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 2023

You can read the news items of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc from 2023 here.

December 28, 2023 - With a relatively high temperature of about 10 degrees Celsius but a mercilessly cold wind, the entire top six of the 2023 individual championship rankings tonight took part in the very last Thursday evening mix to compete for the title ‘Individual Champion 2023’. Antoon van Mil was at the top at the start of the evening, with Johan de Koning and Elly Smit only one game (read: three game points) behind. Van Mil was therefore not allowed to loose ...

It was literally a spectacular evening because, - in the smoke of countless illegal avalanche arrows that were ignited in the parking lots around Sports park De Schutskamp and literally set the air ablaze -, there was a concentrated but equally sporty battle. Van Mil immediately drew favourably and won the first match relatively easily (13‑4), not yet hampered by the persistent cold wind. On the court next to him, De Koning started less energetically, but he still managed to win his match 13‑12, together with Elly Smit. Their win kept the pressure on leader Van Mil to keep winning and thus secure the championship.

In the second match, Smit convincingly won in triples form together with Marco Tijl and Paul van den Broek against the double team Willem Warnaar/Johan de Koning: 1‑13. On the court next to them, Van Mil, despite his now stone-cold hands, did good business again by winning 13‑8 together with Theo van Wandelen, who was again drawn with him. Van Mil’s overall victory was thus secured.

The third and final game was only a formality, especially because De Koning and Van Mil played together, this time in triples form with Ronald Crombeen. Their opponents were the always driven Elly Smit and Paul van den Broek with Willem Warnaar as their third buddy. Despite a nice lead for the latter (0‑8!), the De Koning/Van Mil/Crombeen team managed to withstand the cold and still put the match in their favour: 13‑10. As a result, Van Mil became ‘Individual Champion 2023’ with 93 match points, followed by Johan de Koning (2^nd place) and Elly Smit (3^rd place) respectively, both with 87 match points, based on the average number of balance points per match. For the full final standings, click here.

The board of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc congratulates Antoon van Mil with his title. 🥳

December 23, 2023 - They are online, the public tournaments of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc for 2024. Registration is now possible! 🥳

Go to OnTip and search for our association name (‘Bois le Duc’) to see the tournaments.

To make it easy for you, here are also all posters. 😉

December 21, 2023 - In the bleak and soaking wet aftermath of the storm ‘Pia’ that passed over the country earlier in the day, five players were still present on the soaking wet jeu de boules courts of our association to play the Thursday evening competition, born out of a kind of necessity. The entire top five of the competition, - namely: Antoon van Mil, Elly Smit, Johan de Koning, Marco Tijl and Theo van Wandelen -, was present and the games had to be played. The aforementioned are so close to each other in the standings that missing one of the last two competition evenings of 2023 is not an option. And they played: with a lot of fun, sporting venom but also a lot of rain. Due to constant driving rain, everyone was completely soaked down to their underwear.

Two matches were played and, albeit literally with pain and effort, Antoon van Mil managed to hold on to his leading position, but now with not only Johan de Koning but also Elly Smit right behind him in the standings. So it promises to be an exciting evening on Thursday, December 28^th the denouement of the ‘Individual championship 2023’.

A somewhat rainy and therefore very blurry impression of the atmosphere. F.l.t.r.: Antoon van Mil,

Elly Smit, Theo van Wandelen, Marco Tijl and Johan de Koning.

December 16, 2023 - Let's hope that (someday, sometime in the future) all people of all ethnicities, (political) beliefs, genders, etc. will find each other in peace, love and, above all, equality. Just like everyone at our association is equal and very welcome! 🙂

Pétanque Union Bois le Duc is an association where we throw the ball together and, through the accessible sport/game 'pétanque', try to make the world a better place by promoting social cohesion through play.

Pétanque Union Bois le Duc wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and a good, but above all, healthy 2024! 🥳🥂

December 10, 2023 - Despite the relatively high temperature (about 8-10 degrees Celsius), the weather lived up to the name of the ‘Cold hands tournament’. It may have been warm, but the wind caused a perceived temperature that was degrees lower and ultimately caused the famous ‘cold hands’.

