news blog

Sports enthusiasts in several Asian countries will now be able to buy a range of unique sports equipment from New Zealand company Packaworld International, thanks to an agreement with one of China’s leading sports equipment suppliers, AirGoal Sports.

Following several years of collaboration, Packaworld and AirGoal Sports have entered a distribution agreement, which extends Packaworld’s distribution network to east Asian countries, including China.

Packaworld CEO Peter Roberts said the agreement was a significant milestone in Packaworld’s history and a huge step towards achieving the company’s vision of bringing the joy of sport to more people around the world.

The world’s first blind rugby international was played at QBE Stadium in Auckland on 6 July, featuring another world-first: truly portable full-size rugby posts.

Played between the Blind Lions and New Zealand Blind Rugby in the leadup to the British and Irish Lions tour finale at Eden Park, the match finished 31-0 as glimpses of brilliance from the New Zealanders were overpowered by the Blind Lions’ experience and fitness.

Inflatable ‘Rugby Packaposts’ meet World Rugby size guidelines, and were produced by New Zealand sporting products supplier Packaworld International to overcome challenges posed by conventional rugby posts, which are usually made of wood, steel or aluminium.

The sun was shining in Lower Hutt where over 140 people took part in the annual Tui Hurricanes Alumni golf tournament, held at Shandon Golf Course on 21 March.
 
Rugby greats and current stars including Christian Cullen, Cory Jane, Beauden Barrett, Brad Shields and Dane Coles took part in the event, which featured a sneak preview of Packaworld’s newest innovation – the world’s first full size, truly portable rugby post.

The Rugby Packapost was on display in front of the 18th hole, a par 3 hole which featured a ‘nearest the pin competition’, with the added challenge for players to fire tee shots through the uprights.

Hurricanes Alumni Board Member, and former Hurricane and Mike Russell says the idea for portable full-sized rugby posts that can be set up in minutes is ‘pretty cool’.
 
“I’m impressed someone has been able to create a full-size rugby post that you can transport around so easily,” Mr Russell says. “I can definitely see the potential for a product like this one to take off, especially in emerging rugby nations without established facilities.”

Over 600 players and more than 3,000 fans had a new experience at one of the USA’s largest junior rugby tournaments, thanks to one of a kind portable Junior Rugby Packaposts designed by New Zealand company Packaworld International.

The Rhinos Rugby Stomp was hosted by Rhinos Rugby Club on Sunday 29 January at Great Park in the city of Irvine, California. The tournament featured Under 14 age group teams from nine clubs across California.

Junior rugby is often played without posts, particularly in the US, where many sports fields are set up for other sports.

Packaposts were on show at a Hurricanes Alumni Dinner at Wellington’s Westpac Stadium last night in the lead-up to the weekend’s test match between the All Blacks and Wales.

Around 400 rugby supporters attended the dinner, which featured speeches from All Blacks Coach Steve Hansen and Wales Coach Warren Gatland OBE, while Scotty Stevenson of Sky Sports ran the question and answer session.

Packaworld supported the event, providing inflatable rugby Packaposts for the event’s auction, with proceeds donated to a new Hurricanes Alumni Fund to support the development of Hurricanes Rugby, and Alumni members facing hardship.

A schoolboy-inspired donation of Kiwi sports equipment to the remote Koroinasau District School near Sigatoka in Fiji will open up a world of sporting opportunities for local children.

The gift included balls for various sports, in addition to inflatable football goals and rugby posts from innovative Wellington-based sporting goods supplier Packaworld International.

Koroinasau District School Head Teacher Loata Finau said the equipment was received with festivity and song by the children and teachers of the school.

Packaworld's Packapost's have been doing the rounds on the streets of Wellington and catching the eye of many as All Blacks fever hit town.
 
"Been using them every day for the past three weeks. Brilliant," said Cam Maurice, ZM Productions. "They're quick and easy to put up and handy to throw in the back of the Black Thunders."

"Not what they were originally developed for," said Packaworld Head and Packapost designer, "but a lot of people seem to be having fun kicking for prizes.