World Boccia would like to start by thanking the Athletes’ Committee for their contributions to our sport since the Rio 2022 World Boccia Championships. Chair, Daniel Michel (AUS), has tirelessly led the Committee and been instrumental in producing the World Boccia Athletes’ Committee Charter. Vice Chair, Grigorios Polychronidis (GRE), has been appointed to the IPC Athletes’ Council – ensuring boccia athletes have a voice in this forum too.
World Boccia Athletes’ Committee members hold office from the day after the Closing Ceremony at the World Boccia Championships which they were elected at until the day of the Closing Ceremony at the next World Boccia Championships. Hence, the time has come to elect a new World Boccia Athlete’s Committee.
The mission of the World Boccia Athletes’ Committee is to represent and advocate for boccia athletes and to ensure that athletes are at the centre of decision-making processes undertaken within World Boccia. Please see further details of the role taken from the World Boccia Athletes’ Committee Charter. Following the recent adoption of amendments to World Boccia’s Articles of Association, there will be an Athlete Representative appointed to the Board. This will further amplify the voice of athletes. The Athlete Representative will be selected from the new Athletes’ Committee by committee members.
To be eligible for election to the Athletes’ Committee candidates must:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Be a current or former athlete in the sport and fulfil one of the following criteria:
- An athlete who currently competes (within the last 12 months) in World Boccia sanctioned events
- A retired athlete who competed in a World Boccia sanctioned event within the last 12 years and has a demonstrated continued connection to the sport
- An athlete who is currently ineligible due to reclassification, but has competed in a World Boccia sanctioned event within the last 12 years and has a demonstrated continued connection to the sport.
- Be in good standing and not have been sanctioned for breaching an anti-doping rule violation; intentional misrepresentation; and/or any other integrity matter at any time
Further details on eligibility can be found in the World Boccia Athletes’ Committee Charter.
Athletes must be nominated by the World Boccia member organisation for their country, and that organisation must be in good standing.
To nominate an athlete to the Athletes’ Committee, please submit the following documentation:
- Nomination Form
- Candidate Statement
- A photograph of the candidate
- A copy of their passport details page or National ID card.
These must be sent to Ilona Berry on admin@worldboccia.com no later than Sunday 26th July 2026.
Elections will take place at the Seoul 2026 World Boccia Championships. All accredited athletes will be eligible to vote. Further details of the voting process and logistics will be shared prior to the event.
If you have any questions regarding the World Boccia Athletes’ Committee or making a nomination, please contact Ilona Berry in the first instance at admin@worldboccia.com.
We look forward to receiving your nominations!
