What a great Transtasman from Jean Claude

From: Dufroux, Jean Claude [mailto:JCDufroux@powercor.com.au] 

Sent: Tuesday, 24 May 2011 11:00 a.m.

Subject: What a great Transtasman from Jean Claude

Dear All,

What a great Trans Tasman

New Zealand retained both the Open and Senior trophies at the weekend in Melbourne.

But: We had a lot of Fun and every game was a challenging battle against the best players from New Zealand.

From an Open player's perspective:

Remember that our journey started last year with a CLUB Challenge.

St Kilda (Under our team captain Eric) managed to build a team strong enough to win against the best teams in Victoria earning the right to play in the Interstate tournament.

In Sydney our St Kilda team won against the best players from other States earning the right to participate in the Trans Tasman challenge 2011. Yeap!!!

From our St Kilda team of 5 + 3 we had to move to 6 men + 6 women. Our friends from New South Wales Ariane, Murielle and Isabelle join the women squad and our good mate Jean Luc complemented the men's team. Warren Sowter was then appointed as our coach. Warren brought to us his motivational skill and support all along the 2 days tournament. Thank you Warren.

Without many (enough) occasion to practice as a team we as a "CLUB" came very close to be able to challenge a Nation.

I was very proud to be part of the team and I say well done and great team spirit to all my team mates. (I would like to hear more about our Senior team please give us your feedback)

The Transtasman being held in St Kilda put a bit of extra pressure on us as we had to organise the event.

Muriel from La Parisienne Pate with her team of enthusiastic brought the help we needed.

George from the Belgium Beer Cafe offered to provide catering and I think that every one was impressed with the standard of the food provided. (Note: the fees paid for catering went to The Belgium Beer Cafe)

Pierrette and Jacques spent the 2 days from 7am to late in the evening offering coffee, tea and cakes. (They also worked hard 3 days prior to the event to cook "thousands" of beautiful home made cakes.

We had volunteers in the kitchen preparing and serving the dinner. Thank you to Didier and Louise, Karim, and Alex.

La parisienne pâté provided all cheeses and the "Choux a la crème" birthday cake (Stephane)

Jean Francois provided the chocolat mouse from Cacao.

Thanks to our sponsors:

• Evian
• Peugeot
• French Fantasy
• The Belgium beer Cafe
• Cacao
• La Parisienne Pate

Big thank you to Port Philip city council and Serge Thomann providing his support and a very nice speech during the opening ceremony. Serge also managed to have a few newspaper to take pictures. Please watch " The Leader" in the next few days.

Petanque Australia was well represented with Jean Paul Boudan, Mico Charlot. Robert Boudan, Andre Deramont and the unforgettable president Sylvio Jolicoeur.

Jean Paul was the tournament director, well done JP.

Andre assisted by Lyndsay Kinghorn were umpiring during the 2 days. Thank you to both umpires.

The St Kilda sports club was working hard behind the scene.

Big thank you to Con and his team. Special thank you to Duncan and Bret being able to be ready very early on both day.

Congratulation to the New Zealand Open and Senior teams for winning the 2011 Transtasman Serie.

The Spirit and friendship during these 2 days was touching and moving and you have demonstrated great sportsmanship and fairness winning this event.

Thank you all for making the Transtasman 2011 a memorable event at St Kilda.

I love you all

Please forward to all enthusiastic pétanque players.

Please send me your best pictures at jcdufroux@hotmail.com

Jean Claude Dufroux

St Kilda Petanque Club President

0409 174 778