Portable goals float first ever water skyball tournament in Romania

Bucharest hosted Romania’s inaugural water skyball tournament recently, with 80 competitors using Packaworld’s inflatable goals and fields to mark a significant milestone in the sport's European expansion.

The tournament, held on 15 and 16 February at the Steaua Olympics Swimming Pool, saw Romanian and other European teams taking to the water in separate adult and youth competitions.

Water Skyball Federation Vice President Olga Augusztin said Packaworld’s innovative inflatable goals were a key part of the tournament’s success.

“This was the first time we had brought the skyball goals and field on a plane – we just packed them into a few bags. It was a very simple and smooth process.”

She said the portable Water Skyball Packagoals were easier to use compared to traditional heavy metal goals, which are unwieldy and difficult to transport between venues.

Having equipment that is easy to transport was critical for a sport in its growth phase, as it reduces logistical challenges involved with organising tournaments, Augusztin said.

"We have big plans for the future and the goals and field will enable expansion of water skyball throughout Europe as well as allowing more tournaments to be held.

"Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports globally and we think water skyball is the pickleball of the water. It has potential for huge growth because it’s so accessible to people of all ages and abilities."

The Water Skyball Federation partnered with the National University of Sport and Physical Recreation Romania and Germany’s Elite Water Polo Club to run the tournament, with many of the water polo club’s members relishing the opportunity to participate in the competition.

Augusztin said water polo organisations have shown particular interest in water skyball because they see its potential to complement their own sport by enabling people to experience an aquatic sport without having to be strong swimmers.

"The successful tournament in Bucharest is just the beginning. We're excited to watch water skyball grow throughout Europe and eventually worldwide," Augusztin said.

Water skyball is played in waist-deep water between teams of two and has been steadily gaining popularity since its creation in 2013. It was designed to be the optimum sport to blend physical and mental skills development, while being accessible to all players and maintaining an undercurrent of fun.

The sport features four-meter-wide goals divided into central and outer scoring sections which affect the number of points per goal scored. The distance a shooter is from the goal also affects the number of points scored, encouraging strategic attacking techniques and teamwork.

Packaworld Chief Executive Peter Roberts said the portable goals were designed to be as user-friendly as possible to help boost the sport's growth.

"Our inflatable goals maintain the rigidity needed for competitive water skyball play, while solving the logistical challenges that might otherwise limit where tournaments can be held.

"The expansion of the sport into Bucharest and Romania reinforces our belief in water skyball's bright future. The sport combines strategic elements with accessibility in a way that's truly unique among water sports."

>> Want to know more about Packaworld's portable Water Skyball Packagoals and fields of play? View our Water Skyball goals and fields web page.