Precision and strategy: Boccia athletes set to shine in Chicagoland Regional Tournament
When boccia athletes take the court, silence hangs in the air. A ball is released, rolling with careful calculation, every inch of distance measured in the player’s mind. Then comes the cheer — precise strategy meeting athletic skill in a sport where power, finesse, and focus matter equally.
On Sept. 27-28, spectators will have the chance to witness this blend of intensity and artistry as the Chicagoland Regional Boccia Tournament comes to Elmhurst University’s RA Faganel Hall.
The event is hosted by Synergy Adaptive Athletics, a program of the Western DuPage Special Recreation Association (WDSRA), in partnership with USA Boccia.
This year’s tournament will feature a mix of seasoned competitors and rising stars, including athletes from the local SAA Boccia Team — some of whom have already earned recognition at the national and international levels.
For Phil Eide, athletics manager for SAA/WDSRA, the excitement never fades. “This tournament is always a great event because the athletes pull off some truly impressive shots,” Eide said. “First-time volunteers and spectators are always amazed by the precision and strategy that go into every throw. It’s also a wonderful entry point for new players and families to experience what boccia is all about.”
Veterans find a new arena
Among the athletes will be local veterans who discovered boccia through a partnership launched between SAA and the Vaughan Chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America (VPVA). The collaboration opened doors for veterans to train and compete alongside other adaptive athletes. For some, it has meant finding a new competitive outlet; for others, it has been about community and connection.
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Event Details
Chicagoland Regional Boccia Tournament
Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 27-28
RA Faganel Hall, Elmhurst University, 221 Walter St., Elmhurst, IL
What is boccia?
Pronounced BOC-cha, boccia is played on an indoor court by wheelchair athletes. Competitors throw or roll balls to land as close as possible to a white target ball called the jack. Scoring is based on whose balls finish closest.
Originally created for athletes with cerebral palsy, the sport now welcomes athletes with a variety of physical disabilities. Since debuting as a Paralympic sport in 1984, boccia has grown worldwide, now played in more than 50 countries.
More than a game
For athletes at SAA, boccia is more than competition. It’s about confidence, friendships, and living life to the fullest. Alongside boccia, SAA offers adaptive sports such as archery, rock climbing, VI bowling, and wheelchair basketball — all designed to open doors and create community.
As Eide puts it, boccia is “a sport that surprises people — they come expecting a quiet game and leave inspired by the intensity, the strategy, and the athletes themselves.”
The public is invited to attend and cheer on the competitors. First-time spectators are especially encouraged to see the sport in action.
To learn more about WDSRA and Synergy Adaptive Athletics, visit www.wdsra.com.