Cleveland boccia champ Fiona Lyons pulls on the boxing gloves

The Cleveland athlete has started boxing at home with the help of a support worker funded through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

But no stranger to competitive sports, Fiona played professional boccia for 20 years.

She represented Australia in World Cups and World Championships and has previously been both the Australian National Champion and Queensland State Champion.

The 33-year-old still plays socially with the assistance of NDIS support workers who transport her to Redlands Boccia Club on Sundays. Fiona said her goal is to visit and play at other clubs across the Gold Coast, Deception Bay and Brisbane areas.

"I love boccia because when I am playing I am on the court and no one can help me, which is very different from my life off the court. The player has to decide what to do and what tactic or shot to make; I am in charge and no one can tell me what to do," Fiona said.

When Fiona is not on the boccia court or boxing, she makes time to train her assistance dog, Aysa, who attends her club games where she happily sits and watches her play.

"Training my dog to help me with picking up dropped items, finding my mum when I need her, and agility is my main goal," she said.

Fiona lives an active, sporty life after she implemented NDIS funding from Carers Queensland's NDIS Local Area Coordination Partner in the Community Program for the Capalaba region.

Since accessing the NDIS and being supported by her Local Area Coordinator (LAC), Fiona said her life has "changed for the better".

To find out more about how the NDIS and Local Area Coordination program, visit Carers Queensland NDIS Local Area Coordination Partner in the Community Program for the Capalaba region at 8 Dollery Road, Capalaba or call 3565 8600.