Stone Petanque Club is hoping more people in and around Stone will come along and try a sport that is sociable, gentle, competitive when people want it to be, and open to all abilities.
The club meets at 2pm each Sunday at the Stone House Hotel on the A34 in Stone, where players use the old tennis courts. The pistes can be seen from the main road, and the club is keen to raise its profile after membership fell to 15.
For anyone who has played boules on holiday, pétanque will feel familiar. The aim is simple, players throw metal boules as close as possible to a small target ball, known as the jack. Games can be relaxed and friendly, or more competitive for those who want to take things further.
One member, who joined with her husband around 18 months ago, said
“My husband and I have only been member for 18 months but have been made to feel very welcome.
“We are now looking to increase our profile and hopefully boost our numbers. This sport can be played by any age and ability.”
Stone Petanque Club has been part of the town for more than two decades. It was founded in 2000, with its first home in a corner of Stone Cricket Club’s ground. Members built eight pistes there and, in the early days, the club had around 25 members.
After the cricket club needed the space back, the club moved to a village pub for several years before finding its current home in 2017 on the former tennis courts at the Stone House Hotel.
The club now has five pistes, each with slightly different playing characteristics. Members can use them for extra games or practice outside the Sunday afternoon session, apart from Wednesday afternoons when U3A uses the area.
Although pétanque is often thought of as a summer sport, the Stone club plays throughout the year when the weather allows. Members have also taken part in friendly winter league games at venues across the Midlands, including Penkridge.
The club joined Pétanque England in 2024 and is affiliated to the Heart of England region.
New players do not need experience to give it a try. The club says the game can be played by people of different ages and abilities, and members are keen to encourage anyone who is curious to come and see what it is about.
Anyone interested can find Stone Petanque Club at the old tennis courts at the Stone House Hotel at 2pm on Sundays. You can also find Stone Petanque on Facebook.
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