History 14

Petanque New Zealand

Petanque New Zealand Magazine, Issue 1, September 2005

First Auckland Life Member

Jim Shields from the Epsom Club was recently made the first Life Member of the Auckland Petanque Association. Life Membership is awarded for meritorious service in the interest of petanque.

Jim was instrumental in establishing the APA and was its first President. He has always been a great supporter of the game in the Auckland area. He helped many clubs when they were being established, and he and his wife Ann have been constant supporters of club tournaments for many years. Jim's contribution to the development of the sport in our region is appreciated by its clubs and players, and that contribution is now fairly recognized

Michael Emerson

Preparing For Brussels 2005

Introduction

This article looks at the preparation the NZ team is undergoing before the World Championships in Brussels, September 2005. This article could be of general interest to many in the NZ Petanque community to learn more about the World Championships and how the players prepare. For players at all levels who want to improve their game there are ideas in this article that may help, or which can be adapted to improve their own game. The approach taken to preparing for the World Championships can be adapted to any competition. It’s also hoped that this article may give some insight as to how and why the national selectors make their decisions.

This article is in two parts:

Part 1 is an analysis of what is required from a team competing successfully at the World Championships. If you don’t know the right diagnosis you can’t choose the right medicine. So Part 1 lays down the vision of what NZ teams need to do to succeed.

Part 2 is a description of how the team are trained to achieve that vision. It includes a simplified explanation of the types of coaching and training they do.

Part (1): Analysis – Success at the World Championships

Preparation for the 2005 World Championships began with the debrief from the 2004 Championships. 2004 was the first time I’d been to the World Championships and while I’d spoken at length to many players from previous years, and watched many videos, there’s nothing like the experience of being there. It is clear that NZ petanque is up against some serious barriers in achieving success at this tournament.

Small pool of Players

The majority of PNZ’s membership are social or club players. Competitive players who regularly train and practice for improvement is probably less than 50 players.

World Championships in September, usually in Europe.

This means training through the New Zealand winter, with virtually no indoor terrains for protection. The terrains are wet and soggy, the total opposite of the super-hard bases in Europe. There are no meaningful tournaments here to help get the team competition prepared. And the costs are high – about $5000 per person plus daily spending money.

Little previous coaching information.

In 2004 I was the first New Zealand coach to go to the World Championships, so there was no body of coaching experience I could draw from. This article is part of the increased information becoming available to help the standard of play in NZ to improve. After last years Worlds, combined with two Trans Tasman’s, an Oceania and Pan Pacific Tournament, I had a much better idea of what was required for a team to succeed. I was in a position to make a better analysis of the game.

The Petanque World Championships are designed to ensure the most skilful and best prepared teams succeed. The highest skills in our sport are shooting `on the full’, and to be able to point consistently well on very technically demanding terrains. These are the skills needed at the Worlds. Preparation is firstly ensuring players are chosen with the right skills, combined with the right mental skills and attributes.

Then follows a cycle of:

Plan what each player and the team needs
Train to improve the skills and attributes identified
Test that the plan and training is working
Then the plan is redrawn, and so on as a continuous cycle of improvement

So armed with the last year or mores experience it was possible to plan what qualities an ideal team from New Zealand would need.

The qualities below are what is expected, for current and future New Zealand teams:

Team of Four

By far the majority of teams have four players. I was very glad we had four players available in 2004. It gives important tactical options and reassurance to the players. The increased options it gives clearly increases the team’s performances. And as coach I’ll always make sure it’s clear that it’s a team of four – not a team of three and a reserve.
Mental Toughness.

The Worlds is a unique and intimidating tournament. The players need to have a strong sense of self worth and confidence. Fragility will be exposed. Mental toughness and character needed in other sports is equally applicable to Petanque. Some adjectives I’d use to describe the mental attributes required of Petanque players at an international level would be:
- Even-tempered and patient (not easily unsettled)
- Resilient (quick to recover from set-backs)
- Competitive (wants to win)
- Self-reliant (not dependant on re-assurance of others)
- Committed (to the team, to hard work and the game)
- Aggressive (sporting aggressors make things happen)
- Confident
- Optimistic
- Responsible (for their behaviour and their performances)
- Coachable (some players never really listen, or they have all the answers themselves!)
60 % Team Shooting.

This is the minimum standard needed to compete at the top half of the tournament. It’s also a fair target for where we’re at in New Zealand. This may not sound high, but it’s a higher percentage than we’ve had from previous New Zealand teams. To achieve this a team needs a first shooter who hits 70 % or more, a millieur at 60% and a first pointer who shoots 50%. And this is an average over a number of games, on terrains that are very difficult – usually needing to hit ball to ball to succeed.
Technical Pointing.

