French flair marks Bastille Day

Although the rain kept the game away, members of Tauranga Petanque Club sipped on French soup to honour of one of the biggest days on the French calendar today.  

Dressed in their finest French attire club players gathered at the Cliff Road clubhouse to celebrate Bastille Day, 233 years to the day after the famous prison break that sparked the beginning of the French Revolution.

John Hudson serves up some French onion soup at Tauranga Petanque Club Bastille Day.

Club President Neil Goodwin says despite the rain stopping the games going ahead, members are enjoying Bastille Day with traditional cheese and French onion soup.

“We have been singing some French songs and celebrated the only game the French have ever invented.”

The iconic French ball game was originally played in town squares, but Neil says it can be played on any surface except concrete, with Tauranga boasting one of the best pitches in the country.

“Anyone can play petanque - it is the only game where a novice can beat a class champion.

“Tauranga actually has one of the best terrains in the country and in September we will be holding the National Women’s Teams competition.”

With an annual club registration fee of $25, Neil says petanque is an affordable and low impact way of staying active.

Tauranga Petanque Club members Andrea Coles, Annette Forrest, Neita Stewart and Henny Colyn.

“You can have a year’s worth of petanque for the same price you pay for one round of golf.

“It is a very economical sport in this day and age, and there are no upfront costs as we can supply all the equipment and teach people the rules.

“It keeps people mobile and improves the hand-eye coordination.”

The Tauranga Petanque Club meets four times a week at Robins Reserve on Cliff Road at 12.45pm.

Neil says anyone is welcome to attend - all they have to do is bring themselves as all of the equipment is provided.

For further information on Petanque contact Neita on 572 3768 or Brenda on 579 9042.

Neil Goodwin, Don Whitworth and John Hudson at the Tauranga Petanque Club Bastille Day.