Pétanque Union Bois le Duc

‘s-Hertogenbosch - The Netherlands

Founded on July 6, 2016

Member of the Dutch Pétanque Association (NJBB)

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NEWS - ARCHIVE 2022

You can read the news items of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc from 2022 here.

December 31, 2022 - A well-known Dutch saying is “Whoever writes stays”. It seems that way (apparently) also for the ‘Individual championship 2022’. From the opening of our association at the beginning of July 2022, almost all mixed games of the Thursday evenings were recorded and processed … by the eventual winner!

The individual championship is won by the player who has the most points at the end of the year. This person must have reached the threshold of the minimum number of matches required. Read: ²/₃ of the highest number of matches played by one player during the year.

Archive photo October 2, 2022: Willem Warnaar.

Willem Warnaar was head and shoulders above the rest in terms of number of matches. He has played no fewer than 45 registered matches. This resulted in the final threshold: ²/₃ x 45 = 30 matches. There were only eight players who managed to reach the threshold.

Marco Tijl and Antoon van Mil finished on top with 66 game points each. Marco achieved this by winning 22 out of 35 matches, Antoon by winning 22 out of 31 matches. However, Antoon had more balance points on average than Marco: 3,61 to 2,54 balance points. This makes Antoon the ultimate winner of the ‘Individual championship 2022’. Congratulations! 🥳

December 15, 2022 - A new year lies ahead. A year in which we (just like now) have the chance to make the world a little more beautiful, to look after each other and to do things that contribute to a better but above all more inclusive society. Care about each other, ask how someone is doing, even if it's difficult or you don't know that person well (yet). The best thing we can give each other is each other: "We are the association, and the association is society!"

The board and the association members of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New. 🥳

December 11, 2022 - Press release.

PEA SOUP WITH PÉTANQUE BALLS

You just have to feel like throwing metal balls with temperatures around freezing point in an icy cold. A large group of members of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc thought it was fun. This weekend, for example, the ‘Cold hands tournment’, devised by association member Marco Tijl, took place for the first time, in which sixteen fanatical jeu de boulers from the Bossche association took part.

“A new annual tradition is born,” said initiator Tijl. “One that, in a very casual way, brings together the members of our association for a last get-together at the end of the year.” Tijl indirectly refers to the cold autumn and winter days, as a result of which the occupancy at the sixteen pétanque courts of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc is logically decreasing. “The boules literally become ice cold, the fingers cramp and the hands turn blue,” adds Chairman Antoon van Mil. “De ijzeren boules liggen na het werpen stil op de steenkoude banen en absorberen de kou 100%.”

A lot of thought has gone into the organization of the ‘Cold hands tournament’. For example, the four matches were played on time so that they did not take too long, in order to prevent real cooling down (especially of the hands), but also to ensure that the participants could simultaneously enjoy a cup of warm pea soup supplemented with various types of bread between the second and third competition. The Bossche boulers have a very close-knit association where not only sporty but also socially good scores are achieved.

Even though it was a friendly tournament, it was nevertheless played on the cutting edge. After four rounds, the top three could be made up, with the initiator of the event, Marco Tijl, coming out on top with four wins and no fewer than 37 points. Only Elly Smit also managed to win all four of her matches with 32 points. The top three was closed by Johan de Koning: three wins and 23 points. We can look back on a very successful event that is already on the agenda for 2023.

The price winners of the ‘Cold hands tournament’. F.l.t.r.: Johan de Koning (3^rd), Elly Smit (2^nd) and Marco Tijl (1^st).

Click here for the final standings and here for all photos of the ‘Cold hands tournament’.

December 10, 2022 - In the fourteen-lane Boule-O-Drome of Jeu de Boules club Dongen, P.U. Bois le Duc 1 had to play against the 4^th team of the home club. The players selected for this match day -, being: Antoon van Mil, Edith Pol - Willemsen, Hans van Woerkum, Özlem Akdoğan, Rini van Woerkum and Theo van Wandelen -, played over three rounds in doubles, triplet and doubles form. To maintain second place in the 6^th Division, right behind leader Jeu de Boules association Petangeske from Bergen op Zoom, the team had to win.

The Dongense players were sharp from the start and in the first round of doubles only the Bossche doubles Van Mil/Pol - Willemsen managed to win: 13-2. The other doubles (Van Woerkum/Akdoğan and Van Woerkum/Van Wandelen) both lost 4-13. As a result, the Bossche team immediately faced a 1-2 deficit.

The second round, which is played in triplet form, is often grist to the mill for the team of ‘s‑Hertogenbosch. More than once, the team effectively cleared a deficit by winning both triplet matches, including this time. Both the Van Mil/Van Woerkum/Van Wandelen triplet and the Van Woerkum/Akdoğan/Pol - Willemsen triplet won 13-8, bringing the score to 3-2 in favour of the Bossche team.

In the third round, again in doubles form, the Dongense team recovered strongly and took two of the three games: 8-13, 9-13. Only the double Van Woerkum/Akdoğan did good business with a 13‑5 victory. This brought the final score to a 4-4 draw.

At the same time played Jeu de Boules association Petangeske from Bergen op Zoom, - the league leader and the direct competitor for P.U. Bois le Duc 1 -, out in Sint-Michielsgestel where it surprisingly lost 3-5. Despite their draw, the Bossche team still strengthened its second place in the competition. A final direct encounter between the numbers one and two in the standings seems to be decisive for who will ultimately be promoted to the fifth division.

F.l.t.r.: Rini van Woerkum, Hans van Woerkum, Özlem Akdoğan, Edith Pol - Willemsen, Theo van Wandelen

and Antoon van Mil. The apple pie was baked by Liesbeth van Ooijen - Van Rooijen and it was delicious! 😉

Do you want to know where P.U. Bois le Duc 1 next time, click here. For the current standings, look here.

December 5, 2022 - Due to (very) understandable private circumstances, Harm Schilders has today withdrawn from the daily board of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc. We thank him for his commitment to our association and in particular his ‘think tank function’ in the realisation phase of our accommodation! 😊

Archive photo April 14, 2022: Harm publishes the poster of the EC Pétanque 2022 in the canteen.

As a board member, Harm still had a limited number of tasks, including managing the maintenance committee. He was also a member of the building committee. Both roles revert to our Chairman, Antoon van Mil.

Harm remains actively involved in our association and will therefore regularly be found on our pétanque courts, but only as a jeu de boules player. Given his way of playing, he is still of great added value.

December 4, 2022 - It was certainly cold with a temperature around freezing point and a strong wind that resulted in an even lower feeling temperature. Yet, just like yesterday, there was fanatical but above all fun playing today. What a persistency of our association members.

The cup of coffee after the first game tasted but above all felt very good! 😋

December 1, 2022 - The billboard with the association logos of the sports associations present at De Fuik 10 had been hanging for a few days, but was not yet finished. With the placement of text above and below the logos, it is now clear to everyone that the location is multifunctional in nature. Football, ultimate frisbee, pétanque and darts: something for everyone! 😊

November 30, 2022 - Because Pétanque Union Bois le Duc does not yet have indoor courts, games are also played on Wednesday evenings in the hall of Jeu de Boules association L’Ammerzo in Ammerzoden during the cold autumn and winter months. The hall is open from 7:00 PM. We will start our game at 7:30 PM. The address: Hoge Weiden 18, 5324 JC Ammerzoden.

Of course we will also continue to play on our outdoor courts in 's-Hertogenbosch and, as usual, we will be open on Tuesday evening, Thursday evening, Saturday afternoon and Sunday afternoon.

November 29, 2022 - To end the year in style, we are organising a mix tournament (à la mêlée) for our association members on Sunday, December 11^th 2022.

The games are played on time, this to prevent you from standing still for too long. After the 2^nd round there is a longer break in which pea soup (snert) is served supplemented with bread.

Click here for the flyer of the ‘Cold hands tournament’. It also tells you how to register yourself and until when this is possible.

Do you only want to participate in the food? No problem, you can! 😊

November 19, 2022 - Once again the first team of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc faced a tough opponent, this time the team of Jeu de Boules association L'Ammerzo that played at home in its Boulodrome L'Ammerzo that holds sixteen pétanque courts. The players selected for this match day -, being: Edith Pol - Willemsen, Hans van Woerkum, Liesbeth van Ooijen - van Rooijen, Özlem Akdoğan, Rini van Woerkum and Theo van Wandelen -, played over three rounds in doubles, triplet and doubles form. The Ammerzodenaren had to be beaten to maintain second place in the 6^th Division, right behind leader Jeu de Boules association Petangeske.

In the first round of doubles, the Bossche team didn’t really get off to a good start, only the women’s double Akdoğan/Pol - Willemsen managed to win: 13-6. The other two games were lost big: 9‑13 and 6‑13. This made it 1-2 in favour of the Ammerzodenaren.

In the second round, which was played in triplet form, P.U. Bois le Duc 1 regains its resilience. Divided into a full women’s and men’s triplet, the team immediately turned the proverbial tide. The men’s triplet managed to win very convincingly with 13-0, where the women’s team had to put in a little more effort to eventually win: 13-11. Intermediate score: 3-2.

To secure the full win, the team from ’s-Hertogenbosch had to win at least two out of three games in the third round and in doubles form. The team succeeded in this because it took revenge on the first round by winning with reverse numbers: 9-13, 13-7 and 13-7. This brought the final score to 5‑3 for P.U. Bois le Duc 1 and took home the full win.