Most New Zealand terrains (which have soft bases) reward lazy pointing. Players who get the “weight” of the shot right can get a high success rate. Players develop a feel for the weight like lawn bowlers or golfers putting do. However, technical pointing is played very differently. When a terrain only has a few spots suitable for landing the ball, pointers have to read the terrain, land in the spot the terrain demands, and adjust not just the weight but the arc and appropriate spin. It is a far more precise and skilful shot. Pointers need as big a range of type of shots they can play as possible, rather than being limited to a single weighted throw.
Leadership.

A team needs to develop a strong intuition to allow a good flow to their game, and this comes through experience together. But it also needs a captain. You ultimately need somebody responsible for decisions on the terrain. The captain should have respect from all the players, but not necessarily be the best or strongest player. It is vital that the captain fully understands and shares a similar philosophy to the coach and can communicate very well with the coach. I also personally prefer for the captain to be the first pointer or millieur. It seems first shooters are best left to relax, and not think too much or worry about tactics.
Team Composition.

I believe NZ for some years to come will have to select a `role’ playing team for the Worlds. In a role-playing team there is little movement in each of the playing positions. A first pointer knows their role and sticks to it. The first shooter hits balls, but may not be a great pointer. The millieur will be a complete player and in Europe is usually the star of the team. The Belgian team is a good example of a successful role-playing team. With the small player base that we have in New Zealand, the role-playing team is the best option. This means a specialist pointer or shooter still has a chance to make the team and contribute well. It also gives players confidence to clearly know and settle into their roles.

In the longer term as our game develops, the `complete’ team may be an option as our skills and experience improve. A complete team is one of fully skilled players, who may play to roles, but if one misses a couple of shots, the playing positions are shuffled. The French team are selected as a `complete’ team. All can shoot and point with equal confidence, and roles may be changed through a game.
Financially Responsible.

Petanque is a minority sport; there is no huge pool of money waiting to support the players. So there is always going to be financial costs to the players for going to the Worlds. This year the players will be away from their work for more than 3 weeks. This is because we need to get to Europe as early as possible and do a few warm up tournaments. So players need to be able to take that time away, and pay for their costs for this time. It is likely to be this way in upcoming years. So for each player there is significant cost both financially and in time away from work.

We don’t want representation at the Worlds only for those financially able to afford it. However if team members can’t afford it outright, then they have to be prepared to work hard themselves to fundraise the cost of their trip or their contribution to it.

While PNZ does what it can to raise funds through the sport and Trusts, the responsibility for finding the money must fall with the players. This financial commitment and responsibility is needed by 99% of representative sports players in NZ.
Teamwork.

The selectors will choose players that they know will work well together. There has to be some track record of success together. However teams must constantly strive to improve how they function together. Some of the most important qualities that contribute to excellent team work are:
- Shared goals and vision. Members of the team have to know where they are going and how they are going to get there.
- Open communication. The players, coach and manager have to be able to talk to each other very clearly and openly when things are going well and not so well. To help this you have to encourage short lines of communication, not lengthy unnecessary discussions.
- Experience. The more tough competitive experiences a team has had together, the better. This is where the team hardens and bonds together, and many of the other qualities in this section are developed.
- Challenge. The players should constantly aim to improve themselves and challenge each other to raise the standards. Training must be a challenge and give the players plenty of chances to compete against each other.
- Support. The players must also know that whatever happens on the terrain they’ll get the full support of the others. All players have good times and bad times and one of the most damaging things for a team is when players don’t feel supported by others. The coach must encourage this supportive environment.
- The team must be close, but not a clique. It is important the players all understand each other’s personalities, that they respect each other and show that respect. Hopefully they enjoy each other’s company. However it is not acceptable to have a clique-y team that is not open to outsiders. Selectors have a negative opinion of players who in any way ask to be chosen with other players who may be part of their clique.
- Optimistic and positive team energy.

All the above points show on the terrain as a team that has an excellent flow or is `in the zone’.

In my time involved in Petanque in New Zealand the best example of complete teamwork that I have seen was that shown by the Gold Medal winning triples team at the Oceania tournament in Rotorua. Christian Fouquet, Niau Ruta and Georgio Vakauta displayed a very high level of all the qualities I described above. Their performances at Oceania were truly world class.

One of the great things to see in a team that is really working well together is that each individual plays above the level you normal expect of them. This was very obvious in the triples final where I saw three players (whom I knew were very good players having known them for a number of years) working so strongly together, that each of them individually reached a standard of play even higher than they normally play to.

Success at the Worlds

These eight qualities of a team will see NZ maximize its chance of success in the World Championships. And an important question that hasn’t been addressed yet is what is success at the Worlds? Is it winning it? Getting in the top 16?

Within a team, goals must be specific and measurable, and as coach I use objective criteria, not subjective ones. Unfortunately we can’t control how well the opposition team plays. What is expected from players is constant improvement and personal best performances.

