Petanque 1
Weekly, Tuesdays at 11am & 1pm Twickenham Embankment.
This group has 60 Players. Currently No Vacancies. Waiting List Only.
Group Leader: Caroline Cunliffe
If you wish to make contact please use the email connection on the right hand top corner of this webpage.
----- Basic tuition for the game of Petanque (French Boules) with friendly games organised. We are a large informal social group but many of us do regularly play at competition level. In retirement playing Petanque regularly is not only good exercise in the fresh air but the fun, laughter and joy it generates is a bonus and many of our group feel it has definitely enhanced their lives.
Petanque is the quintessentially French version of the game of boules. Metal balls are thrown close to a jack. Simple and easy for beginners but be warned, it can take a lifetime to perfect the deft art of the game.
Our History: I started the group in March 2013 but by June 2015, nine members from the Pétanque group took part in The Londonaise International Pétanque Festival held at Barnard Park in Islington, competing with teams from Gibraltar, Hungary, Belgium, Sweden and France. English teams from Kent, Chilterns and the London Region, including French-London teams also played, 64 teams in all, including 3 World Champion Pétanque players. We returned in 2016 when one of our triples won against a young Swedish team.
April 2016, twelve members from our group travelled to Malmesbury, Wiltshire for a few days to take part in inter-friendly competition games with U3A Malmesbury, Cirencester, Fairford and Highworth (Swindon). We have built a close association with U3A Malmesbury and visit annually. We were also invited to play at the Upper Thames Boules Club at Royal Wootton Basset.
June 2016 Sherston Boules (Wiltshire) 192 Players took part overall. The village is closed to traffic, covered with sand forming 32 pistes and games played throughout the day. We have continued to take part annually 2017, 2018 & 2019.
September 2016 twelve members from our group took part in the first ever U3A National Petanque Championship held on Hayling Island and distinguished themselves by taking the Gold Trophy as overall competition winners. 162 players took part. Other members of our group won the 'Leisure Boules' category also receiving an award. We have continued to take part in this event annually 2017, 2018, 2019. These occasions are always great fun and there are circa 175 players competing within 52 triple teams from 16 or so different regional U3A's. Competition is stiff but we are delighted with a little success once in a while.
May 2017 seven members were invited to La Turballe France for 7 days to take part in daily competitions including playing with the French club Esto-Petanque La Turballe. We have returned in 2018 & 2019. Players from various groups attend but Richmond players achieved best overall male player and two best joint overall female players. In 2019, Richmond again achieved best overall male player and best female player.
We also take part in the U3A Top Pig Competition originally held at Crondal but this year 2019 in Malmesbury. We are due to compete again 2020 in Bournemouth. We also take part annually in The London Cup held at Vauxhall.
October 2018 & 2019 we travelled to Bournemouth where we took part in competition with U3A Bournemouth and players from the Muscliff Club. We continue our links with the Oxshott Petanque fraternity and attend charity games and competitions annually.
From time to time we also arrange games with our pals at Hurst Park, East Molesey and the West London Bowls Club (Petanque)
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