What you need for a flyball competition

A flyball competition needs more than flyball boxes and jumps. You will also need clearly marked start and finish areas, reliable timing, printed match paperwork, power for the equipment and water stations for the dogs. Plan supplies around the number of teams, officials and volunteers, then add spares for wet weather, lost paperwork and equipment failures. This checklist helps you shop for the competition day without overlooking the small items that keep matches moving.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 40
High tablesqty 4
Foldable tablesqty 3
Waste binsqty 6

Sports equipment

Flyball boxesqty 2
Flyball obstaclesqty 16
Start line matsqty 2
Finish line matsqty 2
Barrier tapeqty 4
Conesqty 24
Training ballsqty 30
Dog water bowlsqty 10
Dog waste bag holdersqty 4

Equipment

Electronic timing
Stopwatchesqty 4
Laptop
Printer
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Mobile phonesqty 4
Megaphone
Portable speaker
Power banksqty 4

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 120
Platesqty 80
Cutlery setsqty 80
Coffee cupsqty 40
Thermos flasksqty 6
Serving plattersqty 8

Kitchen

Coolersqty 4
Kettlesqty 2
Coffee machinesqty 2
Cutting boardsqty 3
Bread knivesqty 3
Serving utensilsqty 8
Ice packsqty 20

Decorations

Competition flagsqty 8
Bannersqty 6
Tableclothsqty 10
Bib numbersqty 40
Directional signsqty 12
Prize displaysqty 3

Lighting

LED lampsqty 8
String lightsqty 4

Cleaning

Broomqty 3
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Mopsqty 2
Bucketsqty 3
Dog waste pickersqty 3
First aid kit

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Tea assortment - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 6 bottles
- Iced tea - 6 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Apples - 8 kilograms
- Bananas - 6 kilograms
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Sandwiches - 100 pieces
- Wholemeal bread - 6 loaves
- Cheese sandwiches - 30 pieces
- Ham sandwiches - 25 pieces
- Vegetarian filled sandwiches - 20 pieces
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Ham - 1.5 kilograms
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Cucumber - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 4 kilogram
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Savory nuts - 6 bags
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Muesli bars - 6 boxes
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Dog biscuits - 6 bags
- Dog waste bags - 20 rolls
- Ice cubes - 10 bags
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 50 pieces
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Disinfectant wipes - 4 packs
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Bread bags - 2 boxes

Tips

Prepare one complete race setup plus spare balls, cones and marking materials. A missing ball or moved obstacle can delay the next heat, so keep replacement training balls and extra course markers together.
Allow at least one water bowl per active dog area, with additional bowls near waiting and warm-up zones. Refill them throughout the day rather than relying on a single water point.
Test electronic timing, stopwatches, the laptop and the printer before the first teams arrive. Bring charged power banks, extension cords and power strips so a flat battery or distant socket does not stop results processing.
Pack printed start lists, match forms and the competition schedule in separate labelled folders. Print spare copies before the event; replacing one missing sheet is faster than rebuilding paperwork during a match.
Set up waste bins and dog waste bag holders before registration opens. Put reusable cups, plates, cutlery, coffee cups and filled thermos flasks at the refreshment point so volunteers are not searching for supplies during judging.

Frequently asked questions

What equipment do I need for a flyball competition?: You need flyball boxes, flyball obstacles, start-line and finish-line mats, cones and timing equipment. Include stopwatches as a backup even when electronic timing is available, and keep spare balls on site.
How many water bowls do I need for a flyball competition?: Plan at least one bowl for each dog-care or waiting area, with extra bowls for busy zones and replacement during cleaning. Check the stations before registration and refill them throughout the competition day.
What should I print for a flyball competition?: Print the competition schedule, start lists and match forms, plus spare copies of each. Prepare them before the event and separate them into labelled folders so officials can find the right paperwork quickly.
How do I prepare power and timing for flyball day?: Charge timing devices, mobile phones and power banks the day before. Pack extension cords and power strips, test the laptop and printer before setup, and keep stopwatches available if electronic timing fails.

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