Club hosts first singles comp

PETANQUE players from about half a dozen northern and western Victorian teams gathered at the Ballarat East Bowling Club as part of the first singles tournament to be held in the region.

Normally held in Melbourne, the competition was hosted by members of the Ballarat Petanque Club and saw 14 female and 18 male players taking part.

Ballarat Petanque Club president Don Collins said the event was a great showcase for the sport in the region and one he hopes to continue on an annual basis.

“We are so delighted with how this has gone,” he said. “Most of the players here haven’t played a singles before so it’s a new experience for many of us.

“We’re a logical choice to run this probably, being nice and central for these clubs. On the basis of how this has been received, we’ll definitely be putting it on again.

“It’s about lifting the profile of petanque. Like with many things, people aren’t aware of just how big it is here. Half of Australia’s registered players are in Victoria.”

Players from Avoca, Mount Macedon, Bendigo, Maldon, and Grampians were in attendance.

Collins said unlike double or triples games with multiple players against each other, singles matches provided a higher-stakes vulnerability.

“It’s one person against another person so you’re much more exposed,” he said. “If you make a mistake there’s no partner to back you up or make a better throw.

“You have to be as precise as you can because you’ve only got the three boules to shoot.”