CLASSIFICATION ISSUES
Classification is the grouping of athletes based on functional ability

CLASSES

BC1 athlete has Cerebral Palsy with loco motor dysfunction affecting the whole body.

Typically the athlete can:
1. Not usually be able to propel a manual wheelchair.
2. Often have difficulty altering the sitting position.
3. Often use the trunk in head and arm movements.
4. Have difficulty with grasp and release motions.
5. Have no functional use of the legs.

BC2 athlete has Cerebral Palsy with loco motor dysfunction affecting the whole body.

Typically the athlete can:
1. Have trunk control, but this involves limb movement.
2. Have difficulties with consistent isolated shoulder movement.
3. Be able to spread fingers and thumb, but not quickly.
4. Be able to hand or foot push a wheelchair.
5. Possibly be able to stand/walk, but is very unstable.

BC3 athlete may have Cerebral Palsy or NON-Cerebral origin or degenerative origin.

Typically the athlete can:
1. Have severe loco motor dysfunction in all four limbs.
2. Have insufficient strength and co-ordination to grasp and release a Boccia ball and/or to propel it consistently past the V-line onto the court.

BC4 athlete has severe loco motor dysfunction in all four limbs, of NON-Cerebral origin or degenerative cerebral origin.

Typically the athlete can:
1. have poor active range of movement
2. Demonstrate poor strength or severe lack of co-ordination combined with poor dynamic trunk control.
3. Need the use of arm(s) or head thrust to return to an upright sitting position after a balance disturbance e.g. throw.
4. Demonstrate sufficient dexterity to manipulate and throw a Boccia ball consistently past the V-line onto the court.
5. Have poor control of grasp and release that will be evident.
6. Have poor timing or lack of follow through that may be present.
7. Have a “pendulum swing,” which is often seen instead of an overhand throw.
8. Possibly be able to propel his/her wheelchair.
9. Not produce rapid movements.

Athletes with the following diagnosis and the above profile may be eligible to play Olympic level Boccia.

Friedrich’s Ataxia
Muscular Dystrophy -  proximal strength of less 3/5
Multiple Sclerosis
ALS
Spinal cord lesions C5 and above
Spinal Bifida combined with upper extremity involvement
Other similar conditions which result in poor strength and co-ordination problems