Hopefully in 2005 the NZ team plays to the highest standard that any NZ side at the Worlds has. In the coached environment we are learning more objectively the standards of play achieved, not just focussing on finishing positions.

Last year`game assessments’ were recorded from each game we played. These can be viewed on the PNZ website. An important goal as a coach is to build this team so we play at a higher standard on this assessment than we did last year. This will show whether our actual quality of play has improved.

The biggest target for a NZ team will be getting in the top 16 of the Worlds. This will be the defining moment when we can say we’re really competing at the top level. But this would be a very high achievement and at this stage is possible but could never be expected. Last year we were 33^rd and were 2 points away from being 25th. But some of the teams also ranked 33rd – say Canada, Great Britain and Cameroon are also very strong teams. The draw has a lot to do with finishing positions.

Currently 62 countries have entered for Brussels, so a top 16 position would be a great achievement. But there are other goals along the way. The most games we’ve ever won at the Worlds is four, we’ve never got into the top 8 of the Coup de Nations, and never got to the second round of the shooting competition.

A good measure of success at the World Championships could be:

Improved standard of play year on year
At least one new standard or target achieved

Benefits that flow through to more than just the team attending the tournament. It would be nice if many NZ Petanque players gain some enjoyment from, benefit from, or learn from the World Championships team and their performances.

Avoidance of setting a goal of where we’ll come in the tournament is not woolly thinking, avoidance, or setting up for failure. It’s realistic. As already explained, our team can’t control the quality of play from our opponents.

So we focus as a team on what they can control – to point well, shoot well, make good decisions, support each other – and trust the results will come. And we set no limits on what might be possible to achieve.

Hopefully Part 1 has helped you understand the special needs of a team competing for NZ at the World Championships. Having a coach go to the Worlds has helped Petanque NZ know better what needs to be done to succeed at the international game. Future teams and coaches will be able to build on and learn from the experiences gained, rather than the knowledge being lost with each change in team.

In Part 2, we’ll look at how the team prepares, what commitment in time they make and explain basic training principles. We’ll give some sample training sessions, and explain our final build up plans.

Part (2): Training and Preparation for the World Championships

In Part 1 it was explained that the World Championships success comes to the most skilful and best prepared teams. Both parts of this are essential to perform well. Selecting a team to represent NZ that was the most skilful and had the ability to be the best prepared was the important first job.

Team Selections

In 2004 the selectors held 2 training camps involving more than 30 of our best players. Through the year the selectors had gathered a lot of information on these players. We had information from the Worlds and Trans Tasman 2004. Then the Oceania 2005 and Trans Tasman 2005 gave us the chance to learn more about the top tier players.

As well as these international tournaments, NZ tournaments were considered. Probably the most influential are the national doubles and national triples results and performances. Next influential are the regional championships (such as Auckland Triples and Wellington Triples), and then the strong regional Open tournaments.

Considering the players available for selection, the selectors soon realised that the 6 players in the final of the national triples were the best-performed players. These 6 had clearly performed the best over the tournaments viewed, both as individuals and as teams. Probably 3 or 4 other players were also seriously considered who had performed well through the selection period.

Using the qualities and skills (highlighted in Part 1) we knew a team at the Worlds needed, final selections were made.

Team Preparation

Once the team was selected it then became my job as coach to help prepare the team to perform at their best. To achieve this as coach, a number of roles are played. These roles include:

Set Goals for the team.

One of the first things I did with the team was to discuss what role each of them would play, and to emphasise we are a role-playing team.

Christian Fouquet is our specialist pointer; it is likely to be the only position he will play. Christian was selected because in this role he was part of Auckland, New Zealand and Oceania championships winning teams. He is very experienced and has a very good knowledge of the game. This is why he is our team Captain.

Richard Swaney is our pointing-millieur, as he also is a strong pointer on technical terrains, and can play the same pointing role as Christian. He also is a good millieur – he shoots well under pressure, is an excellent defensive pointer, and a very good contributor all around to the teams he’s in.

David Lippard is our shooting-millieur, and will cover both of these roles. He is quite capable as a first choice shooter, as he showed in Trans Tasman 2005. He’s an all round player, so able to play the millieur position. He is also a strong strategist and is our Vice-Captain.

Chris Priestley is our specialist shooter, and it is likely to be the only position he plays. Through the season Chris’s shooting had continued to improve and he had a very good TransTasman tournament. He has always been a good, pressure shooter who has often played his best in the big games.

So each player had their roles identified, and I wanted them to take pride and ownership in playing these roles.

At training fairly early on I tried to set the standard of `how we play the game’. We had a well-balanced team and needed to play a balanced game. Aggressive when it was needed, Defended well when needed. I wanted a flexible team that focussed on doing well and quickly whatever needed to be done. As training has progressed I have tried to continue to refine this knowledge of how we do things as a team, so the players now know the vision of how we’ll play the game.

