Bocce is one of my favorite sports that I compete in. To be honest, I have played it pretty much all my life since being taught by my mom’s dad (my grandfather, Ron Farra) while he was alive. All those years of playing at picnics, holidays, and special events, and I never knew the history or rules of bocce.

Since Special Olympics started in 1986, there have been 32 sports that have been modified for the special needs community. Bocce was added as a Special Olympics sport in 1988 and has grown into a popular sport, since bocce is inclusive and easy to play. Bocce can be played by up to 8 people casually or competitively, standing or even from a wheelchair. Although the rules are simple, they can be adapted for the level of the player by using ramps, lighter bocce balls, and shorter playing fields. Another reason bocce is a great Special Olympics sport is because you can play with a group, be social, and promote teamwork.

Bocce is played with 8 bocce balls—4 red and 4 green—and a small ball called the pallino. The pallino is the target ball for scoring. The way you win points is to get your 4 color balls closer to the pallino than the other team’s 4 color balls.

Special Olympics isn’t just a one-day track event for athletes with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics is striving for a more inclusive world, and one way it's doing that is by bringing inclusive sports to schools. So far this fall, Special Olympics Massachusetts has 25 Unified Champion Schools that offer bocce, along with 16 Special Olympics local programs that compete in it. You probably don’t know, but bocce is one of the most popular sports for Special Olympics Massachusetts You’re probably asking yourself why.

“Bocce is a great introduction to a Unified sport,” according to Denise Larrabee, who is the Manager of Inclusive Schools Programs. “It’s a very social game, so it’s a good way to meet new friends,” she said.

And Rachel Chulock, the Director of Sports for Special Olympics MA, talked about bocce’s impact on the local program side.  

“I think it’s a way better way to experience inclusion,” she said. “Anyone at any age can be involved in bocce at any skill level.”

Nearly 1,000 athletes and Unified partners participated in bocce in 2024, and it could make the top three sports in Massachusetts in the next couple of years as Middle School Bocce programs grow!  

According to Shrewsbury athlete Amanda Davidson, who was recently selected to represent Special Olympics Massachusetts in the 2026 USA Games in Minnesota for bocce, “Bocce is fun, it’s relaxing, and I get to hang with my friends. It’s like a mental exercise, like a big old puzzle!” Amanda is very excited for the opportunity to represent Massachusetts and hopes to win a medal in Minnesota.

Bocce isn’t just a game; it’s a sport for everyone! It’s simple to learn and will keep you hooked, whether you’re a beginner or a competitive athlete. This is a sport that has brought people together, no matter their age or ability. Today, it’s one of the biggest Special Olympics sports because it builds confidence, encourages social experiences, and helps you stay active in a fun, calm way.

So why not give it a shot?  

Gregg Gallant is a member of the Special Olympics MA Content Squad. The mission of Special Olympics MA Athlete Leadership is to empower athletes to develop communication skills and utilize their voices to assume meaningful leadership roles. As members of the Content Squad, athlete leaders contribute to Special Olympics MA story-telling through interviews, photos, video creation, and more.

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