Bocci
Malta has a history of traditional sports that are still practised today, and one of the most popular sports among the locals is ‘Bocci’. This sport, sometimes known as ‘Bocce’, is a variation of the metal ball game known as Boules. Bocci originated in the early Roman Empire and has now evolved into a more standardised sport with an array of rules that are followed by countries around the globe such as France, Italy, Australia, and Malta.
The earliest Maltese Bocci were introduced during the rule of the Knights of St John. The modern game of Bocci has more in common with Boules (bowls) and Petanque than it did with older versions of marble only games. Floriana was the first documented location of an early Boules like game, which was followed by the modern game of Bocci.
While the game of Bocci was often played with glass marbles, they were not always available, so when children who loved to play the game couldn’t get the glass marbles, they resorted to using other alternatives such as ginger ale bottle stoppers, hazelnuts and almost round pebbles.
Similar to football, Bocci is played on a pitch. However, the playing area is considerably smaller than a football field, only about 2.5–4 metres wide by 20–27 metres long. It is played using coarse grained sand on a sturdy, cloth covered surface. This adds an additional element of surprise to the ball’s motion on the unpredictable surface. Metal Bocci balls are used, and each team has a unique colour or design assigned to them to set them apart from one another.
The jack, a much smaller ball that resembles a dark marble, is carefully rolled to a position about 2 metres from the end of the pitch. Interestingly, the metal balls and jacks are mostly imported from France.
The two teams will then have the opportunity to bowl or throw their Bocci balls as close to the jack as they can. In any round of the game, only the team that is closest to the jack is allowed to score. A match consists of multiple rounds, and the first team to reach 21 points wins. There are designated ‘setters’ and ‘knockers’ for each team, and just like any other sport, these roles bring about the use of different techniques, strategies, and goals.
The players aiming to get their Bocci balls closest to the jack are called the ‘setters’, and the players that throw the balls underarm to try to move the jack or knock their opponent’s balls out of the way are the ‘knockers’.
Bocci is played in clubs among the locals and in front of curious tourists who seem to be intrigued by the sport. In Malta, there are more than thirty Bocci clubs, and a number of federations that host competitions. The local government owns a lot of the Bocci clubs, although the members are responsible for the upkeep of the club and host events. Bocci clubs usually have a coffee or tea shop and a bar, which is a relaxing way to spend time watching the game in the sun.
The sport is dominated by men, with the women providing a cold beer or drinks to the competitors and a handkerchief to absorb their husband’s sweat. Men were opposed to women taking part in the sport, labelling it as a ‘sport for strong individuals’ who have to hold a metal ball and swing it across the pitch. Although this mindset is shifting among the locals, the sport is still widely practiced by men.