With the role playing team I’ve made it clear that there are 3 or 4 different combinations out of the 4 players that will be used in Brussels. So we don’t just have a Team a, but an A, B, C and D team combination that are each confident and capable.
Establish Personal Training.

The players are expected to do 3 personal training sessions a week. These should be between 45 and 60 minutes long. Each week I give them a training sheet for the week. There is usually a theme to the weeks training. Last week I’d identified that we were playing better at shorter distances than longer, so I had them do most of their exercises at 8 metres or longer. They do some of these sessions on their own, and sometimes together. It’s left to the players when and where they do them.

Personal training sessions are where the players build a solid base of skills. They’re all expected to train at pointing and shooting. They all do more shooting than pointing, because it requires more time to get right. Personal training sessions have the following components:
- Technique – exercises to improve and expand throwing techniques. An example is pointing to a small landing spot, changing the landing spot each ball. This makes the players improve their throw on technical terrains and expands the range of pointing shots they play.
- Repetition – repetitive exercises making good technique a habit. An example is shooting 50 balls at 8 metres. Players make sure they concentrate with good technique for 50 shots, and record results.
- Challenge – difficult exercises that challenge the limits of the players’ skills. Shooting a cochonnet is a challenging exercise. So is playing very long (over 10 metres) either pointing or shooting. These exercises are done slowly (at game pace) with few repetitions – usually about 10.
- Competitive skills - these are exercises that as close as possible imitate the competition environment. This is the `re-assembly’ of the parts that have been trained. Every facet of a tournament should be considered and prepared for.
Each week or session they will do a mixture of all four types of training. As the tournament gets closer the players do more work of the challenge and competitive skills type. Earlier in our training we did more technique and repetition. This is the periodization cycle of training common to all sports.
Run Team Trainings.

The team gets together once or twice a week. At first it was once a week, but the last 8 weeks will be twice a week. On Saturdays we play competition games, trying to play in all ways like we intend to in Brussels. The games are assessed and the team discusses the games. We put a lot of emphasis on how we function as a team, decision-making and tactics. It’s as important how we play as the quality of performance, but we always aim for both.

On Monday evenings we train together but we don’t play games, we do a modified type of personal training session. It is also where I put into place the philosophy of Plan, Train, Test, then Plan again, that I discussed before. So there will usually be a test exercise where the players can measure against previous performances. We need to know we are training the right way, that adaptation and improvements are happening. After this we will re-plan based on these results. All new plans and training sessions are discussed with the players. As the players become more experienced I leave more of the decisions about their individual training to them.

On Mondays we also do a range of `Games for Learning’. These are modified versions of Petanque games that help the players learn more about the game and improving performances, rather than static exercises. When well designed, Games for Learning can have a significant positive effect on team performances.

A challenge I had was designing suitable learning games for Petanque. I now have a `Team Training Exercise’ that is too complex to expand on, but is proving very effective. But a simple Game for Learning is playing a normal game but with a line 30cm behind the cochonnet as a pointing `dead-ball’ line. This encourages players to keep their balls in front of the cochonnet, which is tactically important in many games. I may also give the team a series of say 5 or 6 game situations laid out on terrains, which they have to move through successfully in the least number of balls.
Manage Competition Preparation.

If there were one thing I could have changed from last year’s preparation, it would be to ensure we had some competitions before the Worlds in Europe. Last year we missed a few opportunities. I believe even one warm up tournament would have made a significant difference to our performances.

So this year we have two warm up tournaments, and a visit to a French Petanque school. On 10th & 11th September we go to Chalon-sur-Saone for an International Triples tournament, and on 17th & 18th September a similar tournament in Toulouse. Between these we spend 2 days at a Petanque school 100km out of Paris.

The aim of these warm up tournaments is to get the tough competition vital to any team’s success. We need to win and lose hard games, build our resilience and team character. Giving the players a chance to expel any nervousness, and technically prepare on more difficult terrains than we have in NZ.
Liase with the Manager.

Another role I have is to liase between the players and Graeme Morris the team manager. This includes all practical matters such as travel arrangements, uniforms and fundraising.

Summary

You can see the team is following a carefully planned and complete preparation for the Worlds. The sole aim of this is to maximise the performance of the NZ team at the competition, and I am motivated to know improved performances makes the effort worthwhile for the players.

The time commitment from the 6 people involved – 4 players, coach and manager is massive considering we are all working full time. We are all lucky in that we get the chance to compete at the highest level at something we love. However at the same time the personal costs are significant – not just financial.

I hope you also now understand (if you were in any doubt), that lessons learnt in coaching and training for the Worlds can have benefit to any players serious in wanting to improve their game, and preparing for local competitions.

