FOR someone who has suffered from a degenerative disability all her life, Carla Woods has quietly achieved an amazing amount of sporting excellence.

The 59-year-old, who lives in Farnworth, was inspired by the London Olympics in 2012 to take up the disability sport of boccia.

It is similar to indoor bowls, with players throwing special balls close to a target ball – the jack.

Competition is in teams or as individuals and accumulated points determine the winner.

For Carla, this is a particularly apt sport because it was originally created in 1980 for sufferers of cerebral palsy: a collection of neurological conditions that affect movement and co-ordination.

Carla suffers from cerebral palsy and her movement has gradually become more and more limited over the years.

She first started off with elbow crutches but now uses a wheelchair.

Despite the obvious limitations of the condition, Carla – who admits that she was “always sporty” – has enjoyed a number of competitive sports, and done well in them.

From the age of nine, she rode horses. Not just leading them round, she is keen to stress. Carla took part in competitive riding and dressage and also enjoyed carriage riding.

In fact, she was in the riding squad from which the national paralympic team was chosen in 1996, but just missed out.

She has been a good swimmer, representing her borough, and played table tennis to an impressive level.

These days, damage to her spine, oedema, asthma and nerve damage has restricted both her movement and energy levels.

However, this has failed to dim her enthusiasm for boccia.

Carla started off playing at a club in Stockport, which was the nearest venue to her home in Farnworth when she first took up the sport.

She proved adept at it, enjoying decent success due to good hand/eye co-ordination and a competitive edge.

Wins in tournaments in her special paralympic class around the North West followed before, early last year, she opened a boccia club in Bolton.

This was originally at the University of Bolton but moved last summer to the Castle Hill Centre in Tonge Moor, where sessions are run each Saturday from noon to 1pm, priced at £2 a session.

“Boccia is brilliant because it’s for all types of disabilities,” said Carla.

“I’ve played people who have taken off their shoes and socks and used their feet, and you can even play in a special helmet with a kind of pointer that allows you to use your head.”

The balls come in a variety of weights, and there is a ramp that can be employed by people with particular disabilities that can be used to guide the ball towards the jack.

"I enjoy giving something back by organising the club," added Carla, who also helps with a Brownie pack, a food bank and is on local health watchdog Healthwatch.

"I would love to see more disabled people playing. I think they’re just not aware of what boccia is, but it’s a great sport for everybody.”

To find out more call Carla on 07763 693443.