The team of P.U. Bois le Duc 1 in Boulodrome L’Ammerzo in Ammerzoden. F.l.t.r.: Liesbeth van Ooijen - van Rooijen,

Edith Pol - Willemsen, Theo van Wandelen, Özlem Akdoğan, Hans van Woerkum and Rini van Woerkum.

Do you want to know where P.U. Bois le Duc 1 next time, click here. For the current standings, look here.

November 18, 2022 - It was a successful day for the Bossche pétanque players, this time on the courts of P.C. Amitié in Best. The brothers Hans and Rini van Woerkum took part in the 50+ doubles tournament there today.

After two wins, against solid opponents, the third match was extremely difficult. For a moment the double seemed to be heading for defeat with a 2-10 deficit, but with good mutual agreement and solid play the team fought back to eventually win the game 13-12. The fourth and final game was also convincingly won.

Hans and Rini finished in fifth place with a total of four wins and 19 points.

November 16, 2022 - “A real Bosschenaar,” that’s how Tijs Verbruggen called himself. Someone with a big heart for the city and the jeu de boules game that he played with much love for decades.

From the first shovel in the ground, Tijs invariably visited us daily on his scooter to see how things were progressing with the realisation of our accommodation, also to ensure that no one was on site who did not belong there.

Tijs was a colorful figure, someone with (like everyone else) instructions for use. But, after reading these instructions for a few pages, you quickly came to the conclusion that he had a good heart and was always willing to help if you asked him for something.

We will miss his colourful presence and accompanying chuckling smile and wish his loved ones a lot of strength with this sudden loss. Sorry for your loss.

November 11, 2022 - On the day national coach Louis van Gaal announces the selection for the soccer World Cup in Qatar, Pétanque Union Bois le Duc presents the new team composition of P.U. Bois le Duc 1 with effect from January 1^st 2023.

John Pol, a very experienced player who has played at Dutch top level, joins the team. Good luck! 👍

On good terms, Niek Buskop and Oly Sathia will retire from the National Pétanque Competition 2022‑2023 for now. Thank you for your contribution to the team! 😊

This is the complete team composition as of January 1^st 2023:

Do you want to know where P.U. Bois le Duc 1 next time, click here. For the current standings, look here.

November 5, 2022 - It promised to be an exciting day of competition for the first team of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc. In the boulodrome in Bergen op Zoom, the team had to compete against Jeu de Boules association Petangeske 5, the leader of the 6^th Division with only two points more than P.U. Bois le Duc 1. This was the chance for the Bossche team to take the lead in the standings.

The players selected for this match day -, being: Antoon van Mil, Corrie van Mil - de Looijer, Edith Pol ‑ Willemsen, Hans van Woerkum, Özlem Akdoğan, Theo van Wandelen and Rini van Woerkum -, played over three rounds in doubles, triplet and doubles form. Petangeske 5 was a tough one for the actually brand new Bossche team because the Bergen op Zoom selection mainly consists of former and very experienced Top Division players who have dropped back to the 6^th Division.

In the first round of doubles, P.U. Bois le Duc 1 did not get out of the starting blocks and the team immediately faced a solid backlog. For a moment, the women’s couple Akdoğan/Pol still seemed to win the match, but they also drew the short straw, so all three doubles matches were lost: 3‑13, 6‑13 and 11‑13. Standings: 0‑3.

The second round, in which the teams played against each other in triplet form, would immediately be decisive because of the earlier loss. Finally, if P.U. Bois le Duc 1 would lose one out of two matches, then only a draw would be possible and all three doubles matches of the third round would have to be won. The Bossche boulers showed to be resilient and excel in the triplet game. They convincingly won twice (13-0 and 13-10) with which the score came to 2-3.

The third round, in which the game was played in doubles again, was decisive for the final score. The team that would win two out of three matches would automatically become the new leader of the 6^th Division. The Van Mil - de Looijer/Van Mil team started energetically but, due to a tactical error by Chairman Antoon van Mil, it gave away two points where it could have scored five relatively easily. The deficit was never made up again, due to varying play: 1-13 (2-4). The doubles team Pol - Willemsen/H. van Woerkum, on the other hand, managed to win convincingly by calm and solid play: 13-5 (3-4). The end result of the meeting, a draw, was thus in the hands of the doubles team Akdoğan/R. from Woerkum. The double played concentrated but was not lucky in the game: 6‑13. Final score: 3-5 in favor of Petangeske 5, which strengthened their lead.

The return between the two teams is scheduled for Saturday, March 11^th 2023 in the hall of Pétanque Association Wij Liggen in Schijndel. Until then, P.U. Bois le Duc 1 hold on to its second place to take over the lead in a mutual encounter with Petangeske 5 (only two games before the end of the competition).

Do you want to know where P.U. Bois le Duc 1 next time, click here. For the current standings, look here.

November 4, 2022 - Today the billboard of Project developer Van Wijnen has been hung up. A great opportunity to record our entire accommodation (16 jeu de boules courts) on camera. 🙂 Click here for the photos.

November 2, 2022 - Our trainers, they are absolute champs! 👍🏻 As of August 3, Hans van Woerkum, Rini van Woerkum and Ruud Van Hintum have given training to a total of 55 unique participants almost every Wednesday evening (read: 70% of our member base has participated 1 or more times). The enthusiasm with which the gentlemen gave their training was reflected in the weekly attendance: more than 20 members were always present per training. 😊

Today was the last training for now, with a view to the coming cold autumn and winter months. In addition, after such a period of ‘hard work’, the trainers also deserve some rest. 😉

As a thank you for their (unpaid) efforts, Chairman Antoon van Mil passed around the proverbial cap. The trainers received a beautiful gift voucher from his hands and the compliments on behalf of all participants and the daily board.

Click here to see the photos of the last training of 2022. Click on one of the images below for a short video impression.

Training will resume at the beginning of March 2023. Until then, of course, regular games will be played. Click here for our opening hours.

PS: special thanks to Theo van Wandelen who, just before every training session, put the petánque courses in order.

October 29, 2022 - The first team of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc visited Jeu de Boules association Va‑Tout in Breda today to play the fourth round of the National Pétanque Competition 2022‑2023. Despite the beautiful autumn weather, it was decided to play indoors anyway this in order to get to know the capricious courses there before the next meeting well into the winter season. The players selected for this match day -, being: Antoon van Mil, Corrie van Mil - de Looijer, Hans van Woerkum, Özlem Akdoğan, Theo van Wandelen and Rini van Woerkum -, played over three rounds in doubles, triplet and doubles form.

The team from ’s-Hertogenbosch knew in advance that Va-Tout’s difficult indoor courses would cause a surprise. It was also soon clear that the opponent knows the courses like no other because in the first round P.U. Bois le Duc 1 managed to win only one of three doubles matches (0‑2). It was immediately all hands on deck for the second round in which they played in triplet form. Two teams that were strong on paper were drawn up, but the proverbial penny rolled partly in the wrong direction and, instead of a 3-2 lead, P.U. Bois le Duc 1 faced a 2-3 disadvantage. So all three doubles had to be won to secure the overall victory. Through good and above all very constructive team consultation, in which it was decided to completely change the line-up for the decisive double round, P.U. Bois le Duc 1 convincingly won the last matches: 13-9, 13-7 and 13-4. Final score: 5‑3.

A good team spirit, crucial for success!

Do you want to know where P.U. Bois le Duc 1 next time, click here. For the current standings, look here.

October 24, 2022 - The General Members’ Meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 16^th 2022. The meeting starts at 8:00 PM and is open to members, donors and interested parties. The location: Social Cultural Center De Helftheuvel (Helftheuvelpassage 115, 5224 AC 's‑Hertogenbosch). The hall is open from 7:30 PM. The first cup of coffee or tea is at the expense of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc.

October 23, 2022 - With the cold autumn and winter months approaching, the training on Wednesday evenings will temporarily come to an end. For the time being, the last training session will take place on Wednesday evening November 2^nd 2022. From then on, our three always enthusiastic trainers, - Hans van Woerkum, Rini van Woerkum and Ruud van Hintum -, can enjoy a well-deserved evening off and recharge for the restart of the training in March 2023.

October 20, 2022 - Press release.

P.U. BOIS LE DUC AND VAN WIJNEN MAKE SOCIAL IMPACT

Convincing sponsors to contribute to your sports club is not easy. Finally, what does a company gain from a sponsor sign along the lines or their logo on the kit? Often there is no business case and it only provides a company with some goodwill, without a substantial spin-off. Pétanque Union Bois le Duc, like any other sports association, also faces this challenge. Even though jeu de boules is a very accessible, social and relatively cheap sport, in that capacity it cannot compete with the commercial violence of, for example, football or basketball.

Socio-social purpose

P.U. Bois le Duc fulfills an important social purpose and fights against loneliness by increasing social cohesion and moving people through sport. In that capacity, the association therefore looks for logical collaborations with companies that aspire to the same social secondary goal. This is also the case with builder and project developer Van Wijnen, a traditionally Dutch company active in area development, project development, (social) housing, renovation/transformation and property management.