One of the questions I’ve often been asked is whether the selectors will ever choose a team for the Worlds that don’t live in the same region. I can only answer for myself, and the answer is yes, and it was considered this year. It does present some logistical problems, but it could work. However selectors need to be sure that players can perform well together, not just hope so. A team with players from different regions would need to have proved their teamwork already through either local or other international competition. The annual Trans Tasman competition will make the opportunity for a mixed regional national team more possible.

For those players who want to train and prepare for any significant tournament at any level, remember the formula we are using for the World Championships:

Know what’s needed for success. How good are the opposition? What standard of play is needed? What particular skills do you need?
Know where you’re at. Realistically how far away are you from success? Do you have all the skills? Strong in some, lacking others? Get a coach or mentor to help you if you’re not sure.
Plan. How will you improve? How will you learn the skills and use them consistently? How much training are you prepared to do? Who are you teaming with? The clearer the plan the better.
Train. No use in just making a nice plan. It must be followed through.
Test. This relates to `Know where you’re at’. Use warm up tournaments or test exercises to measure your progress.
From the test results, re-evaluate and Plan again.

For those players who do want to improve their game, and are willing to commit some time and effort, the training principles outlined will bring them more satisfaction from the game as their play improves.

This article will be just the beginning of more information becoming available to players and clubs on coaching and training, based on lessons learnt from international competitions. I have committed to provide more articles in future that will be less wide ranging than this overview, and will have more specific training and coaching advice. Also through PNZ, training programs should be available shortly for clubs and regional associations.

Lastly, I hope you all get behind and support our players going to Brussels this year. They’re a great team of players, all very dedicated to the sport and we are well represented by them. The competition runs from the 22nd to 25th September and the team leave NZ on 6th September.

Michael Emerson

Do we really need Arbitres

Let's start with a few simple questions.

Petanque is a friendly sport…...Right?
We don’t need to play to the rules if both sides agree......Right?
It doesn’t matter if a player has his foot over the circle......Right?

The answer to each question is yes and no so congratulations, you got all three questions correct. Well done.

Can we now put the same questions in the context of different sports? Let's use Rugby and Netball as the examples.

Start with Question A: All sports are friendly sports up to a certain point. Beyond that point the competitors have to be reminded that it is only a game.

Question B: Again, once we get past that uncertain point of play, both sides are expected to play to the rules of play set down by the sports governing body.

Question C: In a rugby context would it matter if one side played to the rules and the other side was allowed to ignore the offside rule? How about in netball if the GD on one side went to the opposing circle and put a ball through the hoop? Would it count? So what is the difference between these sports and petanque? We have rules, why shouldn't we play to them?

Petanque is no longer a growing sport and can now be deemed a maturing sport. After ten years of being on the scene, petanque has passed its boom stage and will grow a small percentage each year providing the governing body sets out some cohesive marketing strategies and makes the game attractive to new players.

The one area of growth that petanque still enjoys is a gratifying increase in skill levels at the higher levels of play. Congrats must go to PNZ and Michael Emerson for setting in place the regime of coaching that is seeing good results among the higher echelons.

What is this article about? Oh yes, do we need arbitres? Yes, petanque is a friendly sport up to a certain point. Beyond that point, often friendship goes out the window and tactics come into play. Often these tactics stretch the bounds of gamesmanship and are bordering on being outside the rules of the game.

All players should be aware there are virtually two types of Petanque you can play.

Type 1: is the social game or club play. Many club days are relaxed, wine on the terrain type days. We are definitely here for a social time, the rules are not adhered to strictly and the players go home at the end of the day happy.

Type 2 is the competition play. With the increase in skill levels of many top players, they are there to win the tournament. It’s not so much a social event for those players. Many top players commit to numerous hours of practice to reach a playing standard that is competitive at the higher level and possibly play at an International level. If I was that top player and my opponent was gaining an advantage by breaking the rules, I would be turning round and looking for an arbitre.

As an arbitre, I find that an individual player's grasp of the rules is generally quite poor. Granted, the rules are often open to misinterpretation with their loose wording. So who gives the definitive interpretation of the rules? The arbitres do. A qualified arbitre has studied the rules and received guidance from internationally recognized arbitres who advise the standard view of the rules as authorised by the FIPJP

So when a Kiwi arbitre states that dampened rags are not allowed during a game (on a dry day), that rule is being enforced with the authority that goes right back to the FIPJP who demand that players do not use wet rags as it may give that player a distinct and unfair advantage. Always remember that the arbitre is neutral and does not care which team wins. The arbitre is there to ensure that the rules are adhered to so that there is a level playing field for both teams.

The Rules dictate that certain penalties may be imposed, from forfeiting a boule during an end up to the team being disqualified. I had the good fortune to discuss the application of rules with the British umpire, Mike Pegg. Mike is one of the world's leading arbitres of our game and is often consulted on tricky rule interpretations by arbitres throughout the Petanque world. My question to Mike was "can a player impose a penalty on another player".

