Dispute resolution is good news

I am happy to see that one of the roles Bryan Wells has been allocated is the role of "Dispute resolution". This kind of service was also my suggestion after I became aware of the unfortunate "Dawn Gardner Incident". This was a long running dispute, which was finally settled by the NZ legal system after 15 months of wrangling. At some point during these 15 months PNZ was approached to mediate, but unfortunately, for whatever reason, the PNZ mediation did not eventuate. This new initiative by PNZ is fantastic news.

As this idea was first recorded on our Wiki (on this page), I like to think that our Wiki has played a part in this. Many items from this Wiki based Organisation SWOT Analysis page have also been taken on board by PNZ. I hope that other ideas, like a DVD library and a CEO newsletter are next. Great news all-around and nice our Wiki is part of it.

To help out is a good thing

What is so great about our friendly and small Petanque community is the fact that many fantastic people give freely of their time for the betterment of our sport. Webmasters, coaches, travel agents, teachers, accountants and many others give their time to help out. It shows that you can make a difference. Not every suggestion or project comes to fruition of course.

Oceania 2006 photos

Don't forget to have a look at the newly added photos and results of this by all accounts outstanding event. To think that all we needed was a NZ team of three players, in order to take part and defend our title. Lets not dwell on this here, and celebrate with the winners and participants. Well done to the organising and host country Australia!.

WPA selection process

The WPA has set up some Wiki pages about the proposed Regional Competitions Player Selection process. Please make sure you get involved with this.

Petanque SWOT Analysis

Organisation SWOT Analysis. New Zealand Petanque strategies to utilise strengths and leverage opportunities to deal with threats and weaknesses. Lets use our Wiki and work together on our future. Please tell us what you think, by adding to these pages.

Petanque terrain roughed-up?

"....Anybody can roll a boule on a smooth, flat terrain but it’s not so easy when the terrain has slopes and dips, stony areas, etc. The beginner invariable complains about a “bad bounce” whereas the expert will study the terrain, chose the best shot – rolling, half-lob or high-lob – and the correct landing spot, so as to minimise the risk of a “bad bounce”.

"....Beginners usually think that pointing is easy, shooting is difficult. Experienced players often say the opposite. Why? Because the shooter usually only needs to learn and play one shot, au fer, a direct boule to boule hit. Shooters are untroubled by an irregularities of the terrain."

We (Masterton Petanque Club) would like to receive some feedback from you. We are considering adding stones initially to 1/4 or 1/2 of our terrain. The question on which we want your opinion is this: If you entered a tournament in Masterton how would you feel about not knowing whether you played games on the super smooth part, or the stony part of our MPC terrain? Before you provide your feedback, make sure you read the full article by following the link below. Thanks for taking the time to let us know what you think.

- Tom.

News from Grenoble

If you have come for news from Grenoble, you will find it on the PNZ website

It appears that a group of people in NZ are receiving SMS progress reports from Grenoble. The two webmasters (Pete from the Hawkes Bay, and yours truly from Masterton) who last year made a real effort in bringing you news items (and photos) as they came to hand, are evidently not part of this SMS group. If we don't get it, we can't bring it. -Tom.

PS. I am sure that most of us understand that it would make no sense for webmasters to individually hunt for New Zealand material from Grenoble - we have lives too.

Update 25/09: Please note that the comments to this post are now out of sequence. For an explenation see "Note from the editor".

- Tom.

Low Petanque turnout

PNZ received 20 replies to their request for selection process feedback from the NZ Petanque membership (some are published here). Considering we have 60 players on the national selection list and at least 1200 affiliated members this is a disappointing result. It can't be easy for PNZ to formulate policies and get it right, if people are not showing any interest. It's no good moaning if we are not prepared to provide input. Twenty replies with 6 of these from players not on the selection list. This leaves only 14 replies from the 60 players that had put their name forward for selection. PNZ no doubt will be looking for some kind of mandate to make changes, but with only 20 replies this is going to be difficult.

"There is nothing harder than the softness of indifference"

 Juan Montalvo.

Petanque "suggestion"

My suggestion is that now that Windy Hills Club have a 'home terrain' it is time they ran a few tournaments so that some of the clubs that have provided them with tournaments with all the accompanying benefits in terms of facilities and the like, that they have enjoyed for a substantial length of time now without making any contribution of their own, could enjoy some of those same things. Come on guys, cough up and provide something in return, it's about time. No Name.

The views expressed in the "Suggestion" I have heard before. This is the first time I have seen these views in print. If we as Petanque players and officials remain on the sideline in the face of such an unfounded and callous attack, these views will fester on, and this would indeed be damaging. I therefore urge people to make a comment to this posting in support of Windy Hills. Please remember that a positive and measured tone has more impact. Blog editor, Tom van Bodegraven.

