Shogun’s Pétanque Mania: 76 Players Pack the Courts!
Shogun Association’s Pétanque Tournament: A Sunny Day of Fun and Competition in Voulaines-les-Templiers
What Happened on August 15th?
On Saturday, August 15th, the Shogun Association organized a big pétanque tournament in the charming village of Voulaines-les-Templiers. The event took place on the Place du Pâtis (that’s the main square), and it was a wonderful day filled with games, laughter, and community spirit.
Important Point: Pétanque is a popular French game where players throw metal balls (called boules) as close as possible to a small wooden target ball (called a cochonnet or jack). It’s similar to bocce or lawn bowling, but with its own special rules and style!
By the Numbers
- 38 teams (called doublettes in French) participated
- That means 76 players total (2 players per team)
- 1 main final + 1 consolation final
- 4 special award categories
- 1 fun side game + 1 traditional weight-guessing contest
The Main Competition
How the Tournament Worked
- Teams registered as pairs (doublettes)
- Matches were played throughout the day on the village square
- Shaded areas and the association’s refreshment stand kept everyone cool and hydrated
- Food trucks served delicious treats (more on that below!)
- Finals were played under lights as the evening came
The Big Finals
| Final Type | Winners | Runners-Up |
|---|---|---|
| Main Final | Rémy and Nico | Séfo and Joachim |
| Consolation Final | Brothers Totof and Nico | Aurélie B. |
Fun Fact: "Consolation final" means a second-chance tournament for teams who lost earlier. Everyone gets to keep playing!
Food, Drinks & Good Vibes
The organizers made sure nobody went hungry or thirsty:
- Shaded spots under trees for breaks between games
- Buvette (refreshment stand) run by the Shogun Association volunteers
- Steven and Pauline from "A la Bonne Faim" (a local food spot) served:
- Fresh sandwiches
- Ice cream (perfect for a hot August day!)
Special Awards & Recognitions
The tournament wasn’t just about winning the main bracket. Several special prizes celebrated different teams:
| Award | Winners | Why It’s Special |
|---|---|---|
| Best Female Team | Laurine and Marine | Top-performing all-women duo |
| Best Mixed Team | Sacha and Jordan | Best male-female partnership |
| Best Junior Team | Cousins nicknamed "Les Portugais" | Young players showing great skill |
| "Pétanque à Trou" Game | Jordan and Maéva | Winners of a fun side game* |
| Traditional Hamper Prize | Mouss | Guessed the weight closest to actual (8.05 kg)! |
* What is "Pétanque à Trou"?** It’s a fun variation where players aim to throw their boules into a hole or target. Think of it like carnival game meets pétanque!
Memories Captured
The day was photographed beautifully. Here are the moments that were captured:
- Laurine and Marine (Best Female Team) + Sacha and Jordan (Best Mixed Team) smiling with their awards
- The Junior Champions – the cousins known as "Les Portugais" looking proud
- Totof and Nico (the brothers!) celebrating their consolation final victory
- The Shogun Association team hard at work making the event run smoothly
Summary: A Perfect Summer Day
The Shogun Association’s pétanque tournament was a huge success! With 76 players, great food, perfect weather, and a friendly atmosphere, it showed why pétanque is more than just a game—it’s a way to bring people together. From the serious competitors in the main final to the juniors learning the ropes, everyone found their place on the Place du Pâtis that day.
Key Takeaways:
- 38 teams (76 players) participated
- Rémy & Nico won the main title
- Brothers Totof & Nico won the consolation final
- Special awards for women, mixed, and junior teams
- Fun side games and traditional hamper contest
- Great food, shade, and community spirit throughout
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a "doublette" in pétanque?
A doublette is simply a team of two players. Each player typically has 3 boules, so a team has 6 boules total. It’s one of the most common formats, along with triplettes (3 players) and têtes-à-tête (1 vs 1).
2. What does "consolation final" mean?
In many tournaments, when you lose a match, you’re not done! You enter a second-chance bracket called the consolante. The winners of that bracket play the consolation final. It gives everyone more games and more fun!
3. Who are "Les Portugais"?
That’s a nickname for a pair of cousins who played together. They won the "Best Junior Team" award. The nickname likely comes from their family heritage or just a fun team name they chose!
4. How do you win the hamper prize?
It’s a weight-guessing game! A big gift basket (hamper) is displayed, and everyone writes down their guess of how much it weighs. Mouss guessed 8.05 kg, which was closest to the actual weight, so he won the whole basket!
5. Can anyone join next year?
Absolutely! Association tournaments like this are usually open to everyone—experienced players, beginners, locals, and visitors. Keep an eye on the Shogun Association’s announcements next summer for registration details.
Final Thought: Whether you’re a pétanque pro or have never held a boule, events like this are about community, laughter, and making summer memories. Maybe next year, your name will be on the winners’ list!