• New Zealand Teams

• Memo from Montpellier - Cam Calder

• Report - Christian Fouquet

New Zealand Teams

Jean-Pierre Bedel, Phillippe Bourel, Pam Jenkins

Christian Fouquet, Jean Peni, Niau Ruta

Memo from Montpellier - Cam Calder

All who went to the 33rd World Petanque Championships gained immensely from doing so, the experience of playing in the cauldron of an international competition (or sauna as the sun-baked, black, ill ventilated venue proved to be) is unique, descriptions can partially prepare one but there is nothing like first hand experience, equally the many international friendships made are beyond price.

The highlight for me as 'chef delegation' after New Zealand’s epic game against Morocco, a loss but a game which commanded the respect of the spectator gallery and a very positive Congress attended by delegates from all the countries participating, was being threatened with being made an honorary member of the Irish Petanque Association! I am keeping a wary eye on the post.

Friendships made at the one annual event where all countries can meet serve to bind the greater petanque family together and the game and players of all countries benefit as a result of subsequent exchange of correspondence and visits.

As earlier alluded to the Congress of delegates was very worthwhile. Headphones provided simultaneous translation of French into English and vice versa. The Congress started with two sessions where delegates could discuss promotion of the game or changes to the structure of the World Championships, Rules of the Game, etc.

After much useful discussion, voting by the assembled countries decided that in future World Championships - each country would be represented by one team only (in 1998 the World Championships Tunisia and organising country Spain are allowed two teams but this allowance will be voted upon at the 1998 Congress).

• The host country will cover the expenses of four persons e.g. three players and one delegate.

• A reserve player will be allowed ie. teams can consist of four players.

All these remits were passed with significant majorities. At this point Spain then announced that she would hold the 1998 World Championships in Las Palmas, Canary Islands, 23rd - 27th September 1998.

Morocco & Australia registered an interest for 1999 and the United States for 2000. Obviously the 1999 and 2000 have yet to be confirmed but it seems the revised format has meant that more countries can contemplate grappling with the logistics of lodging, transport, catering, terrain provision for the one team / one country competition.

With Petanque continuing to grow worldwide - the respite may be temporary - Mauritius, Seychelles and Mali are now full members of the FIPJP with Vanuatu, Burkina Faso, Laos and Poland seeking provisional membership.

'Boules Gazette', October 1997, Issue 9

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Report - Christian Fouquet

Well, another World Champs has come again with it’s share of drama and glory with a French crowd of 4,100 which could have been tripled if the hall was larger.

The biggest upset came from the local team of Marco Foyot, Michel Passo and Jose Farre, who lost to France(2) at 2.00am, after leading 12- 8, when France(2) scored 5 points at the next end and won 13-12 against the run of play.

The other upset of course was that a very deserving Tunisian team who lost last year in the final against France(1), had a sweet revenge by beating France(2).

For the two New Zealand teams the results were satisfying as we beat the Seychelles Islands 13 - 2, Senegal 13 - 8 and Andorra 13-0.

We could have done a bit better, but the conditions were not easy and the pitch was hard to master, the heat was extreme over 30°C and the play was going from 8.00am to 2.30am the next day.

Despite all that we had a great time and enjoyed the experience and were all proud to represent New Zealand in 1997. Good luck to the New Zealand team for 1998, who will play in Los Palmas in the Canary Islands, off the coast of Morocco. See you on the petanque pitches.

'Boules Gazette', October 1997, Issue 9