Race Across Yorkshire: boccia and greener sport in Harrogate

At the Bilton Health and Wellbeing Hub in Harrogate, a blue ball and a small white target were enough to get Victoria and Patrick trying something new. Their Race Across Yorkshire stop with Village Green partner North Yorkshire Sport began with a game of boccia and opened up a conversation about inclusive sport and greener community spaces.

One target, different ways to play

Boccia has a simple aim. Get your team’s red or blue balls as close as possible to the white target ball, known as the jack. In the film, North Yorkshire Sport’s Simon Pierce explains how players can throw or roll the ball, or use a ramp and an assistant. When someone uses an assistant, the player still decides how to take the shot.

Watch Victoria and Patrick try different techniques and discover how much the game can adapt to the person playing it.

A greener home for local sport

Garth de Roux, Active Communities Manager at North Yorkshire Sport, explains how the team is working towards a lower-carbon hub. He points to air-source heat pumps, rooftop solar panels and new sports hall windows. He also talks about workshops on environmental sustainability and active travel for sports clubs and community organisations.

Meet North Yorkshire Sport

North Yorkshire Sport works with local partners to help people across York and North Yorkshire get active. Its Bilton Health and Wellbeing Hub hosts a range of community activities in Harrogate. Find out more about North Yorkshire Sport and explore the North Yorkshire VCSE Climate Action Network.

Watch the film on YouTube or read more about Race Across Yorkshire.