A new sport named bubble soccer is blowing up in the Fredericton area this year.
“It’s basically exactly the same as soccer in terms of scoring,” says Co-owner of Bubble Soccer Fredericton, Dekota Fletcher.
“70 per cent is hitting, and 30 per cent is soccer,” said Fletcher.
According to Fletcher, bubble soccer, is extremely safe and he has never seen an injury although players must sign a waiver before playing.
The bubbles are filled with air with two shoulder straps on the inside to be worn like a back-pack. There are two handles in the front.
Bubble soccer is gaining more popularity in Fredericton, with a possibility of tournaments being held at inside with an open-top for air circulation. A second opening is located at the bottom to allow feet movement for running and kicking the soccer ball.
For now, most games are played on the soccer fields of Waterloo Street but will move indoors during the winter’s heavy snow fall.
“It’s more of a mobile business,” says Fletcher. “We service the area.”
He has plans to expand the sport to CFB Gagetown, high schools and local universities.
“The St. Thomas Student Union has engaged us to put together a tournament,” said Fletcher.
Bubble soccer will be league, which Fletcher believes, “could be a good opportunity for both parties.”
Fletcher said Bubble Soccer originated in Norway and has recently made its way to North America, and now Fredericton.
Fredericton Bubble Soccer has a total of 24 bubbles and is a sport that is good for all ages, according to Fletcher.
“When you are playing and get hit it doesn’t hurt at all because the bubble takes the full impact,” said Fletcher. “It is something that will go especially good with STU and UNB because the two universities have access to the Bank of Montreal dome on UNB campus.”
