Packabocce courts on a roll in the the home of bocce

Packaworld’s portable bocce courts made their first appearance at the birthplace of the ancient sport on the weekend when they were used for a special bocce event held during the Lions Clubs International Convention in Milan, Italy.

The event was run by Special Olympics and Lions Club International as part of an annual tradition that sees Special Olympics athletes and Lions Club members compete in a different unified sport at each international Lions convention.

Special Olympics Director of Sport & Development Christian Guiralt said the event was a great example of sport’s ability to bring people together.

“There was a lot of participation and everyone was so excited with the new courts.”

Dozens of Special Olympics athletes competed alongside unified partners, including senior Lions club delegates, with all awarded medals at the end.

Packaworld Chief Executive Peter Roberts said it was outstanding to see the portable courts being used to promote unified competitions that bring people with and without intellectual disabilities together on the same team.

“Inclusion is one of our core values and it’s always been a goal to bring Packabocce courts to Italy. This event really is the courts coming home to that hallowed ground where bocce as we know it today was conceived.”

Globally, bocce ball is one the fourth most popular Special Olympics sport, played by more than 440,000 people.
Packabocce courts are widely used by Special Olympics clubs and organisations around the world, including for many national, regional and international competitions.

In May the courts brought the joy of sport to the Special Olympics Ontario Invitational Youth Games, and they have previously been used at the Latin American Special Olympics Games, Special Olympics Asia Pacific Games, Special Olympics Florida State Summer Games and Special Olympics New Zealand National Summer Games.

The courts are also used in a wide range of other settings, including restaurants, lifestyle villages, cruise ships, luxury resorts, and social leagues run in bars and pubs.

PHOTO CREDITS: Lorenzo Montanari

Find out more about Packaworld's portable bocce ball courts, including different sizes available, on our Packabocce page >>