Partnership brings bocce ball to Hong Kong schools

A partnership between Special Olympics Hong Kong and one of East Asia’s leading insurance companies is bringing bocce ball to Hong Kong schools using a revolutionary portable bocce court.

The recreational-sized Packabocce courts being used feature an easy-to-transport inflatable and compact 30-foot by 8-foot design. They made their first Hong Kong school appearance on 15 November when students with and without intellectual disabilities at Jockey Club Sarah Roe School took part in a unified bocce event. The school is attended by 70 students with special needs, aged from 5-19 years.

The bocce event was run by Special Olympics Hong Kong and supported by staff from the insurance company, which sponsors the Special Olympics Unified Schools and Athlete Leadership programmes. The event aimed to introduce bocce ball and the Special Olympics programme to children at the school.

Packaworld Chief Executive Peter Roberts said he was delighted to hear about the partnership and the role the new Packabocce courts were playing in the Special Olympics Hong Kong bocce ball programme.

“It’s fantastic to see an insurance company bringing people together to play sport as part of their corporate social responsibility programme. We’re thrilled that our Packabocce courts are being used as part of the Special Olympics Hong Kong bocce programme to remove some of the barriers that prevent people with intellectual disabilities from getting a real game experience.”

Bocce ball was an ideal sport for people with physical or intellectual disabilities because it was non-exclusive and accessible to people of all ages and abilities, Mr Roberts said.

Unlike traditional bocce ball courts made of wood or stone, inflatable Packabocce courts could be transported in the boot of a car. Mr Roberts said the ‘Recreational’ version of the courts used at the Jockey Club Sarah Roe School were compact and easy for volunteers to set up, making them perfect for schools and smaller venues such as restaurants, bars, lifestyle villages, and cruise ships.

Larger Competition-sized Packabocce courts were first demonstrated to Hong Kong coaches and athletes at an event at Yuen Chau Kok Sports Centre in October.

Speaking after that event, Special Olympics Hong Kong Senior Sports Executive Sang Lee said the courts were a potential game changer.

“We were most impressed with the courts and it’s opened our eyes to new opportunities for all levels of our bocce programme across Hong Kong,” he said.

“In the past we’ve used PVC pipe but it takes a long time to set up and is difficult to transport and store. The Packabocce courts look great and can be used to take bocce anywhere.”

Bocce is one of 15 sports offered by Special Olympics Hong Kong. Jockey Club Sarah Roe School is part of the English Schools Foundation, Hong Kong’s largest provider of English-medium international education.

For more information about portable Packabocce courts visit the product page>>