La Casquette
The media pointing to the best of pétanque!
Read the interview with David
in the “Profile Me” section
of the November/December edition
of Terhoma Magazine.
David, what does pétanque mean to you, and how long have you been playing?
I have been playing pétanque since I was 35. I go to the boules court primarily to clear my mind and have a good time with nice people. Even though I sometimes take part in competitions, playing pétanque for fun remains my primary motivation. Being on the boules court means sharing enjoyment, chatting, laughing, and playing without any pressure.
How long have you been president of the association? What were your motivations and goals? What are you most proud of today?
I have been president of the association since 2021. When I accepted this position, I had nothing planned because I simply hadn't applied for it. It was our members who voted me in. I accepted with pleasure and pride, while remaining humble. Now, I am happy to see that our team is working well and in good spirits. Every year, the association welcomes new members. There is also a great spirit of camaraderie at the Bernard Chambas space, which is something I value greatly.
If I have to be proud of anything, I am proud of two achievements:
At my request, the town hall of Magny-les-Hameaux agreed to pay tribute to Michelle's husband and name our playground after him.
I am also proud to have received, on February 8, 2024, on behalf of all the members of the Friends of Petanque and in the presence of Bernard Houillon (Mayor of Magny-les-Hameaux), from Anne Bergantz, Member of Parliament for the 2nd constituency of Yvelines, the National Assembly medal for my work in promoting sport and enabling children and adults to fully enjoy sporting activities adapted to their disabilities.
Can you tell us about all the responsibilities you have as president and what they mean in terms of your daily schedule, energy, and resources? Do you have a team around you? If so, how is this team structured?
From representing the association before institutions to managing the association, including, for example, repairing and maintaining the grounds and welcoming visitors, my duties are quite varied and take up an average of three hours a day. Of course, it's not always so straightforward. Organizing a competition, preparing for it, and ensuring it runs smoothly requires more time. Fortunately for me, Michelle, the Vice President, the board members, and many members are always there to lend a hand whenever the situation calls for it.
Do you have any clear wishes or goals for the club for the end of this year and for 2026? Can you tell us a little bit about them?
Yes! I would love to see the club reach the milestone of 100 registered members. The court is public, and we have many players who are not paying members. More registered members means more resources.
I would also really like to organize another disabled sports event and make it a big celebration and a success. To do this, we need volunteers to accompany each participant and be able to welcome as many people as possible. This event is planned for spring 2026, but we need to start mobilizing now.
For many observers, pétanque is a leisure activity for retirees. What message would you give to those who claim this? What words would you use to attract different age groups to pétanque who could join the ranks of pétanque enthusiasts? What values would you highlight? Finally, at what age can a child stop playing with plastic balls and start playing with older children?
Of course, many retirees participate. However, more and more young people are joining, as are women. While our oldest member is 82 and our second oldest is 74, we also have Clara, our youngest member at 12, and Thomas, 22, to name just a few. At the associations forum in September, five women joined our ranks. As for giving up plastic balls, I would say 12 years old. I think that at that age you can start throwing steel balls without getting too tired.
I think that what everyone will find when they set foot on a boules court is a place without social class, racism, or sexism, where age doesn't matter. Here, that's a certainty. Anyone can play with friends or family at the Bernard Chambas court, and every day we roll the balls for all the new games. Making the balls means placing each player's balls in a circle and throwing them towards a jack to form, by chance and depending on the number of participants, the doubles or triples that will compete against each other. This is an opportunity for everyone to get to know the players involved in a game and come out of anonymity. Very quickly, everyone knows everyone else and a genuine camaraderie develops. I love it!
If I had to find the words, I would say:
Come on!
Come and take your mind off things, think about something else.
You're never too old to have fun and make new friends.
Every year, the club organizes a trip to the International Petanque Festival in Santa Susanna, Spain. Why go so far to play? What happens there? How many of you are going this year and what are your motivations?
I go there regularly with some of my friends who play pétanque, first of all because it's a great event, well organized and a very enjoyable time. It's also an opportunity to get together in the evening and enjoy a great atmosphere. Each edition has its own adventure, its own anecdotes, but also its joys, victories, and defeats.
This year, in the 2025 edition, our women's team, made up of Chloé, Françoise, and Valérie,
ranked 5th out of 126. It's a great result and a joy that the club members share with them.
Françoise, Valérie, Chloée
What do you say to a world champion in pétanque when you meet them? What is your general view of competition?
What I say is simple!
You make us dream, keep it up!
As for my view of competition, it is one of admiration. A great player inspires dreams in younger players through their achievements. This fuels passion and gives rise to future champions, which is fantastic!
