Inter-Regional 2022
The Inter-Regional Championship and Challenge tournaments have always been the ‘event of the year’ that many of our membership look forward to with eagerness. However, this year the tournament was tinged with national sadness in the passing of our monarch of seventy years, Queen Elizabeth II.
This year the weather was rather cold, very windy and at times raining, but with the occasional sight of blue skies and sunshine. As a result, matches were completed later than we would have wished and went on into the early evening, such was the competitiveness to be successful as a team and as a region.
Whilst there were winners and losers, together with happiness and sadness, there were also some elements that produced dissatisfaction in the supporting services, as often comes about when staying at a new venue. Much has been noted that will need to be addressed, and this is balanced together with the more encouraging sounds of enjoyment in being part of the Inter-Regional tournament.
Home Nations Tournament
Following on from the success achieved at the recent European Championships it was pleasing to see our Home Nations squad continue with that success, particularly after an absence of 3 years. Our hosts Scotland can take pride at providing an excellent location set in lovely surroundings and running a well organised tournament.
At the conclusion of the championship, the next Home Nations falling upon us to host, we invited our fellow nations to participate in a competition over the corresponding August weekend in 2023. The event will be hosted by Whitnash Windmill PC in Royal Leamington Spa, in the Heart of England. From the country of Robbie Burns, we move on to that of William Shakespeare.
National Espoir and Junior Teams
In October, we will see our national Espoir Men and Junior Girls embark on their quests to be successful at the CEP International Championships.
In their lead-up to the European championships they have been participating regularly at various events as individual, doubles or triple teams throughout the year, to maintain consistent levels of performance in preparation for challenge ahead.
With their respective team coaches Simon Bird and Hannah-Louise Griffin, they will enjoy the experience of national representation at a major international tournament and being supported by attending family and PE members. We wish them success and good fortune.
The 24th CEP Euro Cup
Congratulations to River Hamble PC for their success in qualifying to represent our country in the forthcoming 2022 CEP European Cup for Club Teams.
The competition will be held in Saint-Yrieix-Sur-Charente, France, from 10th to 13th November.
Our representative club team will be up against the best clubs in Europe and we know they will be approaching and participating with enthusiasm. We wish them good luck in their challenge.
Annual General Meeting (AGM)
As we approach the autumn and completion of our national events calendar, attention will turn to consider our organisation, its operations and future governance. It would not be unreasonable to say that the last few years for our organisation has been a little dramatic; it has been reliant on those who volunteer their services unconditionally and do so on behalf of all our membership.
The next Annual General meeting (AGM) will offer the opportunity for directors and officers to report on the various operation of Petanque-England over the past period. As with any AGM, it will also offer PE members the opportunity to consider serving on the Petanque England Board as a Director, with all the responsibilities that entails.
Details of the date, time and venue of the 2022 AGM will be announced shortly.
London Petanque Championship
The London Region is pleased to announce the return of the `London Petanque Championship` on the 3rd /4th June 2023, at the Crystal Place London venue. It is expected that a number of European and World Petanque champions will be attending and participating at the tournament.