His reply was to the point saying that a player can only ask an opponent to adhere to the rules. If the player declines, the only course of action is to refer to an arbitre. Only the arbitre can force a player to play by the rules and impose penalties for repeated offences. Mike went on to use the illustration of the backyard game of soccer or rugby where one team claims the opponents are offside. Usually an argument ensues which only ends when whoever owns the ball say he is taking it home if everyone doesn't agree to see it his way.

Without a qualified arbitre overseeing the rules of the play, no competition can be deemed valid or ranking. In effect, a tournament without an arbitre in attendance is little better than a club day with a sometimes higher level of organisation and better prizes.

Petanque is a maturing sport, Along with that maturity a comes responsibility, a responsibility to provide a better structured organisational hierarchy which includes tournament and refereeing standards. On a personal note, if I was to put in all the hours of practise that our top players are committing too, I'd be disappointed to say the least, if I turned up to a tournament and I was playing to a high level and my opponent was continually breaking the game rules to their advantage with impunity because there was no arbitre in attendance.

As an arbitre can I make the following suggestions:

Players and Coaches: Learn the rules. If you are unsure of an interpretation, ask an arbitre, preferably away from the terrain so the arbitre can give a considered and rounded opinion. Accept the arbitres decision with good grace. As an arbitre it is hard to remain neutral when a player is screaming in your face because they do not know the rules but disagree with your interpretation.

Tournament Organisers: Try to get an arbitre to stand at your tournament as it gives the tournament more validity and takes the players away from the hard working organising committee.

Everybody: Remember the arbitre has given up the right to play in the tournament so he/she can help to make everyone else's tournament a better event. Show them some respect. They have studied hard to be an arbitre and yes, they probably do know the rules a damn sight better than you do!

PNZ: Make a stand and protect and support the arbitres. In any other sport, match officials get better protection and support than the 'committee'. Why should petanque be different?

And now I have a request. All players could consider becoming an arbitre. Currently there are only four qualified arbitres, at a national level, in New Zealand. An arbitres association is currently being formed with the goal of acquiring more arbitres. The ideal situation would be to have a club grade qualified arbitre in every club who could assist arbitres at higher level tournaments. Please think about putting your name forward to Trevor Neilson to become a club grade arbitre. Your club and your sport need you in order for petanque to continue to mature.

And that's it from me. As always I do not back away from the meat of the matter. Any feedback to the editor would be appreciated.

Andy Gilbert

2005 Trans Tasman Challenge, Sydney, Australia

New Zealand Team
- Open: Christian Fouquet, Chris Priestley, Ian Baker, David Lippard, Michael Rocks, Tony Chin, Dirk Winnie, Steve Thwaites, Anita Fletcher, Claire Matthews, Sharon Cannon, Bethne Rouse
  
  Coach: Michael Emerson
- Seniors: Ivan Hansen, Bill Peachey, Terry Lambert, Alain Coulomb, Jim Shields, Louis Mesnage, Jean Parley, Margaret Maher, Lynn Mason, Ann Shields, Bernadette Lawton, Claire Bradburn, Diane Findlay, Pat Jamieson and Anne Sinclair
Results

Trevor's Report

We arrived at the Auckland Airport at 6.30am to check in as a group booking. Louis also came early hoping to be able to get on our flight rather than his flight booked for later in the day. Some extra dollars were paid over the counter and Louis climbed on board.

The Wellington contingent had arrived at the Wellington Airport for booking in at 4.40am.This included Bethne and Sharon with next to no sleep, after their car had broken down at Levin on their way from Napier. A mayday call was put out and the ever faithful Roy Zeier went to their assistance and got them to the airport in time.

We had an appropriate and inspiring movie to watch on the way over, ‘Coach Carter’, about a basketball team from the ghetto. Expecting all the usual American bullshit the school team actually lost the final game which is hard to take when in every other American movie you have watched they always won……remember Mighty Ducks .But there was still a moral to the story so if you see any petanque players doing a hundred push ups on the side of the piste, you will know where that came from.

On finding the bus stop at Sydney Airport we waited for Robert, the president of the France Club, who in case you did not know was the amazing Aussie who organised the Oceania Tournament many years ago, which also included running it, cooking the meals and even driving the bus, much to the amazement of the New Zealand team, and it only cost about $8000.

Robert informed us that the Wellington contingent had arrived and so with out much ado we were transported in two groups, one to the motel and the other to the venue. The venue was at the Jets Sports Club, on the edge of the Cooke River along the backside of the airport where we had to contend with the noise and the smell of fumes... but we got used to it.

After a team talk all the players got on with some practise. The terrain was split into two lots of eight pistes with a couple of spares for club players over the weekend. On one lot the ground was bare with patches of small chips while the other side had a much heavier covering of small chips.

The New Zealand team were presented with their shirts and asked to be ready for a photo shoot at 1pm by the local press. A meeting of managers, coaches, umpires and helpers was held to discuss the events over the two days with the only real discussion point was to decide what would happen if a tie eventuates.