Connecting through sport

Van Wijnen's vision is that, with the renovation and sustainability projects it carries out, it also fulfills an important social function as a connector for local residents. By bringing them into contact with each other, the quality of life in the neighborhood is also improved on a social level. It is precisely here where P.U. Bois le Duc and Van Wijnen can strengthen each other and make a social impact. They do this by jointly organizing jeu de boules tournaments for residents of Bossche neighborhoods where Van Wijnen is renovating under the name “Boules with the neighbourhood”. In this way residents are brought together in a playful way, they get to know each other (better) and they are out of the building environment for a while.

With this intention, P.U. Bois le Duc and Van Wijnen signed a sponsorship agreement that commits them to this great goal until 2026.

Interested in sports?

If after reading this article you are interested in getting acquainted with the game/sport and P.U. Bois le Duc, feel free to drop by on one of the association's opening days. You can then meet without obligation and play a ball. More information: www.puboisleduc.nl.

October 15, 2022 - The first team of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc visited Jeu de Boules-club 't Dupke in Sint-Michielsgestel today and played the third round of the National Pétanque Competition 2022-2023. The players selected for this match day -, being: Antoon van Mil, Corrie van Mil - de Looijer, Edith Pol, Liesbeth van Ooijen - van Rooijen, Niek Buskop and Rini van Woerkum -, played over three rounds in doubles, triplet and doubles form. In the first round, the team managed to win only one of three doubles matches. It took revenge by winning both triplet matches in the second round and two out of three doubles matches in the final round. Final score: 5-3 for P.U. Bois le Duc 1.

Do you want to know where P.U. Bois le Duc 1 next time, click here. For the current standings, look here.

October 6, 2022 - Our Chairman, Antoon van Mil, is proud of his association but above all of the association members of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc. In the context of the week of compliments initiated by S-PORT, this is his appreciation for the way in which people treat each other within the association, but above all a ‘Chapeau!’ for the volunteers who provide small but often also structural hand and span services. Thank you to all for your tireless efforts! 🙂

(click on the image to watch the video).

Also on behalf of the Municipality of ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Marianne van der Sloot, Alderman for Work & Income, Social Structure, Sport & Heritage, says: thank you! You can see her video here.

October 2, 2022 - Following the previously played association championship doubles, the tête‑à‑tête championship took place today. As many as 20 brave members joined to play for the highest honour. Divided into two groups of 4 players and two groups of 6 players, all participants played 3 draw matches. The top 2 players from each group advanced to the quarter-finals. In Group A Ruud van Hintum and Felix Lange came out on top in the preliminaries, in Group B Niek Buskop and Marco Tijl, in Group C Corrie van Mil - de Looijer and Vera Beunk - Veeken and in Group D Dennis Pol and Harm Schilders.

In the quarter-finals it was ‘do or die’: with a win a player went through to the semi-finals, with a loss it was immediately over and done with. Ruud van Hintum (13-9), Corrie van Mil - de Looijer (13-11), Niek Buskop (13-9) and Dennis Pol (13-9) managed to win, at the expense of Marco Tijl, Harm Schilders, Felix Lange and Vera Beunk - Veeken.

Ruud van Hintum put Corrie van Mil - de Looijer aside (13-10) in the semi-finals, Dennis Pol did the same with Niek Buskop (13-7). The finalists were known and it just so happens that both gentlemen (Ruud and Dennis) have won the doubles championship together before.

The final was exciting but in the end Dennis Pol managed to win the match against Ruud van Hintum with 13-8, so that he can call himself tête-à-tête champion. In the honorable battle for 3^rd/4^th place, Corrie van Mil - de Looijer beat Niek Buskop (13-10).

Standing f.l.t.r.: Niek Buskop (4^th place) and Corrie van Mil - de Looijer (3^rd place).

Crouched f.l.t.r.: Ruud van Hintum (2^nd place) and Dennis Pol (1^st place).

Click here for the final standings and here for all photos of the tête-à- tête championship.

October 1, 2022 - Today, in the hall of Petanque-Vereniging Tilburg and in the 2^nd round of the National Pétanque Competition 2022-2023, P.U. Bois le Duc 1 had to compete against JdB‑association 't Veer 1 from Raamsdonksveer. In the first round of doubles, our team won 2 out of 3 matches. In the next round of triplets, 1 out of 2 matches was won. Also in the last round of doubles only 1 out of 3. Final score: a meager 4-4.

Do you want to know where P.U. Bois le Duc 1 next time, click here. For the current standings, look here.

September 25, 2022 - Pétanque Union Bois le Duc could not have had a better end to the summer season: with no fewer than 32 participants, the ‘Bossche bollen mix’ sponsored by Bakery Van Keulen was again a great success. Players came from far and wide to try their luck during this mixed tournament where they played each round with but also against other pétanque players. Everyone was allowed to participate regardless of age and/or playing experience, with or without a playing license. All participants played three mixed matches, but only the best eleven received Bossche bollen: the number eleven got two while the winner went home with eight.

It was striking that more and more participants are present during the ‘Bossche bollen mix’, which clearly shows that people are increasingly finding their way to our pétanque association in Den Bosch West. This also applies to the winner, who lives in Eindhoven, Ivan Palamarchuk (36). He came to the Netherlands from Ukraine about four months ago. In his home country he was president of the local pétanque association. His 12 years of playing experience did him no harm, so to speak, as he was the best of a total of five players who managed to win all three of their matches. With 3 wins and 29 points, Ivan convincingly won the mix tournament, closely followed by Marcel van Keulen from Hedel, who was just short with 28 points. Third place went to Arjan de Jongh from Tiel with 3 wins and 25 points. He in turn finished just ahead of Xander Steijns from Oisterwijk, who had the same result but eventually finished fourth based on the score of the first game.

F.l.t.r.: Arjan de Jongh (3^rd place), Ivan Palamarchuk (1^st place) and Marcel van Keulen (2^nd place).

In 2023, Pétanque Union Bois le Duc will again organise six ‘Bossche bollen mixes’, in addition to three official tournaments for licencees. Given the success of this year, the association only expects more and more participants, a good prospect.

September 23, 2022 - Today the Senior Sports Olympiad took place at Maliskamp sports park in Rosmalen. This event, set up by Sport Alliance Rosmalen, was organised in the context of the national sports week and aims to get seniors moving and to show the possibilities for this in the region. The event also contributes to combating loneliness, something that has become an even bigger problem in the Corona time.

The participants in the event could choose from eight different exercise activities from local sports providers. Pétanque Union Bois le Duc was one of these providers and in that capacity Hans van Woerkum (trainer), Theo van Wandelen (association member) and Antoon van Mil (Chairman) were present to provide a pétanque clinic.

The 20 participants in the clinic, divided into three groups, first received basic instructions on how to throw a boule. Then they were divided into teams to play a short game. Despite the god-impossible playground, namely a rock-hard forest path, which made playing a boule very complex, we can look back on a successful but above all very pleasant and sporty get-together.

The morning ended with a joint lunch so that everyone could go home with renewed energy. 😊

September 17, 2022 - The first team of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc has made a solid start with the National Pétanque Competition 2022-2023. This is a national competition in which the Top Division is the highest attainable, comprising the best eight associations in the country. However, P.U. Bois le Duc 1 starts in the 6^th division, the lowest class of the competition, because it is a brand new association and a place in a higher division must first be earned. The start to do this has been made because, after a 1-2 deficit, the team finally managed to win the full victory against Jeu de Boules association Altena from Sleeuwijk: 5-3. 😊

In the background f.l.t.r.: Rini van Woerkum, Theo van Wandelen, Hans van Woerkum and Antoon van Mil.

In the foreground f.l.t.r.: Edith Pol - Willemsen and Özlem Akdoğan.

Team members Corrie van Mil - de Looijer, Liesbeth van Ooijen - van Rooijen, Niek Buskop and Oly Sathia

did not play the first day of competition and are therefore missing from this photo.

P.U. Bois le Duc 1 is divided into a group with eight regional associations. Each association meets twice: once ‘at home’ and once ‘out’. So a full competition is played. The group winner is promoted to the upper division.

On each match day, each association places six to nine players who, in a varying composition, then play eight matches against each other. The first round of competition consists of three doubles, the second round of two triples and the third round again of three doubles. Each association therefore places six players per round of competitions.

On Saturday, October 1^st P.U. Bois le Duc 1 plays is its second game, this will be an ‘out’ game against Jeu de Boules association ‘t Veer from Raamsdonksveer. The match will be played in the hall of P.V.T. in Tilburg, because both associations do not (yet) have their own hall. Start of the first game: 12:00 PM.

Do you want to know where P.U. Bois le Duc 1 next time, click here. For the current standings, look here.

September 14, 2022 - Just 2,5 months after its official opening, Pétanque Union Bois le Duc has 75 members and the end of its growth is far from in sight. Training has been taking place for a number of weeks now, with each training evening having about 22 to 25 participants, which in itself is a very nice achievement.

It is equally nice that our brand new association, albeit at the last minute, is participating in the National Pétanque Competition 2022-2023. A very experienced team has been put together that, in the 6^th division, will defend the honor of our association. We would like to introduce the team to you. 😊

Coming Saturday, the team will play its first match in Ammerzoden against the team of JdB association Altena from Sleeuwijk. We wish the team every success!

For the entire playing schedule and additional information, click here.

