news blog

Dozens more social bocce leagues have sprung up across the USA in recent years, fuelled by a new generation of players, portable bocce courts, and the kind of raw enthusiasm only the American Bocce Company (ABC) can provide.

Traditionally enjoyed by a more mature audience, bocce has captured the imagination of younger generations over the past decade, with participation numbers now reaching all-time highs.

ABC co-founder Alex Gara said ABC had recorded a 1,000% growth in players in its social bocce leagues since 2015 and numbers today were 40% higher than the previous peak in 2019, just before the Covid-19 pandemic.

A bright idea from a bocce lover in the remote Canadian town of Killarney has transformed its community centre’s curling rink into a hot new venue for summer bocce.

The transformation has been made possible through the purchase of two of Packaworld’s portable bocce courts, which take centre stage on Tuesdays for a social league being run by the local council during curling’s off-season.

Municipality of Killarney Project Coordinator Sanket Shinde said bringing the traditional Italian sport to the area was part of the municipality’s goal of improving community wellbeing and social engagement through recreation.

Although Killarney had a population of less than 500, locals deserved the same kinds of opportunities to enjoy physical activity as people in larger localities, he said.

The Paralympic Games in Paris have the world’s sports fans enthralled with the determination, ability and will to succeed of all the amazing athletes taking part.

But while the pinnacle event for disabled sports draws the crowds, some equally exciting happenings are afoot at grassroots level, where participation numbers are on the rise.

The economic impact of parasports events in the US was $139M in 2022, a 78% increase from 2021, according to a 2023 survey by All in Sport Consulting.

This rise in economic impact and participation is being driven by a variety of factors, including increased visibility through global events, and better access to equipment and facilities that enable sport to be played by all.

Special Olympics Singapore hosted its first national bocce competition in more than two years last month, signalling a return to top-level play for some the country’s most dedicated and skilful Special Olympics bocce athletes.

Three of Packaworld’s portable Packabocce courts, sponsored by UOL Group Limited, set the sporting scene for the 25 participating athletes, who relished the opportunity to compete at host venue Bendemeer Secondary School on 13 July.

Special Olympics Singapore Sports Manager Samy Lim said that the courts added a touch of professionalism to the event, which was an all-round success and a good indicator of the steady rise in popularity of bocce throughout Singapore.

Aspiring Water Skyball coaches and referees from across Europe recently took part in training camp in Hungary as the sport prepares to launch new leagues throughout the continent.

Originally developed in Hungary, the sport is gaining popularity and is on the cusp of international expansion with the help of new portable goals that allow organisers to take the game almost anywhere.

The coach and referee training session was held at the Fontanus Sports Centre near Szeged, a day before the WSB Amateur Cup at the Makó Hagymatikum Spa in nearby Makó.

“We’ve come a long way since the first Water Skyball match back in 2014,” says Water Skyball Federation President Zsolt Gyuris.

Bringing bocce ball to your next social event, team building day or festival can pump up the fun levels and add an extra dimension that brings people together and unites them in the joy of sport.

Packaworld’s high-quality inflatable Packabocce courts come in three sizes – Competition, Recreation and Mini – making it easy for event organisers and venue hosts to bring the game.

This month we explore five ways you can incorporate bocce ball into your events to make them as memorable as possible.

Read on to gain some inspiration for bringing bocce ball to your next event.

The first-ever Special Olympics Caribbean Regional Bocce Tournament took place on 23-25 May, with athletes from across the archipelago throwing and rolling for glory on six portable courts provided by Packaworld.

The ground-breaking tournament was held at the Lions Centre in George Town, Cayman Islands’ capital, and welcomed teams from 16  surrounding Caribbean nations plus a US bocce squad representing Special Olympics North Carolina.

Competition Manager and Head Coach for Special Olympics Cayman Islands Nicole Thompson said the highlight of the tournament was bringing together athletes from so many neighbouring countries, making it a truly Caribbean competition.

Bocce has been experiencing a boom in popularity in the south of the Golden State, aided by Special Olympics community programs, passionate volunteers and new portable bocce courts that allow the game to be brought anywhere.

Nowhere was this more evident than at Special Olympics Southern California’s recent Ventura County Bocce Competition and Santa Clarita Valley Bocce Competition, where an impressive 29 teams  competed for glory.

Special Olympics Southern California Director of Sports and Programs Wendy Ellet said the recent purchase of 13 high-quality inflatable courts from Packaworld made it easier than ever to provide a memorable experience for the athletes taking part.