THE Paralympic legacy was clear for all to see as more than 20 schools took part in a Boccia competition at Next Generation at Kembrey Park.

Pupils travelled from across Swindon as well as from Devizes, Salisbury and Marlborough to compete in the event, which sees players try to throw leather balls as close to a jack as possible in a game similar to bowls.

While Brazil dominated the sport at the London 2012 Paralympics, teams from Commonweal school finished first and second at Kembrey Park, with the winners now moving forward to the regional finals in Exeter.

Swindon Schools Sports Partnership’s School Games organiser Andy Steckbeck helped run the event, which he believes perfectly illustrates what the Olympics and Paralympics have given to this country.

“Boccia is a sport that wasn’t really getting a lot of people involved in it, but since the Paralympics it has been really well attended by children of all abilities and ages,” he said.

“We all know about the legacy the Olympics and Paralympics were supposed to leave behind, but I have heard some people say the has not really been one from the Paralympics.

“I am not sure if that is true, and I think events like this show that something was taken from the Games.

“People who wouldn’t normally get out and play sport like this were out playing, which is obviously great, and we also had governing body Boccia England down to watch and they were impressed with what we saw.

“The best thing about it is that it’s a very inclusive sport which anyone can enjoy.”