September 10, 2022 - It was very painful that we had to cancel our very first official licence holders tournament due to flooding caused by heavy rain. On Friday evening, despite the heavy rainfall, the courts were still ‘OK’ but, after a long and very wet night, this morning it was a sea of ​​puddles. Only a few teams could play instead of the plotted 32 teams (we were full!). At about 11:30 AM, one and a half hours after the planned start of ‘Bossche doubles’, 90% of the courts were playable again, but then a small cloudburst came over about half past one and the conclusion was: it was a good thing that we canceled the tournament. Sometimes things go the way they go … 😐

Fortunately we were able to reach almost everyone in time but unfortunately some were already on their way (because of the distance). That is ‘the risk of the profession’, but our apologies nonetheless. We hope to welcome everyone at a next tournament! 😊

September 7, 2022 - As an association it is important to present yourself well. That is why we have taken a serious look at our promotional flyer. Here you can see the result of our diligent work. 😊 We welcome improvements so don't hesitate to respond! 👍

September 7, 2022 - To prevent the scoreboards from getting damaged or dirty, but also to prevent the swinging of the throwing circles, 'hanging hooks' have been made on all 16 scoreboards today. That looks a lot nicer that way! 😊

September 6, 2022 - And then, then it was finally dark! Time for the first 'Live' test of our LED lighting ... What an incredibly beautiful light. In fact, the light is so strong that the phone's camera with which these photos were taken struggled with it. 😛

September 5, 2022 - It was (eventually) worth the wait: today Ledsgoeco fitted the 10 meter high light pole with the correct lamp rack, after which the LED lamp was placed and adjusted by means of laser beams. We can't wait for it to get dark! 🙂

September 4, 2022 - Barely two months after the official opening, Pétanque Union Bois le Duc has a membership of more than 70 members. The end of the growth is not yet in sight and new members are signing up every week. Despite this rapid growth, only eight teams (read: sixteen players) took part in the association’s first doubles championship this Saturday. On the one hand, this is due to ‘the fear of the unknown’ - after all, it is a lot to play a competition as a brand new association member -, but on the other hand also because very experienced teams with years of playing experience were on the registration list. This has not affected the joy of playing and certainly not the level of play, so our association can therefore look back on a very successful tournament.

Divided into two groups, with four teams in each group, the doubles played four preliminary rounds (semi-competition). After the preliminary rounds, the semi-finals took place in which the two group winners competed for the highest honour (1^st/2^nd place), the numbers two of each group played for 3^rd/4^th place and so on.

After the initial draw, it appeared that in Group B the balance of power was somewhat further apart: despite the more than excellent game of their opponents, the brothers Hans and Rini van Woerkum achieved the cross finals sovereignly (13-5, 13-4, 13-3).

In Group A the balance of power was different: three of the four teams consisted of very experienced players, which led to varying results. For example, the double Niek Buskop/Antoon van Mil managed to beat the later winners of the championship with 13‑9 in their second match with excellent play, but in the third match they were surprisingly (but rightly!) defeated by Edith Pol (former member of the women's selection). NL) and Özlem Akdoğan (former Turkish champion). The double Ruud van Hintum/Dennis Pol did what it had to do after their defeat in the second match by winning the third match and ended up as group winner (13‑3, 9‑13, 13‑3).

Despite the strong preliminary rounds, the cross-final was relatively one-sided. Despite the more than friendly and sporty atmosphere, the Van Woerkum brothers unfortunately did not get started, which gave the doubles Van Hintum/Pol wings. Due to effective play, in which there was more than excellent play at times, Van Hintum/Pol finished in 1^st place and they can call themselves ‘Doubles champion 2022’. Their names will soon be the first to appear on the exchange trophy purchased for this purpose. The cross final for 3^rd place was won by the doubles Van Mil/Buskop, that won 13-7 against the doubles Theo van Wandelen/Oly Sathia, who became 4^th.

August 28, 2022 - A total of 24 participants from ‘s-Hertogenbosch and the surrounding area competed in the ‘Bossche bollenmix’ sponsored by Bakery Van Keulen, an independent open jeu de boules tournament that was organised on the courts of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc in ’s‑Hertogenbosch West. Everyone was allowed to participate regardless of age and/or playing experience, with or without a playing license.

Three mixed games were played and after the last match there were only two players with the full win. First place went to Theo van Wandelen with 3 wins and 14 points, earning no less than 8 Bossche bollen. Second place went to Elly Smit with 3 wins and 13 points. Hans van Woerkum became ‘Best of the rest’ with 2 wins and 14 points. Like the entire top 10, they also went home with Bossche bollen.

August 27, 2022 - Since the application of the gravel layer, it has already been on the agenda: removing the excess gravel on courts 6 to 16. Today Theo van Wandelen and Antoon van Mil have removed an estimated 10 wheelbarrows of gravel, so that the courts are now hard and fast what greatly benefits the game.

The gravel on courts 1 to 5 was also taken care of.

August 18, 2022 - Because the finishing of the LED lighting (read: the already installed 10 meter high mast) is still a long way off, makeshift emergency lighting has been installed today. This consists of an LED floodlight with which the first play area (lane 1 to 5) is sufficiently illuminated, so that playing can now continue until late in the evening.

August 8, 2022 - Previously, on Saturday, September 10^th coming, a triples tournament for licensees was planned. However, this tournament has been adapted to a DOUBLES tournament called ‘Bossche doubles’. Registration is now possible and can be done via On Tip or by email via wedstrijdzaken@puboisleduc.nl.

August 3, 2022 - Today the ‘P.U. Bois le Duc academy’ has started. Under the guidance of head trainer Rini van Woerkum and assistant trainer Hans van Woerkum, 20 enthusiastic association members performed a number of basic exercises. Following the training, a match followed in which the learned could be immediately put into practice.

July 19, 2022 - The European Championships Pétanque 2022: what an incredibly cool event! The best players in Europe in an atmosphere that is unparalleled. In short: it was 5 days of enjoying, enjoying and enjoying again! 😊

You want a souvenir from such an event, especially as a Bossche association. We can proudly say that we have succeeded: one of the large banners of the center court of the EC has been secured and has been given a nice place on our accommodation. Our Chairman is clearly happy with it as can be heard in this short movie … 🤣

Special thanks to the volunteers who, with a temperature of almost 40 degrees Celsius, helped to hang the more than 20 meters long tarpaulin. It was serious sweating.

July 13, 2022 - On the eve of the first day of the European Pétanque Championships 2022, the provincial final of ‘Brabantse Boules’, the social side event of the European Championships, took place on the Bossche Parade which was transformed into a jeu de boules Valhalla. Teams of three participants from Breda, Eindhoven, Helmond, Roosendaal, Tilburg and ‘s-Hertogenbosch took part in this final. By winning in their own neighbourhood and the city final, they had qualified for the apotheosis of ‘Brabantse Boules’, a recurring event that aims to combat loneliness among (especially) the elderly and to stimulate movement, all this by the low-threshold sport of jeu de boules. After 3 rounds and a cross final with Tilburg, the team of ‘s-Hertogenbosch pulled the longest straw and can call itself ‘Winner of Brabantse Boules 2022’.

Sports connects

“Tonight there are only winners on the courts,” begins Van Mil, Chairman of the recently opened Bossche sports association Pétanque Union Bois le Duc and co-organizer of ‘Brabantse Boules’. “By participating in the neighbourhood tournaments, the participants actively contributed to social cohesion, by involving their neighbours and creating a group feeling.” The fact that sport connects is also clearly evident from the results of the survey that was held among the participants in the neighbourhood tournaments. During his opening speech, Michel Reinders, Managing Director of BrabantSport, also refers to this: “A large part of the participants felt significantly less lonely because of and during the neighbourhood tournaments. A large percentage are also considering joining an association in their area.”

Pétanque is a real sport

Pétanque, as the game is officially called, is not only a game but also a real competition sport and is growing strongly in the Netherlands. Due to the rise of boules & bites bars in the big cities, where wining & dining is combined with the game, more and more young adults are also finding their way to the infectious and extremely accessible game. “Game is not the right word,” continues Van Mil, “Pétanque is a sport and, like any other sport, it is played recreationally but also competitively.” As a brand new association affiliated with the Dutch Pétanque Association (NJBB), Pétanque Union Bois le Duc wants to offer the sport/game to everyone. “We combine games and sports, but also sports and games. Just like with tennis, for example, it is the recreational players who form the basis for the competition players.”

Ambitions

Ruud van Hintum, winning finalist on behalf of Team 's-Hertogenbosch, but also Treasurer of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc Bois le Duc, explains: “In just under three weeks we already have a large membership base and the number of members is steadily increasing. We expect to have 75‑100 members by the end of August.” The potential for the association, located in 's‑Hertogenbosch West, is great. “It is precisely by establishing ourselves in De Schutskamp that we are bringing the sport where it belongs, namely among the people.” Jeu de boules is relatively cheap, only a set of boules is enough to participate, something that makes the sport very accessible. Given the large and rapidly growing membership, there is already a need for indoor accommodation, something that is at the top of the wish list of the brand new association. There is no lack of ambition among the Bossche boulers.

July 12, 2022 - Tonight is the night: the provincial final of 'Brabantse Boules', the social side-event of the EC Pétanque 2022.

In the 3 preliminary rounds, each municipality plays against another municipality, in a varying team formation. The game is played on time so a team can win, lose or draw.

After the preliminary rounds, cross-finals take place to arrive at a final ranking and thus the 'ultimate winner' of 'Brabantse Boules'. The teams may (themselves) draft their best players for the cross-finals, but of course the entire team wins/loses.

