Umpiring

Umpires are at the heart of fair play in our sport.

At Pétanque England, our umpires are more than just rule-enforcers — they are ambassadors of the game, educators on the terrain, and key to upholding the integrity of pétanque in England.

Whether you’re a new player or a seasoned competitor, umpires are here to support a game that’s fair, respectful, and played in the true spirit of competition.

Every Pétanque England umpire commits to our official Umpiring Code of Conduct (PDF), which outlines their obligations, rights, and responsibilities. Here’s what that looks like in practice:

Our Umpires Commit To:

• Acting with integrity, fairness, and impartiality — always.

• Wearing the official umpire uniform with pride.

• Attending annual training and development sessions.

• Supporting each other through shared knowledge, experience, and communication.

• Being approachable and available to players, officials, and the media.

• Upholding the values of inclusivity and respect — both on and off the terrain.

They Also:

• Help educate players and the wider community on the rules and spirit of the game.

• Promote cohesion between organisers, players, and officials.

• Maintain peak physical, mental, and technical readiness to perform their role.

• Set an example at all times — representing both the sport and Pétanque England with professionalism.

All our umpires participate in continuous professional development, including:

•  attending at least one course every two years to refresh or upgrade their qualifications

• Ongoing education on rule updates and best practices

• Meetings with the Umpiring Commission to align standards nationally

PE can also provide training for European and International Umpires in preparation for the exams set by CEP and FIPJP respectively. CEP have an Umpires webpage where you can find all details of European rules, guides and other useful information: https://www.cep-petanque.com/umpires.html 

We’re always looking to grow and support our umpiring community. If you’re passionate about fair play and want to contribute more to the sport, becoming a qualified umpire is a great way to get involved.

Interested in becoming an umpire?

Learn more about the training pathway →

To become a Club Umpire you must have been a member of PE for at least two years; you can then apply to take the Club Umpires course by completing the application form below.

After two years as Club Umpire you can take further training to progress to County Umpire and then after another two years to National Umpire.

To apply to train to be an umpire, or to take a refresher exam, download and complete the form below and send it to umpring@petanque-england.uk

Have a question about rules, events, or umpiring opportunities? Reach out to our Umpiring Commission for support.