After much tooing and froing it was decided that triples wins would be the tie breaker and if still equal, a five player, including one woman, shootout along the lines of the World Soccer Cup would take place. I must also mention that the Australian coach did apologise for the lack of a mayoral reception and cultural performance which they had been honoured with at the Trans Tasman tournament in Masterton last year.

The motel was a three and a half star as agreed by the two petanque associations but unfortunately an Australian and a New Zealand star are not quite the same. The room had no kitchen, drink making facilities or phone. These were available by feeding coins into the slots in the foyer. The next door neighbours were a 24 hour McDonalds on one side and a KFC on the other. I must say that not one person complained about the rooms and at $59 for two people per room, you get what you pay for.

The tournament got underway at 8.30am with the teams standing for the National Anthems and there was an exchange of gifts and a round of photos. On completing the photo session we found that Chris was missing.. . someone said that he was in the toilet having a nervous one, so on his return away we went again with another photo session.

The first round of play was very intense for both New Zealand teams. In the second round the Seniors dropped all but one game and that unfortunately made it difficult for them to catch up over the rest of the weekend. After the first days play the open team were 14 points behind Aussie with plenty of work to be done.

Saturday night arrived and it was decided to go to the nice flash hotel ‘Southern Cross’ down the road from the motel. After an excellent meal the partying began. Remember, what happens on the road stays on the road but I will let you into a little ‘Kitty Litter’ secret, the last ones home at 12.30am had lots of fun trying to keep each other quiet but one couldn’t help herself and let everyone know that they were the last ones by yelling the fact down the motel passage way. They were five of the seniors who needed to have a good night.

On the Sunday it was agreed that only four games would be played, instead of five, if the fourth game had not finished by 3.00pm. This was due to flight travel plans of some of the Australians, especially the two young West Australians. The last two games also had to be played under lights which was not very satisfactory.

Unfortunately playing one less game was to the demise of the end result for the New Zealand team as they picked up their game and moved into a winning position needing now to win the last four games of which three were achieved. I felt that the Australians knew they were lucky to win and another round would most probably have changed the outcome.

The presentation was carried out in the Club with Robert the France Club President presenting medals to all participants. One trophy was awarded to New Zealand, this going to Sharon Cannon for the most valuable female player.

The meal at the club was great value and the beverages kept flowing resulting in Louis holding down on a table a French Australian while he sung the French national anthem followed by a happy Sharon doing a belly dance.

Photographs: Trevor Neilson

Back to the motel and groups split up to celebrate and commiserate the weekend’s events in their rooms. We won’t ask Terry what happened when he fell out of the window and Ian spilling his drink all over Michael’s bed.

The next morning it was like Farmer Brown’s cows, trying to get everybody in the four taxis to the airport as some room numbers were not known and we couldn’t find Michael. He eventually walked around the corner and delightfully informed us that he hadn’t been in his room but had been to McDonalds for a coffee! The goodbyes were said as some of the players were staying in Australia to continue on with their own holiday plans.

Breakfast was at a very efficient coffee bar at the airport and then shopping was the order of the day.

The trip home was pretty uneventful, there were plenty of seats and most stretched out and tried to sleep while some were entertained by the movie ‘Racing Stripes’.

No drama, no arrests………..Welcome home

Trevor Neilson

2005 Oceania Championships, Rotorua

New Zealand Team
- Men: Tony Chin, Allan Fletcher, Christian Fouquet, Andrew Joe, David Lippard, Andre Noel, Charles Peni, Chris Priestley, Niau Ruta, Georgio Vakauta, Dirk Winnie
- Women: Fiona Brown, Sharon Cannon, Margret Fleck, Anita Fletcher, Jane Gilbert, Barbara Johnston, Laurel Priestley, Bethne Rouse, Aussie Samuel

Vakauta takes petanque silver medal

Georgio Vakauta couldn't get the smile off his face last night. The Aucklander and owner of nine New Zealand titles had just secured the country's first men's Oceania Petanque Tournament medal when he lost out to new singles champion Henry Maere of Tahiti.

"This is the best feeling, representing your country and with silver on your chest," Vakauta told the Daily Post through his beaming smile after an enthralling final on the Government Gardens terrain. Maere won the encounter 15-7, pulling away over the final stages with precision throwing which the Kiwi valiantly tried to match. "I'm over the moon. I'm a little disappointed it couldn't be gold but I'm happy with silver. I gave it my best shot," Vakauta said.

His silver gave the New Zealand association a full house of Oceania medals, a task which has taken almost eight years. Denise Bavidge secured the first, a women's singles bronze, in 2000 while Barabara Johnston won that title in 2002. Johnston didn't fare so well yesterday, knocked out early on with Auckland's Anita Fletcher going the furthest among the Kiwi women. The Herne Bay representative got through to the quarter-finals before being bundled out by Caroline Turi of New Caledonia.