Click here or on the picture for the schedule of the preliminaries.

The provincial final starts at 07:00 PM on the European Championship site on the Bossche Parade. Come see it! 🙂

July 12, 2022 - We are ready for some PR on the Bossche Parade during the EC Pétanque 2022. 😉.

July 7, 2022 - Under the watchful eye of ‘Our Lord’ himself, tonight -, after an official opening by Mayor Jack Mikkers -, the Bossche city final of ‘Brabantse Boules’ was played in the garden of Sint Jans Cathedral. The 16 neighbourhood tournaments winners of respectively Engelen, 's‑Hertogenbosch West, ‘s‑Hertogenbosch South and Rosmalen battled over 3 rounds for the highest honor on behalf of the city. Each neigbourhood played once against the other neighbourhoods, each time with a different team composition. After a long evening full of sporty fun and a healthy competition tension, the 3 finalists for the provincial final of ‘Brabantse Boules’ were announced, namely:

The 16 neighbourhood tournaments winners of ’s‑Hertogenbosch flanked by the employees/volunteers of S-PORT, More2Win and Pétanque Union Bois le Duc in front of the side entrance of Sint-Jans Cathedrale. Picture: Gerard Monté.

On the front, f.l.t.r.: Linda Peeters (S-PORT), Annie Liebrand (winner ‘Brabantse Boules’ - ’s-Hertogenbosch) and Evy Pappot (S‑PORT). In the background, f.l.t.r.: Rik Jansen (More2Win), Antoon van Mil (P.U. Bois le Duc), Jan van Alebeek (3^rd), Ruud van Hintum (2^nd) and Jan van Bergen (1^st reserve). Picture: Gerard Monté.

On behalf of ‘s-Hertogenbosch, these 3 players will participate in the provincial final on Tuesday evening, July 12^th 2022, against the finalists of the other participating cities of Brabant (read: Breda, Eindhoven, Helmond, Roosendaal and Tilburg). The provincial final starts at 7:00 PM and will be played on the courts of the European Championship Pétanque 2022 on the Bossche Parade. Admission is free so come cheer on our city winners! 😊

July 6, 2022 - It took a while due to long delivery times, but today the light pole with LED lighting is finally placed. The light pole proudly protrudes above the clubhouse of s.v. C.H.C., now it is waiting for the finishing of the electricity and setting the lamps. The aim is to have the lighting operational with 2 weeks, especially now that the evenings are getting shorter again.

July 5, 2022 - The coming weeks will be full of jeu de boules activities in light of the European Pétanque Championships 2022, which is why we are temporarily changing opening hours to give everyone the opportunity to enjoy top-level pétanque! 😊

July 4, 2022 - Today our Chairman (Antoon van Mil) was a guest by telephone in the afternoon/evening program ‘Afslag Zuid’, presented by Ronny Balk. Click here or on the logo of Omroep Brabant to listen to the interview.

July 3, 2022 - Following the official opening that took place the day before, the ‘Opening Mix’ was organised today for association members and interested parties. The 31 participants, from the municipality of 's‑Hertogenbosch but also from beyond, played 3 rounds à la mêlée (read: different fellow players and opponents in each round). While enjoying snacks sponsored by Jumbo Van Bergen, there was a fanatic but very friendly battle for the highest honour. In addition to the honour, there were also prizes sponsored by Stedenkado.nl for the best 8 participants.

Hermie van Ommeren ultimately came out on top with 3 won games and 32 points. The 2^nd place went to General Board member Harm Schilders: he also won all three games but with 28 points. Niek Buskop, member of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc, is the last of the top 3 with 3 wins and 24 points.

F.l.t.r.: Oly Sathia (4^th), Niek Buskop (3^rd), Vera Beuk - Veeken (7^th), Peter Ondersteijn (5^th), Hermie van Ommeren (1^st),

Paul Beunk (8^th), Cecille van Ooijen - van Rooijen (6^th) and Harm Schilders (2^nd).

July 2, 2022 - After two years of intensive preparation and implementation, today was the day: the official opening of the sixteen jeu de boules courts of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc, located at De Fuik 10 in ‘s-Hertogenbosch West.

Under the watchful eye of invited guests from the business community (including 'Founding Sponsor' Heesen Yachts) and the Bossche sports scene, Roy Geers (Alderman Municipality of 's‑Hertogenbosch), Mariëlle van Houtum (Project Leader S-PORT), Sjo-Heu Lain (Chairman s.v. C.H.C.) and Antoon van Mil (Chairman P.U. Bois le Duc), performed the official opening act. This consisted of throwing a king-size jeu de boules ball that was previously also used for the kick‑off of the European Championships Pétanque 2022, which will be held from July 13^th to July 17^th on the Bossche Parade. All this while enjoying a chilled glass of Cava with which those present also drank some courage for a few friendly games of jeu de boules.

F.l.t.r.: Sjo-Heu Lain, Roy Geers, Mariëlle van Houtum and Antoon van Mil.

Jeu de boules is 'hip and happening' in 's-Hertogenbosch, something that became clear during the four opening speeches. Many young people and groups of friends adopt the cheap and very accessible game, especially in these economically less favorable times. Finally, a set of boules and a gravel surface are enough to practice the game. In addition to being a game, jeu de boules is also a real competition sport with official federation tournaments and competitions. In short, something for everyone.

Are you interested in the game/sport jeu de boules? Just drop in on one of the regular opening days of our association.

July 1, 2022 - The last neigbourhood tournament of ‘Brabantse Boules’ in 's-Hertogenbosch was held today. Just like in the other 3 neigbourhoods, there have been many new, fun and above all casual contacts in Rosmalen in the past 4 weeks, whereby new friendships have been made. All this in light of our beloved jeu de boules sport. It is precisely the small scale of the neighbourhood tournaments that contributes to their social success! 😊

Time to officially announce the final finalists … these are:

June 30, 2022 - Not only the 1^st neighbourhood tournament in 's-Hertogenbosch West fell into the water, but also the 4^th edition, again due to extreme rainfall. The finalists for this neigbourhood were therefore determined on the basis of the results of the other two days. This resulted in the following final score:

June 30, 2022 - Next Saturday is the big opening of our brand new 16 jeu de boules courts accommodation in 's-Hertogenbosch. Thanks in part to the decisive support from Heesen Yachts, we have been able to make our dreams come true. 🥳

In the run-up to the opening, the finishing touch was done yesterday by Charel van den Oord, owner of Crayon.nl. In addition to the sponsor signs of Heesen Yachts and Claeren, the association logo has also been applied.

June 29, 2022 - Also for the location ’s-Hertogenbosch South ‘Brabantse Boules’ is over as far as the neighbourhood tournaments are concerned. Today the 4^th and last neighbourhood tournament took place and the final standings could be drawn up. The following persons will participate on Thursday evening July 7^th 2022 on behalf of ’s-Hertogenbosch South in the urban final that will take place in the garden of the Sint‑Jans Cathedral (start of the 1st final match: 7:00 PM). Supporters are most welcome! 😊

Standing f.l.t.r.: Tijs Verbruggen, Frans Baert, Henk Hermes and Theo van Wandelen.

Squating in the foreground f.l.t.r.: Annie Liebrand and Karlijn Coppens (S-PORT).

June 28, 2022 - Today the 4^th and last neighbourhood tournament in Engelen (Oberon square) took place. The following persons may play on behalf of this neighbourhoud on Thursday evening July 7^th 2022 during the urban final of 'Brabantse Boules' that will take place in the garden of the Sint‑Jans Cathedral (start of the 1^st final match: 7:00 PM). Everyone is welcome so come and see these champs! 😊

Standing f.l.t.r.: Ilvie van Schijndel (S-PORT), Jan van Bergen en André Dirks.

Squating in the foreground f.l.t.r.: Theo van Wandelen and Ad de Rouw.

June 26, 2022 - Today it was very busy on and around the accommodation of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc. While the 1^st edition of the ‘Bossche bollen mix’ sponsored by Bakery Van Keulen was taking place on the still drenched jeu de boules courts, the canteen of soccer association s.v. C.H.C. accommodated various choirs and also a frisbee tournament was held on the soccer fields. The large crowds and the cacophony of sounds did not bother the jeu de boulers at all, just like the wet and therefore somewhat difficult courts. With great pleasure and above all extreme concentration, the participants completed their 3 games in which they had other fellow players as opponents in each match.

The participants in the ‘Bossche bollenmix’ with Oly Sathia (yellow polo shirt) in the middle.

Oly Sathia came out as the winner, with 3 games won and no less than 25 points. He was the only one to win all 3 games.

Click here for the full final rankings and here for all pictures of the ‘Bossche bollen mix’.

June 12, 2022 - A very nice time with lots of sun but above all jeu de boules lies ahead of us. 🥳

Neigbourhood tournament 'Brabant Boules'

On Tuesday evening, June 14^th ‘Brabantse Boules’ visits our accommodation and we are 100% ready! 😃 After the more than extreme waterfall of last weekend, the courts have recovered perfectly.

For ‘Brabantse Boules’ applies: present between 06:30 - 06:45 PM, we start at 7:00 PM. Anyone, with or without boules, member or not, can participate. We have enough boules to borrow.

You can still register for the other locations and playing dates via www.brabantseboules.nl.

