BISFed are welcoming requests for rule changes ahead of the deadline on March 31 ©BISFed

The Boccia International Sports Federation (BISFed) has urged participants in the sport to submit any request they have for rule changes ahead of a deadline on March 31.

Rules can be altered once every four years, with the changes coming into force immediately after the Paralympic Games.

BISFed have targeted having discussions concluded in advance of the Rio 2016 Paralympics, which are scheduled to take place from September 7 to 18, allowing the governing body to publish the updated rules early into the new quadrennial cycle.

With their Rules Committee having been established to ensure all the rules are fair for all boccia participants, they have welcomed the input of athletes.

Changes to boccia rules can be made every four years
Changes to boccia rules can be made every four years ©Getty Images

They have asked that each query begins with the rule number that the change would effect, with questions or requests received by the Committee posted on a public forum on BISFed’s website for discussion.

In the event that a discussion or request does not have a clear answer, BISFed state they may call for a vote with preferences needing to be submitted to the athletes’ representative.

The Rules Committee is currently headed Gary Vander Vies and he has been joined by Greg Polychronidis, who represents the athletes and sport assistants.

Kenneth Soh is the coaches’ voice on the Committee, while the panel is completed by Raquel Daffre de Arroxellas, who acts as the representative of the officials.