Vakauta carried the hopes of gold for the Kiwis but despite giving his all, he lost to Tahiti's top men's player, Henry Maere 15-7. In keeping with the friendly spirit of the competition the two players embraced when the final point was scored. Maere then let out a hearty scream, raising both fists in triumph before being swarmed by his proud teammates.

Minutes later the scene was repeated as Antionette Te Taira triumphed over her countrywoman Celestine Tapeta 15-10 to take the women's final. The Tahatians have dominated the biennial Oceania event, winning two of the three previous tournaments to date and their association president Raymond Teremate was warmed by the opening day's results.

"This is a very encouraging result but most important, competitions are still coming and we want to win the overall title ... To win the overall we need some more wins like that," he said through an interpreter. This event is Tahiti's last before they join the world championships for the first time and Teremate said they were determined to take some winning form into that venture. "To win here will show they will be going to the world championships not just to take part."

Australia picked up two medals with Pierre Bommarito and Danielle Grancourt winning the play-offs for bronze over Daniel Tcheou and Caroline Turi respectively. New Caledonia and the Wallis and Futuna Islands did not get on the podium yesterday.

Play is scheduled to continue today with the Pointing and Shooting competitions and the first round of doubles before Saturday's finals. The triples will be contested on Sunday.

Craig Tiriana, Rotorua Daily Post, 4.2.05

Cannon fires on time in shootout

Everyone and everything is still as gentle music drifts across the terrain while a sole competitor, boule in hand, eyes a distant target.

With a flip of the hand and a underarm toss the boule is sent on its way, the collision with another between six and seven metres away breaks the noise and the crowd come back to life with high fives and cheers galore.

This is petanque's version of a shootout, possibly even one-day cricket, where the best players in Oceania were testing their shooting and pointing skills against one and other in Rotorua's Government Garden Terrain yesterday.

When Napier's Sharon Cannon lobbed her second of three boules during the women's final yesterday she came up with the pressure shot, dislodging a boule hidden behind another in a target circle seven metres away to score two points and take New Zealand's second gold medal at this level.

Fellow Kiwi Bethne Rouse completed the good effort by the host women, picking up the bronze while Anna Metaua of New Caledonia gained silver.

The host's second day effort was rewarded with a rousing haka from their teammates following the playing of the national anthem as the two Kiwis stood draped in their medals on the victory dais.

The men's shooting title went to New Caledonia's 16-year-old Mike Deplanque with Wallis and Futuna Islander Vitolio Tauvale picking up second before he and his teammates left for Auckland to catch a plane home via Vanuatu today. Robert Tumg of Tahiti finished third before play was abandoned with the pointing halfway through due to heavy rain.

Play is scheduled to continue today with pointing and the doubles competition while the triples titles and overall winners will be decided on Sunday.

Craig Tiriana, Rotorua Daily Post, 5.2.05

Kiwis topple Oceania petanque superpowers

Petanque New Zealand enjoyed their greatest moment in their 11-year existence when they won the Oceania Tournament for the first time last night in Rotorua. In a stellar weekend of quality international play by the hosts on the Rotorua Petanque Club's Government Gardens terrain, the Kiwis - ranked third coming into the fourth biennial event - upset the traditional strongholds of Tahiti and New Caledonia in securing five gold medals and the overall title. Previous to the 2005 competition New Zealand had only won one gold medal at this level and the latest results had chief executive Graeme Morris excited for the fledgling sport's future.

"We've always been trailing New Caledonia and Tahiti but we've knocked the other two countries off the perch ... We'll be put on the map as a sport perhaps," he told The Daily Post after the Kiwi men secured the triples title last night. The triple of Georgio Vakauta, Niau Ruta and Christian Fouquet were on song in beating the New Caledonians 15-7 in a high class display.

"Last time [2002] we won our first gold now we've leapt ahead - there's a lot of petanque history amongst those countries," Morris said.

On Saturday, the hosts had set up the overall result taking gold in the men's doubles courtesy of Vakauta and Ruta 13-12 win over New Caledonia while Fouquet and Anita Fletcher headed the pointing disciplines to add to Sharron Cannon's shooting gold from Friday. In total New Zealand won nine medals - five gold, two silver and two bronze - a huge improvement on their one gold and one bronze in the past.

Morris said the performances of the host squad also vindicated their new selection policy - now controlled by a selection panel - and the appointment of Michael Emerson to the role of national coach last year. The Kiwis also showed a liking for the picturesque Rotorua venue where they had intimate knowledge of the pumice surface after holding their selection and training camps there.

The next international assignment for the New Zealanders is March's Pan Pacific Games in Vietnam. Following that event comes a Trans Tasman showdown in May followed by September's World Championships in Brussels.

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