Bossche bollen mix

Put it in your agenda because this is the opportunity to get acquainted with our association and the accommodation. On Sunday, June 26^th the ‘Bossche bollen mix’, sponsored by Bakery Van Keulen, will take place. Present between 10:30 - 11:00 AM. Start 11:00 AM.

Here too everyone can participate, with or without boules, member or no member. We have enough boules to borrow.

Go to our ‘Events’ page for the poster of the 'Bossche Bollenmix'.

Regular opening

On Wednesday afternoon, June 15^th, we will have our first Wednesday afternoon opening (1:00 - 5:00 PM). The following Thursday we will play 3 rounds à la mêlée for the first time, these mixed matches count for the individual club championship. Present between 7:00 - 7:30 PM. We start at 7:30 PM with the first round. During the weekend we are open on Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 1:00 - 5:00 PM (note: we are not open on Sunday, June 12^th).

The following applies to all regular opening days: aspiring members and members are most welcome! Interested parties are of course occasionaly welcome to come and play along.

Please visit our ‘Accommodation’ page for all regular opening hours.

June 11, 2022 - It was a hell of a job but, after a long day and liters of moisture (loss), the extra drainage of the large playing box has been connected. There are four 7 cm. diameter pipes from the large playing box (11 jeu de boules courts) to the lower forestage further on. This means that excessive rainfall, such as on Whit Monday 2022, will be removed extremely effectively from now on.

June 9, 2022 - Today it was finally time, the 1^st Bossche neighbourhood tournament of ‘Brabantse Boules’ has been played! 😊 At the location in ’s‑Hertogenbosch South (Zuiderparkweg 282), 20 participants made their appearance to enter a sporting battle with each other.

On our website you will find the photos and results of this neighbourhood tournament and those of the upcoming neighbourhood tournaments in the other districts (read: ’s‑Hertogenbosch West, Engelen and Rosmalen). Go to the 'Pictures' subpage for all the visual material and to 'Results' for the intermediate and final scores ‘Brabant Boules’.

You can still register for the other days of 'Brabantse Boules', go to www.brabantseboules.nl.

You can register for one location but for several days.

June 8, 2022 - Around 1:00 PM there were already large puddles on the Oberon square in Engelen and that with the peaks of rainfall later this afternoon/early evening still in prospect. For those reasons, the NEIGHBOURHOOD TOURNAMENT IN ENGELEN HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

Next week (read: Thursday, June 16^th) there is the next opportunity to play in Engelen (Oberon square): register for it (just like for the other 2 neighbourhood tournaments there) via the website of ‘Brabantse Boules’.

Tomorrow (Thursday, June 9^th) we will continue with ‘Brabantse Boules’, then we will (hopefully!?) play for the first time in ’s‑Hertogenbosch South (Zuiderparkweg 282). Keep an eye on our news site and Facebook page (should it be otherwise).

You can still register for the other days of 'Brabantse Boules', go to www.brabantseboules.nl.

You can register for one location but for several days.

June 7, 2022 - It has hardly been dry since the 16 jeu de boules courts were completed at the end of May. For a while we therefore doubted whether to leave the gravel behind for a while to let the top layer rest/harden. But, with a view to ‘Brabantse Boules’ and strengthened by a few days of good weather, it was decided to apply the gravel after all.

Last Saturday we had a brilliant opening day and the jeu de boules courts were perfectly playable. But then, then Pentecost came and the heavens were opened. It would be the second wettest Pentecost day ever with 40 - 60 mm. rain in 's-Hertogenbosch. No (brand new) jeu de boules court can cope with that.

Today it has been concluded that the jeu de boules courts are unplayable. Underneath the gravel is a kind of muddy whole and we have to prevent the gravel layer from mixing with the gralux. If that happens, the end is lost. The court needs rest and above all, a lot of sun.

It has therefore been decided that until Monday, June 14^th there will be NO activities at the accommodation of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc.

More information will follow next Sunday, also via this news page.

June 7, 2022 - Unfortunately, the first game evening of ‘Brabantse Boules’ in ‘s‑Hertogenbosch West (read: Tuesday, June 7^th) is CANCELLED! There has simply been too much rain (> 10 cm) in recent days, which makes the top layer of the jeu de boules courts appear somewhat liquid. To prevent damage, it has therefore been decided to cancel the first neighbourhood tournament.

Next week (read: Tuesday, June 14^th) there is the next opportunity to play in ‘s‑Hertogenbosch West: register for it (just like for the other 2 neighbourhood tournaments there) via the website of ‘Brabantse Boules’.

Tomorrow (Wednesday, June 8^th) we will continue with ‘Brabantse Boules’, then we will (hopefully!?) play for the first time in Engelen (Oberon Square). Keep an eye on our news site and Facebook page (should it be otherwise).

You can still register for the other days of 'Brabantse Boules', go to www.brabantseboules.nl.

You can register for one location but for several days.

June 4, 2022 - The first opening day of the 16 pétanque courts of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc was very busy. On the rustic but right next to the club building of soccer association s.v. C.H.C. situated courts about 50 to 60 people played a game of jeu de boules. “It's great to see that there is so much enthusiasm for our association,” Chairman Antoon van Mil states proudly. Despite the summer holidays, many older people leave before or after the high season, there is a good turnout. What is striking is that the youngest participant is 11 years old and the oldest well over 80. “There is also a former Turkish female champion on our courts,” explains Van Mil. “This lady (26) recently came to the Netherlands and in many ways she is a good match with our association in terms of background.” Van Mil is referring to the multicultural composition of De Schutskamp and De Kruiskamp within which the accommodation is located. “She also has a certain level of play, but also a way of playing that shows that the game is also a real sport.”

June 1, 2022 - Today the proverbial ‘icing on the cake’ has been placed. The big-bags with Dutch crushed stone 2-6 mm., sponsored by VL Raw Materials, have been delivered. Later that afternoon Chairman Antoon van Mil has sort of blessed the jeu de boules courts by scattering a first handful of gravel.

In the evening the real work began when the 7-strong ‘gravel crew’ arrived. In no time (about 2 hours) the gravel was distributed and spread. Secretary Corrie van Mil - de Looijer provided the coffee and was later able to join, as being the 8^th player, in the very first jeu de boules games at our brand new location. 😊

May, 31 2022 - …

We are open!

From Saturday, June 4^th 2022 - 1:00 PM, Pétanque Union Bois le Duc will be open! You can then play on set times on our 16 jeu de boules courts at 10 De Fuik in 's Hertogenbosch. Check the 'Accommodation' page for all our opening hours.

Official & unofficial opening

The official opening of the accommodation will take place on Saturday, July 2^th 2022.

On Sunday, July 3^th 2022, the unofficial opening will take place in the form of an à la mêlée tournament (3 rounds). Association members and interested parties may participate in this. Participation is free and there are enough boules available if you don't have your own (yet). Click here for the flyer.

May 30, 2022 - Next Wednesday the gravel will go on the jeu de boules courts. We will store the remainder in a pallet box sponsored by Engels Logistics. Thanks again Engels Logistics! 😊

May 28, 2022 - Our scoreboards, which are made of 8 mm. thick trespa, are still in production, but the knobs for this made by DKH Metalworking from Uden are ready. What a truly beautiful product from Dutch soil! 😊

The plastic knobs are secured by aluminum pins that pass through the scoreboard (open slot). This idea came from Antoon van Mil (Chairman) who was inspired by the toys you often see in the waiting rooms of dentists and doctors.

May 28, 2022 - You imagined yourself being on a campsite instead of on a jeu de boules court. Two men, busy with rope and pegs, but no tent in sight. Today, Harm Schilders (General Board Member) and Antoon van Mil (Chairman) applied the lines of our 16 jeu de boules courts.

May 27, 2022 - Together with his mother and also Secretary of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc, Corrie van Mil - de Looijer, our Chariman (Antoon van Mil) prepared the invitations addressed to the future association members.

The invitations and all appendices ‑, all together about 1,250 sheets of paper -, were provided by:

Wellseindsestraat 9 | 5325 KH Wellseind (Gld.) | The Netherlands

T: +31 (0)418 - 552 404 | E: kc@vosseling.nl | I: www.vosseling.nl

May 20, 2022 - On the road to completion … 🙂 For example, rolling still has to be done in the larger of the two play boxes.

May 18, 2022 - Just after the opening of our accommodation we have a well filled events calendar. For example, 3 mix tournaments are planned under the name ‘Bossche Bollen mix’. You guessed it: the prices of these tournaments are delicious chocolate balls. Today, the sponsorship of this has been officially completed and we are proud to announce that Bakery Van Keulen, amongst others located in the Helftheuvel Shopping Mall, will take care of the prices.

May 18, 2022 - Another day further with the construction of our 16 jeu de boules courts and the work is progressing steadily: fantastic! The opening is on the horizon (as planned). 🙂

May 17, 2022 - We're making great progress! Today, the smaller of the two playing areas was finished with a rolled-on layer of gralux 0/10. Also, a part of the sidewalk has been laid.

And, we're lucky! At least, that's what we can conclude from the shards that a fallen photo frame resulted in. Due to the vibration of the vibrating plate an old team photo with one of the board members (Davy Meulenberg) fell from the wall of the clubhouse of s.v. C.H.C.

Fortunately, a spare glass was easily arranged and the photo frame could be restored quickly.🙂

May 16, 2022 - Despite the damp weather, good progress has been made today. The contours of the 16 boules courts are now clearly visible. 🙂

Also, the posts for the scoreboards, sponsored by KARWEI Den Bosch-West, have been drilled and brought on-site.

