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Hi everyone, It is with mixed
emotions that I write this
annual report because it is my
last one not only as President
but also as a committee member
of Petanque New Zealand.
Nearly 8 years ago at the Atomic
Cafe in Ponsonby, Auckland I was
one of the original 12 members
who created the then NZPA. That
year I was going to France for a
holiday and met the President of
the International Federation, Mr
Bernard in Nice, who did all the
necessary paperwork to integrate
New Zealand as part of the FIPJP.
One year later I was sent by the
NZPA to our first international
meeting in Brussels and had the
honour of representing New
Zealand as a player. I will
always treasure it.
During the past 8 years, I have
been to 5 World Championships
and 2 Oceania Championships as
well as other international and
national tournaments. I have met
hundreds of people both overseas
and in New Zealand and made many
friends, which is what petanque
is all about.
My advice is to be competitive
in your games but keep the
friendships and never say
anything about your opponents or
your partners whether you win or
lose. Of course as in any new
organisation the NZPA/PNZ has
had its fair share of
controversy and even conflicts,
but in the end, thanks to the
dedication of some good people
we have managed to achieve a lot
of positive results which no one
can deny.
Petanque in New Zealand is now
part of the culture if not as a
sport, at least as an outdoor
recreational game played by
young and old.
We have close to 50 clubs with
approximately 1500 members all
over the country. With the
Hillary Commission, Kiwi
Petanque, a proposed coaching
and umpiring programme, sponsors
(Peugeot) along with a full
calendar of regional, national
and international tournaments,
the future is looking good.
To all the people who have been
unhappy with some of the things
that have occurred over the
years, I would recommend they
get elected onto the committee.
This is the best opportunity
they have to make changes.
To those who do not want to work
in the committee of PNZ, I urge
you to be patient and understand
that we are all volunteers
trying our best to please all
the members. If you have a
problem or an idea, put it in
writing to PNZ so they can
discuss it at a meeting rather
than bringing up controversial
items at the AGM.
I leave this year, confident
that the next Committee will do
their best and will get all my
support. I will remain a fervent
member of PNZ and hope to enjoy
many more years of petanque in
New Zealand.
I would like to thank all the
people I worked with, played
with or against, laughed or
cried with, but most of all I
want to thank my wife Rolinka
and my kids Natalie and Andre
for supporting me all these
years in this very time
demanding and financially
draining dream of mine.
See you all on the terrains
Christian Fouquet
President |
