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. ​

Packaworld has launched a campaign to bring Visually Impaired Rugby to Paralympic Games. 

Run with the support of UK Charity The Change Foundation, the campaign aims to raise the profile of the sport and further its case to be played at the Paralympic Games in future.

“Rugby is a way of life where we are based in New Zealand,” says Packaworld Chief Executive Peter Roberts.

“We’d love to see pathways created for our rugby-mad visually impaired athletes to compete at the highest level globally. If we can get a full scrum of supporters packed down behind us, there’s no telling where the sport can go.”