After two matches on time, the 26 participants came together in the association building of s.v. C.H.C. to enjoy a delicious cup of pea soup, supplemented with filled baguette. Diny Buise - van Roosmalen, Rini van Woerkum and Marco Tijl provided the service, even at the table! 😊

During dinner it became apparent that the atmosphere was good and, strengthened by a full stomach, the participants went out again in good spirits to play two more matches.

After four matches, competition leader Antoon van Mil was able to determine the final score. There were three prices, composed and beautifully decorated by Inge Boonzaaijer in collaboration with Gwenda Kok - Tijl.

Jan Arnold, a new member of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc, managed to win four out of four matches with no less than ten points per match (read: 40 points in total). Second place went to Riet Heijmans - Verharen, she also managed to win four out of four games, but with 22 points. Johan de Koning was the bottom of the top three with three wins and 20 points. Nieke Pachen - Pleumekers finished just outside the prices with three wins and 17 points. She therefore did not win a price, but Johan de Koning, sporty as always, passed on his price, so that Nieke Pachen ‑ Pleumekers also won a price.

December 9, 2023 - The players of both competition teams of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc can go into the winter break of the National Pétanque Competition 2023-2024 with their heads held high. Both P.U. Bois le Duc 1 as P.U. Bois le Duc 2 managed to win convincingly on the seventh matchday of the competition.

P.U. Bois le Duc 1 played away, in the hall of Pétanque association Tilburg. There the team played against Jeu de Boules association ‘t Veer from Raamsdonksveer. The latter team uses the hall of the association from Tilburg as its home base during the competition. The players of Raamsdonksveer apparently did not have any home advantage due to ‘course knowledge’ because the players of ‘s-Hertogenbosch, as it were, steamrolled over their opponent. They immediately won 3-0 in the first doubles round, after which the team also won both triples matches: 5-0. The day’s victory had already been secured because five out of eight matches were already won. In the third round, also in doubles form, two out of three games were won, making the final score 7‑1 in favour of P.U. Bois le Duc 1. With this resounding victory, the team of ’s‑Hertogenbosch maintains its leading position in the 6^th Division - Group 6004, completely undefeated.

P.U. Bois le Duc 1. Standing f.l.t.r.: Hans van Woerkum, Liesbeth van Ooijen - van Rooijen, Edith Pol - Willemsen,

Antoon van Mil and Rini van Woerkum. Squatted in the foreground: John Pol.

P.U. Bois le Duc 2 played in its alternative home base in Ammerzoden against PV Le Château from Wijchen. There was something at stake because a win would mean that the from ‘s‑Hertogenbosch would remain in the lead in the 6^th Division - Group 6003. And winning, that was what the team did. After taking an immediate 2-1 lead in the first doubles round, they continued strong by turning both triples matches into a win: 4-1. Therefore, only one out of three games had to be won in the last and also doubles round. The players of ’s-Hertogenbosch were on a roll and all matches were won. Final score: 7-1. This means that P.U. Bois le Duc 2 is still in the lead in its group and, just like the first team, it is going into the winter break with a good feeling.

P.U. Bois le Duc 2. Standing f.l.t.r.: Elly Smit, Henri Pachen, Marco Tijl, Johan de Koning and Inge Boonzaaijer.

On the foreground f.l.t.r.: Kevin Lankes and Theo van Wandelen.

Both teams will be back in action on Saturday, January 13^th 2024, at home in Ammerzoden. P.U. Bois le Duc 1 plays against Jeu de Boules association Altena and P.U. Bois le Duc 2 against Jeu de Boules club Lingewaard. See the schedule for more details.

December 2, 2023 - There it hangs again …

… the polo shirt of our association, wonderfully washed after a day of ‘hard labour’. The beautiful uniform of our association certainly helped with self-confidence because both the first and second teams managed to do good business today, on the sixth match day of the National Pétanque Competition 2023-2024. All this on the indoor courts of Jeu de Boules association L'Ammerzo in Ammerzoden, the home base for Pétanque Union Bois le Duc during the competition.

In the 6^th Division - Group 6003, P.U. Bois le Duc 2 won with 7-1 against PV Boules de Boeuf 4 from Oss. An important victory because in the competition standings this team was right above the team of ‘s‑Hertogenbosch. Due to this victory, P.U. Bois le Duc 2 will most likely shift to second place in the rankings. