Our PE President and Chair of the coaching commission, Colin Roper, has recently been sharing his extensive knowledge and expertise with our enthusiastic juniors in the Eastern region at the Ongar Pétanque Club. These engaging sessions have included eager participants from both Ongar Pétanque Club and Birchanger Pétanque Club, fostering a sense of community and collaboration among the young players.
Carolyn Innocent will be continuing the work with these promising youngsters, providing them with the encouragement they need to join our regular training sessions at Ongar. This will allow them to gain valuable match-play experience, which is crucial for their development. Additionally, Carolyn will guide them through their PE Skills Award and support them on their Junior journey, ensuring they have the tools and knowledge to excel in the sport.
The juniors have certainly been showing signs of increased confidence, and it is evident that they are taking Colin’s advice to heart. This positive response is encouraging, as it indicates that the coaching methods being employed are effective and resonating with the young players.
The ultimate goal of these efforts is to establish an Eastern Counties Regional Junior Team for the upcoming season. This team will not only provide a platform for the juniors to showcase their skills but also foster a sense of pride and achievement among the players.
The latest session was particularly special, as it was unexpectedly graced by the presence of the Ongar Council Chairman, Councillor Jason Gunn, along with fellow Councillor Diane Roberts.
Despite being wheelchair-bound, Jason’s enthusiasm and joy at witnessing the growing interest in our sport were truly inspiring. He expressed his desire to see pétanque expand not only to a wider audience but also to those who may have mobility challenges. Jason was genuinely pleased to observe the initiatives we are implementing in Ongar to promote the game of pétanque and to encourage the inclusion of our younger generation in this wonderful sport.
If your club is actively working to introduce new juniors to the sport or if you have juniors in your club who are achieving remarkable things, we would love to hear your stories. Please send your updates to Chris Chubb at juniors@petanque-england.uk so we can share these inspiring tales with everyone in our community.
For those who are eager to stay informed about junior pétanque activities, we invite you to follow @PEJuniors on Facebook. This platform will keep you updated on all the latest happenings and developments. Additionally, for information regarding upcoming events, please visit the juniors webpage at Juniors (petanque-england.uk).
We look forward to hearing from you and celebrating the accomplishments of our young players! Your contributions and stories are vital in showcasing the talent and dedication of our juniors, and together, we can continue to nurture the future of pétanque.