7 News Belize

How About Scubble?
posted (January 23, 2017)
So, while hardcore football fans might be struggling to get over the disappointing outcome in this tournament, maybe you're in the mood for a lighter hybrid version of the sport.

It's called bubble football, and it started off as a joke back in 2011. Since then, it's gained popularity all over the world, and now, it's being played in Belize.

This weekend, our news team went to find out more about this quirky sport, and why those who brought it home with them are hoping that Belizeans pick it up. Daniel Ortiz has that story:

Daniel Ortiz Reporting
Seeing these two "pigeon goals" and this football, on the field, you might think this a set-up for a friendly match is about to start momentarily.

But, what you certainly won't find on any other football pitch are these human sized bubbles.

Each Player is expected to put these on their torsos as part of the equipment, kinda like how a pair of football pegs are expected in a game of football.

They also wear protective gear on elbows, knees and shins because in this game, there will be physical contact.

And these bubbles are where it gets its name, bubble football or bubble soccer in the US, or Loopyball in Germany.

And now, young entrepreneur Salim Hoy, has brought it to Belize along with is rebranding he calls "Scubble".

He says he discovered it while away in Taiwan studying.

Salim Hoy - Owner, Scubble
"I was studying in Taiwan, just last year. I went up for 8 years masters and bachelors, and that's where I found out about this bubble soccer game. So, basically, it's like playing football, but inside a bubble, as you could see in the back. And, there's no way possible that you could get hurt. The thing engulfs you all the way from above your head, to close to your knees."

"I believe I had read that it had started in Sweden, but it started as a joke, when their commentators, they said, 'You know, football would be so much fun they were in a bubble protected by some thing.' One of the guys took it seriously, went back to the UK, made an investment, and bubble soccer came to life."

"I brought it to Belize, ordered it online. Actually, I won it from a competition Carpe Diem, the Rising Entreprenaur. So, I got funded by them. I got the money, and I ordered, and just waited for it to come."

In traditional football, unnecessary roughness and tackling aren't allowed, but in bubble football - or "Scubble" - it is actually encouraged.

The bubbles make for interesting and fun game play, and no one will get hurt even with the fiercest of tackles.

Hoy outlined other rules to the game.

Salim Hoy
"The purpose of the bubble is to shield you, but the number 1 rule, unlike football, is that you make contact, and that's the fun of the game, which makes it a fitness sport."

And though these first-time players of bubble football don't have the skill to go pro yet, Hoy is hoping that the sport's popularity will catch on, because he has a business model for it, which he hopes will meet with success here.

Salim Hoy
"Here is a perfect way to while playing, you could burn calories, and when you fall down, you have to get up on your knees. So, you're using your abs all the time. So, like for people who don't like the gym and stuff, and they want to have some fun in a different way, it's a perfect way to play football and exercise at the same time."

Daniel Ortiz, 7News
"Is it very expensive?"

Salim Hoy
"Yeah, it's really expensive. So, if I hadn't been funded from winning a competition, it would have probably started maybe in a year. I wanted to mention, mostly the prices per bubble would be like $50 each per person, but we want to make it affordable for the public. So, for the kids, we're going like $10 per kid for half an hour, and adults $15 per adult, for half an hour."

I've been back for the past 5 months, but I didn't get the bubbles until 2 weeks ago. So, I've been making like promotional material, and people are excited. I've been promoting on Facebook, so that's where I'm getting all the comments. And people have been from Cayo, Corozal, and even in the City excited to try this game out.

Some comments that I've gotten would be like, 'I could be a real daredevil in this game. I could throw myself everywhere, get hit, and nothing's gonna happen to me. We could get wild on the field.' You know, it's all about bumping. People are excited, They say, 'My kids could really use a nice little work out, kill their energy, and they could have fun.' Kids get excited when they see it."

You can find Hoy's Facebook page, Scubble, dedicated to the sport.

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