BizBeat: Knockerball rolls in new entertainment option

Knockerball, a new entertainment
option available in Jefferson City, allows
players to participate in a high-contact
game cushioned by the inflatable plastic
bubble surrounding them.
Knockerball, a new entertainment option available in Jefferson City, allows players to participate in a high-contact game cushioned by the inflatable plastic bubble surrounding them.

The next time you consider renting a bounce house for a birthday party, you might try renting a Knockerball instead.

Knockerball - also known as "bubble soccer" - allows players to participate in a high-contact game cushioned by the inflatable plastic bubble surrounding them.

The Knockerball company has 115 U.S. affiliates, and now the equipment is available to rent locally through Knockerball Mid-Missouri.

While there is a formal Knockerball game with rules similar to soccer, the local company can also teach groups a variety of games using the Knockerball bubbles. Typically they're rented out for events like birthday parties, festivals, fundraisers and corporate retreats.

"It's kind of a full-service product. We don't just come and drop the equipment off; we actually run the event for you," said Donnell Rehagen, owner of the Knockerball Mid-Missouri franchise. He's already booked a Knockerball event with the Jefferson City Rotaract organization.

Knockerball Mid-Missouri has made arrangements with Jefferson City's parks and recreation department to use some of their fields for groups that may not have a suitable location for a Knockerball game. They're working on a similar arrangement in Columbia.

"Because it's new, because it's fun, I think it's going to really fit that middle school through college demographic. And, if you think about it, that's kind of the demographic where they're the ones who are always complaining there's nothing to do around here," Rehagen said. "It's healthy as well. We get kids active, we get them running, we get them laughing, we get them having fun. That's really what Knockerball is all about."

Other Missouri Knockerball affiliates are in St. Louis and Kansas City. Rehagen has talked preliminarily with those affiliates about setting up Knockerball tournaments in the future.

For more information about Knockerball Mid-Missouri, visit knockerballmidmo.com.

Know of any business happenings around Jefferson City? Let us know at [email protected] or 573-761-0259.