Leading North American rugby retailer World Rugby Shop has become the latest distributor of Rugby Packaposts – the world’s first truly portable rugby posts with a regulation-height crossbar.

The deal makes it possible for rugby competition organisers, clubs, schools and others across the USA to purchase the posts direct from the World Rugby Shop online store, in addition to Packaworld’s USA online store.

Packaworld Chief Executive Peter Roberts said the high-quality inflatable posts could be set up in minutes and would enable training, tournaments and games to brought to more locations. Their versatility allows them to be used on a variety of different surfaces, including synthetic turf where new holes cannot be drilled for permanent posts.

There’s a new social sport on the block, and it’s sweeping the USA as people look for fresh ways to get together and connect.

Bocce ball is on the rise and the weekly league in the Chicago West Loop parking lot, out front of Stelios Bottles and Bites, provides some of the surest evidence of the sport’s growth.

Exuding a festival-like atmosphere in the lot beside Willis Tower, formerly Sears Tower, the league gathers 32 teams – of four players each – every Thursday night.

The league is one of eight summer leagues being run by American Bocce Co across multiple venues, with around 500 people competing – the highest number since American Bocce Co leagues began in 2016.

It doesn’t require quite the same degree of strength and athleticism as an NFL match, but even pro athletes like to branch out and unwind some days. What better way to do it than with a few hotly contested games of bocce ball? That’s exactly what the Baltimore Ravens did for a teambuilding event at Stratosphere Social earlier this month.

The bar and community event venue offers bocce ball using portable courts from Packaworld in its “indoor backyard” social space in Eldersburg, Maryland. The 24,000 square-foot venue has an arcade, bowling alley, cornhole, giant Jenga, restaurant, and a fully licensed bar.

“Stratosphere Social is one of a kind,” says Bryan Zuber, owner of the family entertainment center and event venue.

A New York water polo club has survived the impacts of Covid-19 and continues to “hustle” in and out of the water to win games and win over new fans of the sport.

Brooklyn Water Polo Club is one of three remaining clubs in the city of nine million following the pandemic. Founded by Carl Quigley in 1979, the club known to many as the ‘Brooklyn Hustle’ has continued to thrive with the help of a determined group of parent volunteers.

The club recently ordered two Junior Water Polo Packagoals to support and grow their youth programs made up of around 85 boys and girls – ages eight to 18. 

Michael Randazzo, Brooklyn Hustle club administrator, says the size and portability of the Packagoals were key factors in their decision.

Bocce is bouncing back in Maryland with the help of portable courts and a unified sports program that brings athletes with intellectual disabilities together with star footballers and other non-disabled peers.

The program is run by Special Olympics Maryland and many of the state’s public schools, which are using the high-quality inflatable courts from Packaworld to run bocce events at high schools, as well as community-based programs for children and older Special Olympics athletes.

"Bocce has become cool,” says Mike Myers, Baltimore Region Director for Special Olympics Maryland.

A world-first product that allows sports centers to mark out temporary playing courts without damaging indoor flooring is helping to grow participation and keep people active at a community center in West Virginia.

Phil Gainer Community Center serves as a multi-purpose hub for the small community of Elkins, and Packalines – developed by sports innovator Packaworld International -- are allowing them to cater for a wider variety of sports.

Chris Lee, Phil Gainer Community Center’s facility manager, said the Packalines have largely been utilized for volleyball at this stage.

“They’re an absolute perfect temporary line system for a multi-purpose facility,” Lee said. ​