Southern California bocce scene gathers momentum with portable courts

Bocce ball is on the rise across Southern California as new inflatable courts help the state's Special Olympics athletes enjoy the sport they love in more locations.

There are now dozens of Packabocce courts in use from San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles, in Special Olympics Southern California community and school programs – making it easier than ever for athletes to hone their bocce skills in professional playing conditions.

The recent Ventura County Bocce Competition at Rancho Campana High School provided more than 250 athletes from 40 teams the chance to compete on 11 portable courts, featuring both traditional and unified bocce formats.

Special Olympics Southern California Region 1 Programs Manager Ryan Grabow said bocce ball enthusiasts were “loving the courts” in his region, which covers the San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties.   

Coaches across the rest of Southern California agree, commenting how easy it is to set up and take down the courts.

“It really makes a difference for our athletes to practice on. The athletes were so thankful and excited to begin practicing on their new court,” said Whittier coaches Jill Wall and Joan Kozak.

Special Olympics Southern California Region 2 Program Director Teresa Borunda said the region she was in – including Los Angeles, Kern and Inyo Counties – now had 15 portable bocce courts serving an ever-growing number of athletes.

“Bocce is an incredibly inclusive sport that can be played by athletes of all ability levels and ages. Its accessibility, combined with the strong sense of community it creates, continues to draw in new athletes, families, and volunteers.” 

Borunda said bocce’s popularity had never been bigger in Southern California.

“Bocce growth in our region tends to happen organically and is closely tied to the number of trained and committed coaches. The addition of new courts absolutely supports that growth by allowing coaches to expand their programs and serve more athletes.”

Packaworld Chief Executive Peter Roberts said bocce’s growth in Southern California was a great example of the massive rise in people playing bocce ball across the world.

“With our easy-to-assemble products, coaches like Jill and Joan can set up a regulation court at their local park or school gymnasium in minutes, pack it away after practice and use it to enable competitions – we’re incredibly proud of the impact the courts are having.”

Video: Ribbon cutting in Whittier, celebrating the arrival of a new bocce court