Boccia - the ultimate mind game?

Just like any other sportsperson at the top of their game, our Boccia UK athletes are supported by a team of professionals. And anyone tuning into Channel 4 to watch David Smith win gold at the Tokyo Paralympics would understand that psychology is key to our success.

We sat down with Andrew Evans – Boccia UK’s Performance Psychologist from the English Institute of Sport – to find out more about what makes a great boccia player.

 Boccia is a psychologically demanding sport. Players must be able to make effective decisions, focus their attention, and execute their shots under pressure.

Since February 2020, I have worked with players, assistants and staff at Boccia UK to provide performance psychology and mental health support. There has been a real appetite amongst the squad to develop and consolidate their psychological knowledge, skills and abilities for wellbeing and performance.

We have had some superb performances in the last 12 months. Scott McCowan finished fourth in the individual BC3 competition after producing a string of excellent performances while David Smith of course won gold in the individual BC1 competition and, in doing so, became the most successful Boccia player from the UK.

Psychologically, there are many things that makes David Smith a world-class Boccia player. First and foremost, he loves competing. David also gets a real kick out of being able to see and then execute shots that others cannot.

What I find most impressive about David is his ability to completely change the flow of a match. His utter conviction and mastery over what he is doing on court allows him to deliver shots when they matter most.

Our calendar of major events is usually well spaced out but the impact of Covid meant that following the Tokyo Paralympic Games we were straight into the European Championships in Seville in November. We were delighted to return with two golds from David and Stephen McGuire as well as a silver from Claire Taggart.

Claire and Stephen are hugely talented and brilliant role models for any aspiring Boccia player. They are committed to their craft and care immensely about the development of those around them. Both players are considered in their approach, thoughtful and analytical; qualities that apply to a variety of situations within Boccia.

As well as playing individually, we also have Team and Pairs events and the squad really progressed throughout the Tokyo Paralympic cycle. Each team has developed their communication, increased their understanding of themselves and each other, and formulated very clear modes of thinking and behaviour.

Players, staff, and assistants have been an absolute credit to themselves and the World Class Programme. This time last year we were still in lockdown. We have had players shielding for prolonged periods of time, no international competitions and a reduced amount of World Class Programme Camps. Players trained alone - in their front rooms, in village halls and in barns.

Despite the impact of COVID on training and competition, there was a real sense amongst players and staff that the squad was in the best position it has ever been ahead of the Tokyo Paralympic Games. This is a real testament to not only players, but assistants and staff who have worked tirelessly in their support of players and each other. Boccia UK is in a healthy position, and we all look forward to progressing further within the next Paralympic cycle, towards Paris 2024.