Portable bocce courts make European debut at Special Olympics Germany National Games

Bocce athletes at the Special Olympics Germany National Games in Berlin last week were rolling for gold on revolutionary portable courts that are quickly becoming the benchmark globally.

Developed by Packaworld International, the ‘Packabocce’ courts are inflatable yet fully rigid, providing for a top-quality playing experience while also being easy to set up and transport.

They are widely used in the USA and at national and regional Special Olympics competitions in many other places globally, but their arrival for Germany’s premier event marked the first time they had been used at the very top level in Europe.

“Our delegations and the team were very happy with the courts and we are proud of the setup we had,” said Alena Dettmer, Sports Cluster Coordinator for the Games.

“We’re also happy that the courts are easy to reuse and will serve us as equipment for the World Games too.”

More than 4,000 athletes from around Germany competed across 20 sports at this year’s National Games, which took place from 19-24 June. Bocce was one of the best attended events and is now the fourth most played sport in Special Olympics programmes globally, behind only football, athletics and basketball.

The bocce competition was played in the Rudolf-Harbig-Halle sports complex at Berlin’s Olympiapark. Built in the 1930s, the centrepiece of the park – the Olympic stadium – received a major upgrade in preparation for the 2006 FIFA World Cup and is now considered one of the premier stadiums in Europe.

Packaworld supplied 16 Packabocce courts used across four bocce events – Singles, Doubles, Teams, and the Unified Doubles event that sees athletes with and without intellectual disabilities competing together in teams of two.

In addition to competing for national honours and medals, the athletes were also vying for a place at the Special Olympic World Games 2023. Next year’s World Games, also being held in Berlin, will be Germany’s first.

Packaworld chief executive Peter Roberts said it was an honour to see Packabocce courts being used at the highest level in Germany.

“The setup at the Special Olympics Germany National Games was one of the best Packabocce court installations I've seen. The Germans certainly pay a lot of attention to detail and the team led by Alena has left no stone unturned to give the athletes one of the best bocce ball game experiences,” he said.

“Given the initial feedback from coaches and athletes I’m confident this event will act as a springboard for Special Olympics to launch bocce on an even grander scale throughout Germany. The courts are portable and easy to setup, and that will give athletes across the country the opportunity to compete more regularly on top quality equipment in more locations, making the joy of sport real to more people."      

Roberts attended this year’s Games to observe, support volunteers with set up of the new courts for bocce competition, and to meet some of the rising stars of German Special Olympics bocce.

Packabocce courts have featured at major Special Olympics competitions in the past, including the Special Olympics Ontario Invitational Youth Games in Canada, Latin American Special Olympics Games, Special Olympics Asia Pacific Games, Special Olympics Florida State Summer Games and Special Olympics New Zealand National Summer Games.

Video: Setting up portable bocce courts at the German National Games

> Want more information about our portable bocce courts? Visit our Packabocce product page.