BISFed is pleased to announce that, following the resolution at the 2014 General Assembly that we should establish a clear specification for the manufacture and testing of boccia balls for use in BISFed-sanctioned competitions, we have appointed Loughborough University to carry out an independent research project and to make recommendations to the Board.
Loughborough University is one of the world’s leading academic institutions specialising in, amongst other things, Sports Science. They have recently carried out similar research projects for the International Tennis Federation, the International Hockey Federation and the International Cricket Council.
The research project will be conducted in three steps:
- Direct Data Gathering: a research expert from the University will attend two forthcoming BISFed competitions (the World Open in Poland and the European Team & Pairs in England), to give all interested stakeholders the opportunity to express their views. We would like to encourage everyone with an interest in the subject to participate (especially athletes, coaches, ball manufacturers.)
- On-line data gathering: to provide an opportunity for everyone in the boccia community to voice their opinion, we will establish an on-line platform to capture these views. Details of how this will work will be announced shortly.
- Analysis and recommendation: the researchers will analyse all of the information and make recommendations to the Board.
BISFed would like to encourage everyone who has an interest in this question to take advantage of the opportunity and to participate in the project.
Image curtesy of Jean-Baptiste Benavent, Defi Sportive AlterGo