Remove one of their boule

Hi Andy. Could you please consider the following hypothetical situation. I am playing in a tournament with no arbiter present. One of my opponents keeps lifting his foot whilst shooting. I warn him not to do this and clearly explain that this is against the rules. After I warn my opponent for a fourth time, I decide to give them a penalty and remove one of their boule. Am I within my rights to do this? Cheers, Tom van Bodegraven.

You can read Andy's answer by following the "comments" link below.

This is a new service in which Andy Gilbert (NZPA Arbiter) answers your questions. Email your question to me and I will post it to this Blog for Andy to ponder.
My email address is: bodebons(at)xtra.co.nz. Make sure you put "Petanque" in the subject line.

- Tom.

Don't forget to visit our new NZ Petanque Wiki site!

Petanque suggestion

Here is the next suggestion from our Suggestion Box. Make sure you keep those suggestions rolling in. You can read or add comments to this suggestion by simply clicking on "Comments" at the bottom of this post. Enjoy.

Suggestion: "I think that at the nationals, trophys should be given to the top mixed (mens & womens) team and the top female team as women are at a disadvantage compared to men where it is becoming increasingly clear that to do well at the top level you need to be a male to do well at the Nats. Given that it costs 3-4 hundred notes for the weekend, women are increasingly just making up the no's and they need to be recognised somehow." No name.

Please note that the style of writing by some authors of suggestions or comments may not always be to your liking. I urge you to look beyond this and find the essence of what is being said. As a general guide for writing suggestions you will find you have more impact if you write in a style that is non-confrontational, and you sign off with your name. As the editor of this Blog I will not take on a dictatorial stance and ban or sanitise content.

Cheers, Tom.

It's all in your head

Recently people have been asking me: “How is it possible your shooting success rate is now almost 100%. Not only that, you always carreau”.

The answer is “Subliminal Training”. Don't go out in the cold and rain for your training sessions, stay warm and in front of your computer screen. By watching this animation for only 5 minutes per day, you will reach 100% in no time. Remember, 5 minutes of subliminal training equals 756 hours of work on the piste (this figure varies from person to person and is an average). For best results I recommend you throw your arms up into the air and say-out loud “CARREAU” in unison with the animation. Make sure you tell members of your household or workplace that you are training – you do not want any misunderstandings. Have fun and remember, it’s all in your head.

PS. Some people have reported accelerated results by saying the word “CARREAU” with a French accent.

New calendar

I have put up a new calendar (see CALENDAR link - top right).
When you go to the calendar you should click on the "month" button to see a whole month at a time - third icon from left (see screenshot). All events within the main calendar are clickable.

At the bottom of each month is a summary with the right-hand column clickable (see second screenshot).

The "print friendly" page is also handy. Plus the fact that useful information can be given about tournaments. Try out our own Midwinter Doubles or the Trans Tasman, either in the main calendar or in "This Month's Events" at the bottom of the page. Starting with May, each month will have a "Petanque joke of the month". Who knows, they may even be funny. Hope you like it.

They are the Champions

Here are the club Champions for 2005.
Club Singles: Joan Miller. (6/2/05)
Club Doubles: Lorraine Gibbons & Jeanne Zee. (16/4/05)
Club Triples: Janet King & Helene and Doug Hay. (17/4/05)

National Singles

The National Singles are to be held at Bay View on 3/4 September. Start planning your weekend in Art Deco City.

NZ team Trans Tasman Challenge

To be held in Sydney 14th-15th May 2005:

Gordon Dykes (Windy Hills) has withdrawn from the NZ team. He has been replaced by Steve Thwaites (Christchurch).

Ian Baker (Auckland)
Sharon Cannon (Hawkes Bay)
Tony Chin (Wellington)
Steve Thwaites (Christchurch)
Anita Fletcher (Auckland)
Christian Fouquet (Auckland)
David Lippard (Auckland)
Claire Matthews (Auckland)
Chris Priestley (Auckland)
Michael Rocks (Wellington)
Bethne Rouse (Hawkes Bay)
Dirk Winnie (Wellington)

Reserves:
Margret Fleck (Wellington)
Laurel Priestley (Auckland)
Ken Stentiford (Hamilton)

Selected but not available:

Allan Fletcher (Auckland)
Richard Swaney (Auckland)

The team manager is Trevor Nielson of Rotorua.

Petanque NZ congratulates all these players on their selection, and wishes them all the best as they endeavour to bring the Trophy back to this side of the Tasman.

Messages of support can be emailed to secretary@petanquenz.com and will be forwarded to the team.

Barbara Whittington - Secretary Petanque NZ