the form with assistance from their doctor available at the following website.

 Registrations

All Registrations to be completed online.

Registration Fee: $500 per athlete.

Please note: all athletes and their ramp operators must be members of Boccia Australia. Membership can be completed at www.boccia.com.au

Register Here (State Team Athletes)

Register Here (Independed Athletes) – link available on Monday the 2nd of October 2023

 Refunds

Competitors wishing to withdraw may receive a full refund up before the registration closing date, there will be no refunds after this date. Please note all withdrawals must be in writing.

Withdrawals due to illness or injury must be accompanied by a medical certificate and supplied to sporting wheelies.

 Presentation Ceremony

The event will conclude with a presentation ceremony on Monday 13 November. Time to be advised

 Accomodation

Quest Hotels are offering a discounted rate to Sporting Wheelies for athletes who are travelling or needing accommodation for events.

The promotional code is: WHEELIES (case sensitive).

Book Here

 Volunteers and Officials

Volunteers and officials are needed to fill various positions for the event. If you can help, please let us know.

Volunteer here

 Meals

Lunches and snacks will be available for purchase from Logan Metro Sports & Events Centre snackbar. Players may bring their own individual meals however as a condition of the venue, it is not appropriate to enter the facility with a large amount of food with intent of catering for a team.

 First Aid

Sporting Wheelies First Aid kit will be available onsite throughout the competition.

 Conditions of Entry

All athletes agree to the terms and conditions as outlines on the registration forms. Athletes must have no outstanding debts to the Sporting Wheelies.

 Spectators

Spectators are welcome to attend the event to support their friends, family, or to watch some Boccia games.

Spectators are asked to respect all athletes, volunteers, officials and event staff, failure to do so will result in the offending person/s to being asked to leave the facility.

 Event Coordinators

Sasha Ulasowski | Team Leader Para Sports & Recreation – Sporting Wheelies
E: Sashau@sportingwheelies.org.au
M: 3253 3333

Angelo Macaro | Para Sports Participation Coordinator – Sporting Wheelies
E: angelom@sportingwheelies.org.au
M: 3253 3333

Matchday
Lisa Hanssens | QLD Head of Referees

Ken Taylor | Event Technical Delegate

 Event Sponsors

Sporting Wheelies wishes to thank our event partner Boccia Australia and major sponsor Coloplast

Thank you to our event Volunteers, Officials & Referees, without whom the event would not be possible.

Important Links

 Wheelchair Leagues

Paralympics Australia