Hawke's Bay Petanque

The French game of Petanque flourishes in the Hawkes Bay region, perhaps because of the game's close association with wine, one of the main attractions and products of the Hawkes Bay, and, of course, the fact that the game originated in France, a major wine drinking country. Visitors to the region will find many pistes (playing areas) to test their skill.

The city of Napier supports three well organised clubs that engage in frequent interclub competition, whilst for the more casual exponent of the sport what could be more pleasant than a relaxed afternoon game of petanque on one of the many pistes at wineries in the area whilst sampling some of their fine product.

All clubs are affiliated to the National Association, Petanque New Zealand, which promotes and organises the sport on an Inter-regional basis and holds annual National competitions, several of which have been held in the Hawkes Bay.

The National Association also sends competitors to Australasian and world competitions annually.

On a smaller scale Petanque Hawkes Bay has been formed to coordinate all Petanque club activities in the Hawkes Bay.

On these pages we will provide as much information as possible on the game, how the game is organised in the region, and details of the clubs with contacts and playing times.

Petanque is an easy game to play and clubs in the region are always keen to introduce newcomers to the sport, whether they be interested in the social contacts and activities that the sport engenders, or the competitive side. It is your choice how serious you want to get, and the three organised clubs cater for all.

The Napier club operates from its pistes in Nelson Park, Jull Street, just off Kennedy Road very close to the city centre.

Since being formed in 1996 the club has grown to approximately 36 members, all keen and of various playing experience and abilities.

With its 24 pistes the club is able to hold quite large events, and throughout the year at least one open tournament is held with invitations to clubs from all over New Zealand. Hawkes Bay is a popular place to visit and the tournaments are invariably well attended by anyone wishing to play.

The pistes are of a good base, topped off with a mixture of coarse crushed lime, crushed shell, and a very light sprinkling of small stones just to add to the interest. They are very playable surfaces that will test players of all experience.

Playing times are Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday at 1pm. Anyone is made welcome to come and try the game, and the President, Marie Fenton, can be contacted on 06 835 3558 to obtain more details or arrange a game.

The Bay View Petanque Club operates from its terrain at the Bay View Bowling Club, just 5 km north of the Napier CBD.

The club was formed in 1997, and due to the efforts of the dedicated members now offers 26 pistes to play on, and has hosted several national competitions.

The benign climate of the Hawkes Bay and the superb facilities offered by the club make this a must for any visiting petanque enthusiast.

Contact Murray Porter on 06 836 7023 for more information. Generally the club meets at 1pm Sunday afternoon, and at 6pm Wednesday evenings during daylight Saving.

HISTORY

Hawkes’ Bay Lawn Tennis and Squash club was fundamentally a tennis and squash club but in early 1999 that changed when committee member, Kevin Rouse, hatched an idea to introduce a third sport. It was a timely idea as the committee were looking at a flagging membership list and ways of giving the club a ‘boost’. The idea of introducing the game of pétanque arose when existing club members gathered on Friday evenings after work to relax, have a drink and play pétanque on the sole terrain—laid down some years earlier by the club’s accountants—Gardiner, Knobloch.

So on 24th July 1999 a working bee laid down 5 new terrain and the 3rd H.B. pétanque club was born.

CLUB DAYS

With the attitude to relaxation at the end of a working week, the club day of Fridays from 6.00 p.m. proves popular for working people. Meals are available from the restaurant kitchen and a well appointed bar and lounge cater for the ‘imbibers’. A second club day of Saturday afternoons from 2.00 p.m. was decided on so that Lawn Tennis (as it is affectionately known) would not compete with the Sunday play times of the two other established clubs. This allows dual club members maximum choice of playing times. Visitors are very welcome to visit on club days for the small fee of a gold coin.

WHAT H.B.L.T. OFFERS

BUSINESS HOUSE

Throughout spring and summer business house, involving 10-12 teams of triples, is enjoyed on 3 consecutive Tuesday evenings from 6.00—8.30 pm approx. Every player receives a prize on the last evening of play so all in all, it is deemed good value at just $2 per person per evening.

These light hearted events are not designed to be taken seriously but are an opportunity to encourage non-pétanque players to experience the game in a supportive environment. In fact ‘heavy seriousness’ by existing members is frowned on. If you would like to be involved or need details of these fun evenings please contact the club manger, Bryan Thomason 8436573 or Kevin Rouse 8434273. Come along and witness the fun!

FUNDRAISING

Lawn Tennis offers fundraising trivial pursuit evenings free of charge to charity orgs., sports teams, clubs or schools. To date, Tamatea High, Colenso High, Life Education Trust (Westpac), Altrusa Club and others have all been supportive of this initiative and benefited from the funds raised. In turn, HBLT has had it’s bar facilities used and benefited from the sales. The lounge room caters for up to 15 or 16 teams of 6 people. Details of this service are available from club manger, Bryan Thomason 8436573 or host coordinator Bethne Rouse on 8434273.

Petanque Hawke's Bay

Petanque Hawkes Bay is an informal association of the affiliated Petanque clubs of Hawkes Bay set up to assure coordination between the clubs and their individual programs, to organise and promote interclub and inter-regional tournaments, and to promote the sport of Petanque in the area.

Its members consist of the Presidents of the clubs, and meets as and when the need is seen by any of the clubs.

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