May 14, 2022 - For the first time ever the flag of the Dutch Pétanque Association (NJBB) waves above the jeu de boules courts of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc! 🙂

F.l.t.r.: Antoon van Mil (Chairman), Ruud van Hintum (Treasurer),

Corrie van Mil ‑ de Looijer (Secretary) en Harm Schilders (General Board Member).

May 13, 2022 - Progress is being made by the day in ’s‑Hertogenbosch! 😊

May 12, 2022 - Today we again thank 2 companies that selflessly sponsor our company by means of materials. Simply fantastic! 😊

May 12, 2022 - Today the major work has begun, excavating the site. Truck after truck of soil was removed and during the digging a cobblestone path hidden under the grass emerged. Luckily nothing a shovel can't handle! 😊

May 11, 2022 - As a good board, you sometimes have to review decisions that have been made. Today ‑, after a visit to a gravel trade in Waalwijk by Harm Schilders (General Board Member) and Antoon van Mil (Chairman) ‑, the earlier decision regarding the top/playing layer to be used was withdrawn.

In good consultation with Ruud van Hintum (Treasurer) it was decided to use Dutch Stone chips 2‑6 mm. to be applied to all 16 jeu de boules courts instead of Japanese split 5‑8 mm. On courts 11 to 16, a coarser grain (8‑11 mm.) is sprinkled over the top layer to make the game (even) more challenging.

Dutch Stone chips 2-6 mm. (photographed in full sunlight).

May 11, 2022 - The first ‘real work’ has begun: the grass has been cut to make it easier to excavate the soil. The grass was taken apart in no-time and with the necessary dust. Once again the technology stands for nothing! 😊

May 7, 2022 - Today the first shovel went into the ground. Although not to actually shovel soil, but to remove the vowels for the first mechanical shovel of soil. After all, that goes a bit faster. 😉 Watched by some enthusiastic preliminary members, under the direction of our Chairman, the power cabling for the LED lighting was laid. In addition, the entire cable route outside is provided with an empty casing (7 cm diameter) for later facilities further down the site.

Together with a number of members of s.v. C.H.C. the inner route has also been laid up to the meter cupboard, yet a sloppy 50 meters over a sweltering attic.

The end of the beginning …

Earthmoving & Transport Company Mark van den Boogaard from Sint-Michielsgestel has already set out the picket posts for the 16 jeu de boules courts and the street work: the company expects to be able to start earlier, which is great of course! 😊

Mark van den Boogaard (r) drives the picket posts into the ground.

In the background the main soccer field of s.v. C.H.C.

To get an idea of the work, you will find an extensive photo report here. A short video was also made to give an impression of the atmosphere.

May 7, 2022 - Free food always tastes better! This also applies to the mini snacks from Jumbo Van Bergen on the Helftheuvel Shopping Mall. Owner Hans van Bergen, completely selflessly, provides snacks for both opening tournaments. That's going to be fun! Not ‘Hello’ but ‘Thank you Jumbo’ in this case. 😉

The opening tournaments are definitively scheduled for the weekend of Saturday July 2^nd and Sunday July 3^rd. Of course a separate invitation will be sent:

Saturday, July 2^nd 2022 - ‘Opening tournament’ (invitees)

Sunday, July 3^rd 2022 - ‘Opening mix’ (association members & interested)

May 6, 2022 - The first step has been made: the Municipality of 's-Hertogenbosch has driven the picket posts into the ground with which the property boundaries have been set. Tomorrow we will get started with the cabling, later this month the 16 jeu de boules courts will be built! 😊

May 6, 2022 - With the addition of the truly beautiful jeu de boules location of Guild St. Joris - St. Catharina in Rosmalen and the 5 jeu de boules courts of the former location of The Community House De Meent (De Roos, Zuiderparkweg 282), the organisation of ‘Brabantse Boules’ for the Municipality of 's Hertogenbosch is complete. The locations are final and you can register from now on! 😊

So go to www.brabantseboules.nl and register yourself! Even more important: register your neighbour who threatens to sink into loneliness. That is the primary goal of ‘Brabantse Boules’: to combat loneliness and to stimulate new friendships.

If you would like more information about the event, please contact Antoon van Mil via voorzitter@puboisleduc.nl of +31613531310.

May 5, 2022 - Real entrepreneurs, no matter how big or small, do not distinguish themselves by the degree of sponsorship, but by the way in which they do this and above all the thought with which. For example, today both Karwei Construction Market Den Bosch West and Key Specialist & Shoe Repairer Stef Streur have contributed their proverbial ‘stone’ to the realisation/furnishing of our accommodation through practical yet equally important sponsorship.

Karwei Construction Market Den Bosch West sponsors the small materials needed for the installation of the power cable (e.g.: PVC pipes, clips, tie wraps, but also posts to mark the excavation work). Key Specialist & Shoe Repairer Stef Streur in his turn sponsors 4 cabinet keys for an old filing cabinet that we will use for storage of various materials.

Karwei Construction Market Den Bosch West (Marcel) and Stef Streur, many thanks! 😉

April 30, 2022 - “He who does not honor the small, does not honor the great” certainly applies to this modest but very practical sponsorship.

The Bruna shop on the Helftheuvel Shopping Mall sponsors no fewer than 192 pin/clip badges and a pack of thicker paper so that we can identify the teams/players in relation to each other during (mix) tournaments.

Bruna (Marcel Leermakers), thank you! 😉

April 28, 2022 - It was a tough decision for the daily board of our association. One that could not be made in a split second, because there were 4 suitable types of split on the table. 😉

But after splitting it into a pile of 'suitable' and 'not to less suitable', followed by a real impact test with a boule, it was unanimously decided to use Japanese split on our new jeu de boules courts.

The chosen gravel grain size is 5-8 mm. and will be mixed with a coarser variant on some courses for increased game complexity.

April 26, 2022 - Engels Logistics, among others based in Eindhoven, proves that service knows no boundaries. The company recently sponsored containers for a second time, this time for the boules that our association will use for the neighbourhood tournaments of ‘Brabantse Boules’ coming June (see news article on April 22). These boxes turned out to be much more convenient, precisely because of their simplicity, than the previously sponsored but otherwise very beautiful plastic containers from their E line series. After a somewhat cheeky request from our Chairman ‑, which has something to do with ‘don't look a gift horse in the mouth’ ‑, whether it would be possible to exchange the containers for the more simple ones, Engels Logistics nevertheless agreed. To top it off, the company even supplies 2 extra trollies, making it more easy to transport the boules and making back problems a thing of the past. Now that really is Service with a capital ‘S’! 😊

More information: www.engels.eu and www.brabantseboules.nl.

April 25, 2022 - In principle, it was a formality, but nevertheless still very exciting: obtaining the approval of the long lease and the suretyship of the College of Mayor & Aldermen of the Municipality of ‘s-Hertogenbosch. Today the expected ‘Go’ came: the municipality is officially joining our plans! There is therefore nothing to prevent us from starting the construction of the 16 jeu de boules courts at the end of May. 😊

April 22, 2022 - Today a number of directors and sponsors of the Dutch F.C. Den Bosch and the Belgian K.V. Oostende met each other during a sporty clash on the jeu de boules courts of Gilde St. Catharina - St. Joris in Rosmalen, as part of their yearly exchange program. After a hearty lunch in the inner city of ‘s-Hertogenbosch, the 'battle of the lower countries' was fought in which the Belgians had the upper hand. The game supervision of the whole was in the hands of our Chairman (Antoon van Mil) and our Secretary (Corrie van Mil - de Looijer).

The winner was Thorsten Theys, COO of K.V. Oostende. He showed why his soccer association has been in the Belgian top for years by gloriously winning 2 matches with 16 plus points.

That sportsmanship knows no boundaries was shown by host Sam Waale of F.C. Den Bosch: he convincingly finished in last place with 0 win and a balance of -23 points.

The return match has already been discussed and that gives F.C. Den Bosch time to come and train on the 16 jeu de boules courts of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc that will be constructed at the end of May on the grounds of soccer association s.v. C.H.C.

April 22, 2022 - Especially for ‘Brabantse Boules’, the internationally operating Engels Logistics from Eindhoven selflessly sponsored 8 industrial plastic containers from their E‑line series. This is to properly store the 60 sets of jeu de boules previously delivered by Engelhart from Tilburg for transport between the various locations of ‘Brabantse Boules’.

Just like Pétanque Union Bois le Duc, Engels Logistics stands for sustainability, which is precisely why we chose the E-line series: a sustainably produced and above all solid product that lasts a long time.

Engels Logistic, again: thank you! 😊

More information: www.engels.eu and www.brabantseboules.nl.

April 17, 2022 - Registration open! In the run-up to the European Petanque Championships (July 13^th to July 17^th), the ‘Brabantse Boules’ program will take place in 6 major Brabant cities. These cities are: ’s‑Hertogenbosch, Breda, Eindhoven, Helmond, Roosendaal en Tilburg.

In the fight against loneliness and to strengthen social cohesion in the neighbourhood, jeu de boules neighbourhood tournaments are organised in May/June/July in which EVERYONE can participate for free.

Visit www.brabantseboules.nl for more information and to register!

Impression of the 1^st neighbourhood tournament of ‘Bossche Boules’ in 2021.

