Across Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board, a new sport is sweeping through our gymnasiums, bringing a spirit of fierce competition and total inclusion. Boccia, a highly strategic Paralympic sport, has officially arrived in our schools, offering an equal playing field for students of all abilities.
The momentum was fully on display March 5, 2026, when PECI hosted an exciting Boccia Try It Event facilitated by the Quinte Leatherbacks Boccia Club. The event at PECI brought together 30 students to test their precision, strategy and teamwork, highlighting the incredible impact this sport is having across the district.
What is Boccia?
For those new to the game, Boccia is a co-ed indoor Paralympic sport of control and accuracy, first introduced to the Paralympic program in 1984. Similar in strategy to curling or lawn bowling, Boccia challenges players to propel soft, leather balls filled with beads toward a white target ball known as the "jack". Teams or individuals throw their red or blue balls, aiming to land closer to the jack than their opponents. To ensure fairness and true accessibility, professional Boccia rules require all athletes to play from a seated position.
A star athlete in our own halls
At the heart of our district's growing Boccia community is Tyendinaga Public School student Jaxson Girard, a star athlete and assistant at Boccia Try It Events, who is proving just how far dedication to the sport can take you. A member of the local Quinte Leatherbacks Boccia Club, Jaxson has been playing since April 2024. He quickly dominated the junior division, winning gold in every tournament he entered, before being moved up to compete against adult players.
Recently, Jaxson earned a silver medal at the provincial level and is currently training for a national tournament in Quebec to build his official ranking. His ultimate goal? To represent Canada at the Paralympic Games. When he isn't training, Jaxson is sharing his expertise by acting as a referee at school events, inspiring his peers to give the sport a try.
Expanding access across HPEDSB
The introduction of Boccia to our district has been made possible largely due to the Quinte Leatherbacks Boccia Club, founded by Colleen DeMille, who secured a $9,000 "Take the Shot" grant from Boccia Canada to fund Try-It School Events across HPEDSB. Former HPEDSB principal Grant Montgomery and past graduate Brett Lyons as well as other Quinte Leatherbacks Boccia Club competitors and volunteers have also been instrumental in visiting schools to get younger students involved.
So far there have been Boccia events at seven of our schools, introducing the game to hundreds of students in grades 3 and up. The response has been overwhelming, particularly from students who might not traditionally "make the team" in other mainstream sports. Beyond the thrill of competition, Boccia is highly recommended by physical therapists to help students improve their fitness, range of motion, flexibility, stability and balance.
HPEDSB is incredibly proud to support the growth of Boccia in our schools. Whether students are aiming for the Paralympics like Jaxson, or just looking to enjoy a fun, strategic game with their classmates, Boccia is proving that in our district, everyone gets a chance to play.
For more information
156 Ann Street
Belleville Ontario
Canada K8N 3L3
www.hpedsb.on.ca
