GETTING in the sporting spirit in the run up to Rio 2016, pupils from Jigsaw School at Dunsfold Park, took part in a Boccia taster session at Surrey Sports Park.

Students at the school founded by Jigsaw Trust to educate children with autism spectrum disorders, were invited by long-term supporters of the charity, Allianz in Guildford, to join Liz Wilks, Boccia high performance coach for the 2016 GB Olympics Team, for a session of the precision ball sport.

Jigsaw’s pupils were divided into two teams and invited to throw leather balls as close as they could to the white target ball. Boccia can be played by people with different abilities, including those with limited motor skills.

Jayne Lobley, Jigsaw’s educational visits co-ordinator, said: “Children with autism may experience challenges with their motor skills and one aspect of the session that was particularly gratifying, was to see our children using those skills repeatedly and being encouraged by their results to try again.

“The weighted balls eliminated the puzzling and unpredictable bounce you get from normal balls, which our children can often find confusing when trying to understand and focus on aim, so it was a very valuable experience for them.

“Thank-you to Liz Wilks and Allianz in Guildford for inviting our pupils to take part.”