While pétanque can be a fiercely competitive sport for many enthusiasts, it is a leisure activity and simple game for hundreds of thousands of occasional or regular players who find that a boules court is, above all, a place where having fun is the only thing that matters. In an increasingly violent and individualistic society, a boules court can therefore be a haven of peace, a friendly space where everyone can chat and play with everyone else, without getting worked up and with mutual respect.

 

I have certainly forgotten the age at which I played with plastic boules. However, I remember perfectly the first steel boules with which I pointed and threw for the first time. I was in sixth grade and the neighborhood boules club was located at the foot of the building. This rough and uneven vacant lot quickly became a gathering place for retirees, but also a place where younger people came to throw their first balls, watch the older players, and, for the more daring, try to copy and beat them. 

 

The weekends were ideal for competitions which, depending on the prizes to be won, attracted not only all the players from the neighborhood, but also those who came from all over the city and even further afield to roll and throw their boules in an attempt to win a place in the final and, who knows, the jackpot. 

 

 

 

Beyond the objectives of the games, human interactions developed that no other event could have facilitated. Entire families played, others got to know each other and chatted, not forgetting to glance irregularly at the games in progress and the performances, which were greeted with a few claps and the impromptu cacophony of “ha!” and “oh!” that accompanied them.

 

I also remember all those colorful, boastful characters who gave the whole thing a good-natured atmosphere and gave the younger ones the opportunity to record, divulge, and exaggerate each other's performances. This gave rise to a few little legends born of an extraordinary shot or point, which then became, through discussion, a simply incredible story. 

 

Today, I play with my twelve-year-old daughter and look forward to the joy, the laughter, in short, all the emotions that a game of pétanque can bring. On the court, together, we take time out to laugh, play, and have fun without worrying about the rest of the world and forgetting all the torments that our society creates.

 

Having balls on a pétanque court means holding them in your hands and, with each ball pointed or thrown, having an opportunity to share with your opponents some failed moves that will have no serious impact on anyone. Having balls on a pétanque court means giving yourself the opportunity to achieve small feats that will give everyone involved a chance to laugh, smile, greet, thank, applaud, or make a face, the sole purpose of which will be to share emotions in a friendly atmosphere.

 

All the pages on this site will be filled with this spirit of sharing and conviviality. Of course, we will give the competition the visibility it deserves because it inspires dreams for the youngest players and sets an example for all players.

 

But don't forget: a game of pétanque should remain a good time, just a good time for everyone, the great players and the more modest ones, adults and children alike.

 

Stéphane Theri