Kick Bola Urbana - PRESS RELEASE

Kick Bola Urbana – the world's first soccer theme park in São Paulo, Brazil

São Paulo, Brazil - Kick Bola Urbana is the first and only soccer amusement park. It is no coincidence that it was developed in Brazil, “the land of soccer”. Brazilian players are known for their creativity on the field, and creativity is in abundance at Kick Bola Urbana. The entertainment center has quickly become a hit with all ages, primarily children ages 5 to 14.

Concept:

Completely different from any soccer you've ever seen, Bola Urbana recreates the sensation of playing soccer in grafitti painted streets and alleys (playing in the streets is certainly something that not too many children can do these days in large cities like São Paulo that has over 18 million people). Complete with posters pasted to walls, streetlamps, grafitti on the walls, pedestrian crosswalks, street signs and sewer drains painted on the floor, playing at Kick is a combination of radical soccer meets technology. This soccer entertainment center contains nine completely different ways to play soccer, all indoor and all safe from rain and heat.

Locale:

Located in a huge converted industrial warehouse close to major shopping malls and leading schools in the city of São Paulo, the exterior of the building already sets the tone – painted in vibrant colors, with posters of soccer players doing bicycles and other radical maneuvers, one enters through two huge iron doors. Inside are soccer shoes hanging from what appear to be electrical wires (just like on the streets), grafitti on the walls and the ticket booth is the same structure used at the entrance to a parking lot. A large glass enclosed room within the park is available for parties and events, the Bola Urbana Store, with clothing and eqiuipment all bearing the Kick logo is right inside the front doors, and the Bola Urbana snack bar/restaurant serves everything from quick snacks to fresh fruit juices and ice cream.

The Project:

Creator of the project, Darryl Kirsh, a Canadian living in Brazil for over 10 years, noted a lack of creativity in exploring Brazilian soccer. At the same time, a lack of safe entertainment options for ages 6 – 14. During two years, Kirsh planned this entertainment complex which includes a high tech soccer school, birthday parties and corporate events, pay as you play for the public, and holiday programs for kids.

There are nine different ways to play soccer at Bola Urbana;

1. Goalie: The participant defends the goal against a machine specially designed to launch soccer balls, varying the speed, angle and height throughout the time of 2 minutes. On the floor are the outlines of fallen opponents to the machine. Above is a clock and scoreboard that keeps track of goals against the player.

2. Velobol: Recreating the thrill of breaking a neighbor's window, Velobol combines the skill of hitting a mock-up window (with the sound of breaking glass) with the challenge of speed. A radar machine measures the velocity of all kicks that break the window.

3. Soccer Underground: (Garage Ball) – Every great Brazilian player grew up playing garage ball soccer! This time, the game is played in a garage, but in the dark, with only black light to show the players vests, the ball and the goals. Emergency lights flash and electronic music plays during the 5 minutes of this radical game. The players (4 x 4) descend to play by industrial elevator, complete with sirens and smoke that rises as the elevator descends. Accompanied by a referee, the players are protected from the concrete pillars and other obstacles which are all covered by thick foam.

4. Futegolfe: An adaptation of mini golf, only players kick a mini soccer ball instead of using a golf club. Moving objects, tires, traffic cones, and plumbing tubing are all part of the urban setting.

5. 1X1: This fenced-in oval space of 5.30m x 3.80m contain two mini goals which serve as the center of attention for the 2 players in 1 x 1. During a hard fought 2 minutes, the player with the most goals, wins.

6. Wrap: Ever played tetherball? The game with a ball suspended from a rope now has new rules at Bola Urbana. No hands, just feet, head and chest. The first to wrap the ball and cord round the iron post in his/her direction, wins.

7. Street box: In a grafitti painted rectangle, with 2 of the sides using uneven fencing, 3 against 3 competitors play an intense type of streetball. Flipping the ball from behind, using subtle manouvers, the team who not only scores most goals but make the most “beautiful plays”, win.

8. Freestyle: In 45 seconds the participant tries to perform the most radical manouvers possible with a soccer ball. Scorpion, flips, sidewinders and other famous moves are worth valuable points. Everyone is video taped, and player with the most votes not only wins a prize, but goes on the months finals.

9. Bicycle: In an L shaped space, a machine similar to the one used in goalie launches balls to a player in position and waiting to receive the ball in an area covered with thick foam. The player tries to do the bicycle kick, made famous by Brazilian player Pelé. A scoreboard keeps track of attempts and goals.

At all of the areas are monitors, normally soccer players or students of physical education, to orient and supervise. Aside from the public, there are birthday parties, especially for the 6 to 12 age group practically every day. These range from friends parties of 15 to 25 all the way to VIP parties of 100 and more. Corporate events are common at Bola Urbana, especially product launches related to sports as well as Happy Hours and end of year parties.

Darryl Kirsh
Kick Bola Urbana: Rua Bacaetava, n. 250
Brooklin, São Paulo
tel. (55)(11)5044-5088
site: www.kickbolaurbana.com.br

Kick Urbana - Sao Paolo, Brazil

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