The monthly Newsletter of Petanque Australia, the governing body for petanque in Australia. 

A sincere thank you to the nearly 200 contributors who completed the PA Strategy Survey and shared their thoughts on where our sport should head next. Your feedback will help shape the strategies and operational plans that bring a renewed Vision, Mission and Goals to life. We look forward to keeping our community informed as this important work progresses.

Thank you to all member clubs that have reaffiliated and paid Player Licence Fees for their members. It is encouraging to see overall numbers have increased in 2026, supported by a strong retention rate across the pétanque community.

Bastille Day was once again a highlight on the July calendar for clubs across the country. And for the second year, pétanque featured as a key attraction at the Bastille Day French Festival Melbourne 2026, where it was promoted as “one of the most authentically French experiences woven into the festival’s atmosphere”. The event also offered valuable insight into how festivals like this can help introduce more people to pétanque and grow the sport across Australia.Thank you to St Kilda Club for supporting this promotional event again

Want to see more on the Festival Petanque Fun? Go to this link  

The 2027 Trans-Tasman Challenge NZ venue and dates have been confirmed: Where - Stanley Bay Petanque Club, and when 1-2 May 2027. Images go to this link 

As part of our commitment to strengthening Australia’s performance on the international stage, we invite you to support our Team Australia players by making a tax-deductible donation at this Link

Stay warm; one month of winter to go. Stay connected and do keep enjoying your pétanque.

Regards,
Roger Maddern
President
Email: president@petanqueaustralia.org.au

This year marked twenty years since the unforgettable 2006 Women's World Championships in Grenoble, a trip I shared with three remarkable women: Arlette, Ariadne and Kate. 

That championship was a defining moment for all of us - not only because of the friendships it strengthened, but also because it was, at the time, the best performance ever achieved by an Australian women's team at the World Championships. We still remember the heartbreak of missing the top 16 by the narrowest margin in a tight match against Tunisia, a result that stung then but has since become part of the shared story that binds us.

Two decades later, the Australian National Championships in Adelaide offered the perfect setting to honour that milestone. I had the privilege of playing alongside Arlette, a gesture that felt both symbolic and deeply personal. It was a way to commemorate our shared history, but also to celebrate a friendship that has shaped my life in profound ways. When Remi, Mathieu, and I first arrived in Australia 23 years ago, Arlette was the one who took us under her wing. Her warmth, generosity, and steady presence helped us find our footing in a new country.

What made this anniversary even more special was that Kate and Ariadne (my bestie) were also in attendance. We even captured the moment with a photo together, a small but meaningful reminder of the threads of friendship that continue to weave through our lives.

Anniversaries like this remind me that sport is never just about competition. It's about the people who stand beside you - in Grenoble, in Adelaide, and across the decades in between.

Isa

(Article taken from Capital Petanque Club’s newsletter)

Kerrie Maddern has been appointed to the position of Victoria's State Coaching Manager.

Kerrie brings a substantial depth of Pétanque experience to the role, complemented by an extensive background in high‑level coaching and team administration within Australian softball. She has articulated clear and purposeful aims for the development of coaching and player improvement across the state, with a particular focus on supporting and advancing opportunities for women. We look forward to working with her to strengthen coaching capability and elevate playing standards throughout Victoria. Kerrie assumes the role from Shirley Marshall.

A full list of State Coach Managers can be found on the website.

A note from one our fastest-growing regional clubs

Saturday, May 2nd was our first appearance as a hosting club for a PA tournament. Many had dabbled their toe in the waters of Inter Club tournaments, either with the Golden Boule Competition or the Intra Club Competition we ran in 2025, but this was our first time hosting a full tournament, and it was a tremendous success for the club. 

Teams from 14 different clubs in Victoria travelled to Bendigo, and luckily the weather gods were kind and our little club site looked fabulous with our new flags and signs. The club members did a wonderful job as they had prepared the pistes at a working bee; they arrived bright and early to set up our gazebos, seating pistes and of course, all the yummy refreshments. 

The running of a tournament is such a big task, and thanks go from our committee to all our members as their support made it all possible. We also need to thank our Tournament draw organiser and recorder, Peter Wells, and to the umpires who came and kept an eye on how all the games were played and also sorted out any tricky decisions 

Wendy Ryan (From Bendigo Club’s Newsletter). Follow the Club here.

The PA Newsletter is sent to all PA-licensed players. If you have friends or colleagues who are interested in petanque, they can also get the Newsletter by subscribing on the Subscribe page of the PA website.