Saturday 14 June – Whitnash, Warwickshire
Under unexpectedly glorious sunshine, the Whitnash Pétanque Club played host to this year’s Junior Triples Competition, welcoming a record number of young competitors and offering a vibrant showcase of the rising talent across the Pétanque England junior ranks.
A total of 30 juniors, forming 10 teams, took part in the day-long competition — an impressive increase from the previous year, representing nearly 44% of all Pétanque England-licensed juniors of competitive age. With a healthy mix of seasoned players and enthusiastic newcomers, the event truly reflected the inclusive and developmental ethos at the heart of Junior Pétanque.
Despite several teams playing together for the first time, the standard of play was high throughout the day, matched by the players’ communication, enthusiasm, and mutual support. Whether veterans or first-timers, every participant contributed to the spirit of the event with impressive displays of teamwork and sportsmanship.
The competition began with a three-round Swiss format, used to determine team rankings. Two teams emerged undefeated, securing three wins apiece, while two further teams qualified for the Gold bracket with two wins. The remaining teams were allocated to Silver and Bronze brackets respectively, based on performance.
The afternoon session saw a rolling knockout format, giving most teams two additional games to determine final standings.
🏆 Junior Triples Champions:
Aimee Rickman, Amy Geddes, and Tegan Finley
🥈 Runners-up:
Charlie Cason, Oscar Rypien, and Thomas Wells
A huge thank you goes to the many people who made the event possible — including the parents, carers, and coaches who continue to champion junior development. Special mention goes to umpire Bob, whose guidance and encouragement throughout the day were invaluable, and to Michelle, who ensured the smooth running of the event from start to finish.
The competition was warmly supported by hosts Whitnash Pétanque Club, whose hospitality was once again second to none. Sincere thanks also go to Carol and Glen for their continued work in developing Junior Pétanque in the Heart of England region.
Most of all, credit goes to the players — who came together from across the country, often having never met before, and yet played with professionalism, kindness, and pride. They reminded everyone watching that the future of English Pétanque is in very capable hands.
A full report of the Competition can be found here.
if you have any junior stories from your club please let us know as we want to celebrate with them. Send all stories and any photos to Claire Geddes at juniors@petanque-england.uk
For those keen to stay updated on junior petanque activities, be sure to follow @PEJuniors on Facebook. Additionally, for information on upcoming events, visit the juniors webpage at Juniors (petanque-england.uk).