The ancient sport of bocce has undergone a resurgence in some parts of the world, helped in part by the invention of a new portable court that lets players take the game with them wherever they go.

Traditional bocce courts are made of wood or stone and can be 8-14 feet wide and 60-100 feet long. These are the kinds of courts that were used in town squares and courtyards during the days of the Ancient Roman empire.

They look good and work fine, but they are far from portable. They certainly can’t be packed up and taken to communities and locations crying out for new and accessible recreational opportunities.

Cruise ships operated by Carnival Cruise Line have added bocce to their list of on-board activities, thanks to an inflatable court developed by New Zealand company Packaworld.

Joey Colby-Begovich, Manager of Entertainment Experience for Carnival Cruise Line, said Carnival was excited to introduce bocce on 18 ships across its fleet after successful trials on-board Carnival Pride and Carnival Glory. The trials were run by the American Bocce Company, which is leading a revitalisation of the sport across the USA.

"Adding a sport like bocce gives our guests yet another fun activity to enjoy,” Mr Colby-Begovich said. “We are really excited to offer bocce across our fleet. Bocce is a fantastic ice-breaker and can be enjoyed by guests of all ages. The response from our guests has been wonderful.”

A Wellington businessman has single-handedly steered his innovative portable products company to international success.

Packaworld​, a provider of blow-up sporting goods, has recently secured a contract with five ships operated by P&O Cruises, which will use specially designed inflatable bocce courts on board.

Bocce is similar to lawn bowls and usually played on a sizeable court.
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The traditional bulky wooden courts had posed a significant barrier to offering the Italian sport on cruise ships or in shared spaces in the past.

Packaworld chief executive Peter Roberts said the inflatable, Packabocce courts could be used inside or outdoors, and can be set up and packed away in minutes.

Five cruise ships operated by P&O Cruises have added the sport of bocce to their list of on-board activities, thanks to an innovative portable court developed by a New Zealand company.

Packaworld developed inflatable ‘Packabocce’ courts in competition and recreation sizes to overcome the storage challenges posed by traditional bocce courts, which are 60 feet long and 12 feet wide. The size and bulk of traditional courts has posed a significant barrier to offering the Italian sport on cruise ships or in shared spaces in the past.

​P&O Cruises Head of Entertainment Brett Annable said it was exciting to be able to offer bocce as an activity in a part of the world where it was less well known.