Beyond the Paralympics: Growing disabled sports with portable goals and courts

The Paralympic Games in Paris have the world’s sports fans enthralled with the determination, ability and will to succeed of all the amazing athletes taking part.

But while the pinnacle event for disabled sports draws the crowds, some equally exciting happenings are afoot at grassroots level, where participation numbers are on the rise.

The economic impact of parasports events in the US was $139M in 2022, a 78% increase from 2021, according to a 2023 survey by All In Sport Consulting.

This rise in economic impact and participation is being driven by a variety of factors, including increased visibility through global events, and better access to equipment and facilities that enable sport to be played by all.

Innovative products like reusable court lines and inflatable goals have allowed sports organizations, schools, and community groups to support people with disabilities to play sport in places where traditional sports facilities are either unavailable or too costly to modify.

One of those leading the way when it comes to adaptive and disabled sports equipment is Packaworld – a New Zealand-based company that has built its business around the disability sector, specializing in equipment that ‘democratizes’ sport by allowing more people to play.

“We are delighted to be part of the disability sports revolution”, says Peter Roberts, Chief Executive of Packaworld International.

“We're all about making physical recreation more accessible and creating opportunities for people of all abilities to experience the joy of sport. If along the way we're potentially deepening the talent pool of future Paralympians then that’s the icing on the cake."

Goalball: Boosting access to sports for people with vision impairments

As epic goalball battles unfold at the Paralympics, goalball players around the world will be inspired by their achievements. The team sport designed for athletes with vision impairments is gaining traction in community sports groups and schools introducing inclusive sports into their physical education programs worldwide, thanks in part to the Packaworld’s Goalball Packagoals.

Roberts said the portability of the inflatable goals allows organizations to take goalball to places it has never been before, allowing more people can experience the sport.

"We're seeing a surge in interest from schools, community centers, and inclusive sports programs. This grassroots growth is crucial for the sport’s future."

The goals are even supporting play at the elite level. Australia’s national women’s goalball team, the Aussie Belles, have used Packaworld's inflatable goals in their training camps.

The portability of the goals makes it easier for the team to set up practice sessions in different locations, helping them to ensure they can play at venues that don’t have existing goals available.

Boccia: Breaking new ground for inclusivity

Boccia, a precision ball sport that has been part of the Paralympic program since 1984, is another sport making significant strides in increasing participation. As Paralympic boccia athletes compete for gold, Packaworld's versatile Packaline temporary court lines are quietly revolutionizing how the sport is played at the community level.

Many recreational centers and gymnasiums, with their expensive high-quality flooring, are reluctant to mark permanent lines for boccia, allow the use of adhesive tape, or permit any alteration that might mark the surface. Packaworld's solution? Leave-no-trace Packalines that can transform any flat space that’s large enough into a boccia court and be easily rolled up and removed afterwards.

Roberts said enabling organizers to bring boccia to any gymnasium  and leave it unblemished were “changing the game”. Packalines help introduce boccia to new players and communities.

“They allow boccia afficionados to set up a court any time – enhancing accessibility to the sport and improving global inclusion."

Blind football: Kicking off new opportunities

Blind Football, a five-a-side variant of football adapted for athletes with visual impairments, is among the most popular sports for those with low or no vision. Competition at the Paralympics looks likely to be red hot this year, with Brazil’s outstanding run of straight golds every year since the sports introduction in 2004 on the line.

The launch of Blind Football in New Zealand used Packaworld's Football Packagoals, demonstrating how its portable equipment can help introduce inclusive sports to new regions and highlighting Packaworld's commitment to supporting a range of inclusive sport initiatives.

Changing the game: Packaworld's impact on the Special Olympics

Packaworld's influence on inclusive sports extends well beyond the Paralympic arena. The company plays a significant role in the Special Olympics, a global movement providing sports training and hosting athletic competitions for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

Packabocce courts, used for the growing sport of bocce ball, have become a staple at various levels of Special Olympics competition. From the Special Olympics’ World Games in 2023 to regional events like its Latin American Games and national competitions such as the New Zealand Summer Games, the courts have been boosting the bocce experience for athletes around the globe by providing world-class playing conditions.

At the community level, the inflatable courts have been making a significant impact by introducing bocce to new generations of players. A prime example is New York, where Special Olympics New York and New York Public Schools invested substantial funding into an initiative to provide schools with everything they need to run inclusive bocce programs – including a suite of Packabocce courts.

Roberts said Packaworld’s involvement with Special Olympics aligns perfectly with its mission to create inclusive environments where athletes of all abilities can shine.

“From international high-caliber events to school gymnasiums, we're proud to be part of the global Special Olympics movement."

As events like the Paralympic Games and Special Olympics continue to captivate audiences worldwide, it’s worth remembering that the path to elite competition often starts in school gyms, community centers and local parks, Roberts said.

"Every Paralympic and Special Olympic athlete started somewhere. If our equipment can help more people experience these incredible sports and potentially set them on a path to future glory, then we can be immensely proud of playing a small part in their story.

“We're helping to create a more inclusive world where everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of sport without restriction – that’s the most important thing.”