For elite athletes, success is often described as an individual achievement. But for Sally Kidson, reaching the top of her sport depends on finding someone who can work alongside her with extraordinary precision.

The Salisbury-based boccia player is currently the European champion and ranked fifth in the world in her category. With ambitions of competing at the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, she is now searching for a crucial member of her team: a ramp operator.

It might sound like a supporting role, but in boccia, the partnership between athlete and operator can make the difference between winning and losing.

A sport built on precision and teamwork

Boccia is a precision ball sport originally developed for people with cerebral palsy and now played by athletes with a wide range of disabilities.

The objective is deceptively simple: players attempt to place their coloured balls as close as possible to a white target ball.

For athletes who cannot throw or kick the balls themselves, a ramp can be used to position and release them. That’s where the operator comes in.

Kidson makes the tactical decisions, determining where the ramp needs to be positioned and how the ball should be played. The operator then follows her instructions to make that plan happen.

And there is a remarkable restriction: during competition, the ramp operator cannot look at the court.

That means communication has to be precise, rapid and completely trusted.

A partnership, not just a job

Kidson’s coach, Rikki Bingham, describes the relationship as a partnership in which two people effectively produce a single performance.

The athlete is responsible for reading the game, judging the conditions and deciding on tactics. The operator must translate those decisions into precise movements, positioning the ramp exactly where instructed and doing so within strict time limits.

The relationship requires more than technical ability. The two people need to understand one another and develop a shared rhythm.

That’s why Kidson says finding the right person is “absolutely critical”.

The operator is also considered an athlete and can receive medals, underlining just how important the role is to competitive boccia.

What does the role involve?

The successful candidate would train with Kidson several times a week and become deeply involved in her preparation.

Their responsibilities would extend beyond competitions. They would help maintain the equipment, including the boccia balls and ramp, and analyse previous matches to help develop tactics.

Most importantly, they would become part of Kidson’s long-term journey.

That could mean travelling internationally for competitions — potentially all the way to Los Angeles for the 2028 Paralympics.

For someone interested in elite sport, it is an unusual opportunity: a chance to become part of a world-class athlete’s competitive career while developing specialist skills along the way.

You don’t have to be an expert

Perhaps the most encouraging part of Kidson’s search is that previous boccia experience is not necessarily required.

What matters most, she says, is a willingness to learn, contribute ideas and develop as a team.

That could open the door to someone who has never previously considered working in elite disability sport.

The successful candidate would need to be adaptable, attentive and comfortable working under pressure. But they would also have the opportunity to learn from an athlete competing at the highest level of the sport.

A medal-winning future

Kidson’s current ranking makes the search particularly significant. With her coach describing her as being on an “upward trajectory” and having considerable medal potential, the right partnership could play an important role in what comes next.

Elite sport is often portrayed through individual stars, podium finishes and personal records. Boccia offers a different perspective.

Behind every carefully judged shot can be a relationship built on communication, trust and countless hours of practice.

For Sally Kidson, finding the right ramp operator isn’t simply about filling a vacancy.

It could be about finding the person who helps turn Paralympic ambition into reality.

Expressions of interest are being sought by 12 October.