April 14, 2022 - By publishing the poster of the upcoming European Pétanque Championships on the Bossche Parade (July 13^th to July 17^th) in the sports canteen shared by both associations, board members Davy Meulenberg (s.v. C.H.C.) and Harm Schilders (Pétanque Union Bois le Duc) a symbolically started the collaboration between the two.

Davy Meulenberg (l) and Harm Schilders (r).

One location, more experience

“It is a great step for the sports experience in Den Bosch,” begins Meulenberg his speech. “We often see older members or members with injuries drop out and by offering another very accessible sport we can still keep these people involved in the association.”

Collaborating with other associations is nothing new for the Bossche soccer association. There is darts, billiards, frisbee and singing in and around the canteen of the sports club. The football school of ex-pro football player Anouar Hadouir and his brother Fatah also has its home base there.

Jeu de boules = hip & happening

“Jeu de boules is hip and happening,” adds Schilders. “We see more and more young people playing boules, which is also manifested in the many boules bars that appear.”

Pétanque, as the accessible game/sport is officially called, lives in 's-Hertogenbosch and the potential is enormous. Where many people know it as a camping game, jeu de boules is a real competition sport with its own sports association affiliated with the NOC*NSF.

“This year the Dutch Pétanque Association exists 50 years, one of the reasons why the European Championship 2022 is coming to our city,” says Schilders. “In every major Dutch city there is a jeu de boules sports club that, as with any other sport, facilitates both recreational and competitive players. Now also in Den Bosch!”

The shovel goes into the ground (just in time)

After 2 years of intensive preparation and fundraising, the time has finally come. At the beginning of May, the first ground work will take place and, in the penultimate week of May, the 16 jeu de boules courts will be constructed. “Our goal is to play on the site from June 1st,” Schilders says. Around that time, P.U. Bois le Duc will invite its more than 100 pre-registered tenner members to become a full member, so that the proverbial 'ball' will really start rolling!

With the construction at the end of May, the association is also ready just in time for 'Brabantse Boules': the social jeu de boules neighbourhood tournaments that take place in June. Spread over 4 neighbourhoods and in 4 consecutive weeks, a total of 16 neighbourhood tournaments are organised with the primary aim of combating loneliness among (especially) the elderly and offering people an opportunity to make new friends.

April 10, 2022 - A first modest success for our association in the sporting field! With our accommodation still under construction, one of our first official members achieved a good result today at the international sextet tournament of Va-Tout in Breda. Ruud van Hintum (36) -, member but also treasurer of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc -, finished in second place with his team. Only a Belgian-Dutch team kept Ruud and his teammates from first place. Nevertheless, a nice boost for the Bossche jeu de boules, which is strongly on the rise. 😊

April 8, 2022 - It is still written in pencil, but the construction of our 16 jeu de boules courts is planned in the week of May 23^rd to May 27^th. On Saturday May 7^th the first preparatory excavation work takes place. It's really going off now! 😊

April 4, 2022 - We are proud to present our new sponsor: Huijbregts Notaries & Advisors from 's‑Hertogenbosch. They also support our social and sporting plans and support us selflessly. Thanks for that and above all: welcome aboard! 🙏

Januari 22, 2022 - Also in 2022 pétanque neighbourhood tournaments will be organised in 's‑Hertogenbosch. 'Brabantse Boules', - as the event is now called because it takes place in several Brabant cities -, is on the agenda for 's-Hertogenbosch for June. Spread over 4 neighbourhoods (respectively: 's-Hertogenbosch West, 's-Hertogenbosch South, Rosmalen and Engelen) a total of 16 neighbourhood tournaments are organised, so one per week in each neighbourhood.

The aim of these neighbourhood tournaments is to reduce loneliness among (especially) the elderly and to offer people the opportunity to get to know other people by playing the low-threshold game of pétanque and thus forge new friendships.

In 's-Hertogenbosch, our Chairman (Antoon van Mil) is the driving force behind the neighbourhood tournaments, 4 of which will be played at our new accommodation.

However, to facilitate these neighbourhood tournaments, boules are of course needed for people who do not have boules themselves. After a pleasant contact with the Tilburg company Engelhart Handelsonderneming B.V. this was arranged. The company offered a huge discount on the no less than 60 sets of boules needed for this great social event and as 'icing on the cake' a large bag of jacks (target balls) came with the shipment. 😊

March 9, 2022 - Great news! Today the board of our association received a positive message from Stichting Waarborgfonds Sport (SWS): the application submitted by the board has been approved. SWS has issued a 50% guarantee accompanied by a positive advice to the Municipality of 's‑Hertogenbosch. Since our association starts 'from scratch' - after all, there are no long-term historical figures/results -, the Municipality of 's‑Hertogenbosch has to take on the guarantee for the remaining 50%.

In addition to the suretyship, a leasehold statement must also be issued by the Municipal Executive of the Municipality of 's‑Hertogenbosch. At an early stage, the municipality has already indicated the cooperation between soccer association s.v. C.H.C. and Pétanque Union Bois le Duc, stating, albeit unofficially, that the intended plot of land on the grounds of the soccer club could be used for boules accommodation. However, a formal leasehold statement can only be issued if there is full suretyship.

Both the application with regard to the 50% guarantee and the application for the leasehold statement are currently being processed by the Municipality of 's‑Hertogenbosch and are in principle formalities. Once both applications have been granted, Pétanque Union Bois le Duc can take out a bank loan, and then instruct the selected contractors to put the proverbial shovel in the ground! 😊

Our goal is to, at the latest, officially open our accommodation one week before the European Pétanque Championships 2022 at the Bossche Parade. The EC2022 will inspire people to start playing pétanque and we will of course welcome them (as potential new members)!

February 1, 2022 - The collaboration between Heesen Yachts and Pétanque Union Bois le Duc started with a sporty wink on LinkedIn. In response to the reporting of the 'maiden voyage' of the new superyacht 'MY Galactica' from the shipyard in Oss to the North Sea, Antoon van Mil (Chairman of our pétanque association) indicated that he was not only proud of a beautiful example of Dutch technology, but also that what the association needs to be able to start with its new accommodation, is probably an equivalent of the steering wheel of this superyacht. A similarly sporty response came from the Press Officer of Heesen Yachts with the request to put the association's ideas in an email.

One thing led to another. Like Pétanque Union Bois le Duc, Heesen Yachts considers corporate social responsibility to be of great importance. The association wants to combat loneliness among (especially) the elderly by means of the game/sport 'pétanque', stimulating the making of new friendships and thereby increasing the inclusiveness of the Bossche society. An objective that Heesen Yachts could fully agree with. For this reason, the company has selflessly decided to give a financial injection to the plans of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc, namely the realisation of 16 jeu de boules courts with sustainable LED lighting on the grounds of soccer association s.v. C.H.C. in the city of 's­‑Hertogenbosch.

Januari 22, 2022 - Unfortunately, a contradictory message to last week's news item. Today the board of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc has decided to end the collaboration with the Ouwestomp Foundation with immediate effect, so we will also leave the temporary play location on their terrain with immediate effect. This does mean that until a better alternative is found or the future accommodation is ready, we will not play. We will of course keep you informed. If a temporary playing location is found, you can read it here.

Do you know an alternative location where 4 to 5 (temporarily) jeu de boules courts can be realised and with some facilities (at least: toilet + water): send us a message.

If you would like more information regarding the above, please do not hesitate to contact one of our board members. This can be done by telephone, SMS, WhatsApp or e-mail.

January 15, 2022 - We are open again on Saturday afternoon! 😊 From 13:00 we gather, at half past 2 we throw up (as a draw) and then we start playing.

The message came a bit late yesterday, but there were enough people present today to be able to play jeu de boules and have a pleasant afternoon.

èèè Next week again: same time, same place! ççç

January 10, 2022 - The media attention goes on and on. For example, DTV Nieuws conducted an interview today with our Chairman, but also with 2 of our first preliminary members: Paul and Vera Beunk. They tell exactly 'why' our association is needed in 's-Hertogenbosch (click on the image to see the interview).

Do you want to read more about our plans and contribute to this? Then go to our promotion page at Whydonate.nl or, even better: contribute! 😊 You can also still register as a preliminary member via the image in the top left corner.

January 8, 2022 - Today our Chairman, Antoon van Mil, appeared in the Brabants Dagblad with an extensive article and a beautiful photo. This is to give attention to the crowdfunding campaign started by our association and the plans we hope to realise with it (click on the image to read the article).

January 4, 2022 - There is a very challenging time ahead of us, the Corona virus has not yet been defeated and association life is therefore no longer as obvious as before. The question is also whether, when the ‘new normal’ is a fact, everything will be the same as before ... Nevertheless, Pétanque Union Bois le Duc continues unabated to realise its plans, because we have seen/noticed that as an association we are needed! Thanks to our accessible and cheap sport, we can offer people ‘a new home’, a place where they feel safe and can participate in a sporting activity in order to escape loneliness. In order to make our plans possible, we have started a crowdfunding campaign about which an article will be published in the Brabants Dagblad very soon.

Do you want to read more about our plans and contribute to this? Then go to our promotion page at Whydonate.nl or, even better: contribute! 😊

Dutch Pétanque Association (NJBB): 3035

Dutch Chamber of Commerce: 66425654

ASN Bank: NL80 RBRB 0200 4914 82

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