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For the first
time New Zealand was represented
at the World Petanque
Championships. This year held in
Brussels, the championship
attracted 65 teams from 33
countries. New Zealand had the
smallest contingent present,
comprising Mick Sharpe,
Christian Fouquet and Cam Calder
who shared the responsibilities
of players, coaches, managers
and delegates to the annual
congress of the FIPJP.
We had to call
upon, at different times, the
services of Peter de Beer, our
first overseas member who is
based in UK, Rory O’Brien, to
act as score keepers during
actual games, each team being
responsible for appointing one
score keeper for each game they
were involved in. We managed to
fulfil all our obligations bar
one - a reception with the
Burgomaster of Brussels which
took place when New Zealand was
about to play it’s first game.
It is good, that
this year, all who have
qualified to represent New
Zealand have indicated their
availability and enthusiasm to
do so. Our experience would
suggest however that it would be
useful to have some support
personnel in the team in
addition to the players.
Preparation
In the months
leading up to departure the team
enlisted the help of Robin
McConnell who is completing his
Doctorate in Sports Team
Leadership, Massey University
Albany Campus. Robin who had
spent some time working with the
All Blacks led a number of
sessions with the team looking
at techniques of concentration,
motivation and dealing with
competitive stress.
His suggestions
proved invaluable when playing
in front of a 7000 strong crowd
of banner bearing, flag waving,
trumpet blowing, drum beating,
chanting Belgiums!
The secretary
approached a number of firms for
sponsorship and we were
fortunate to receive for a
tracksuit and 3 T-shirts for
each team member from London
Marketing/BIA Active Wear who
were then equipping a New
Zealand Universities contingent,
Canterbury (NZ) and Nike
provided gear at wholesale
prices as did Cambridge Clothing
who made the teams black
blazers. Peugeot provided some
jackets.
This support was
much appreciated, ensuring the
team was always well turned out.
We received compliments on our
kit from a number of quarters,
perhaps the most appreciated
being one from those arbiters of
sartorial elegance - the Italian
team.
Michael Clark
helped with some sturdy travel
bags and Air NZ sponsorship
meant that team members personal
travel costs were considerably
reduced. Thank you to all the
above.
Results
The team left New
Zealand determined to do their
best but expecting they may be
lucky to score a point. The end
result, New Zealand won 2 games
and came 49 out of 65 teams.
Obviously huge room for
improvement but at least New
Zealand now has its foot on the
ladder of international
competition and it is reasonable
to hope for a steady improvement
in results over future years as
players gain more experience.
Lessons learnt
were many and varied and all
team members are happy to
discuss our experience with any
interested parties. The biggest
need currently in the New
Zealand game is for players who
can shoot successfully,
consistently.
Forgetting the
delight of the couple of wins
and several of the close games a
major pleasure from competing in
the Worlds was the camaraderie
among teams.
I will never
forget post final celebrations –
4.00am in the morning, a couple
of the new World Champions,
Germany and Dutch players,
members of the Irish and New
Zealand teams all together in
convivial celebration of the
conclusion of a memorable
tournament.
The 1995 New
Zealand Team members will have a
tangible reminder of the 31st
World Petanque Championships
Hervé Rofristch
of La Boule Bleue organised the
hand making of a set of boules
to each team members
specifications to mark New
Zealand’s first international
victory. A generous gesture,
much appreciated by the team.
Cam Calder,
'Boules Gazette', December 1995 |
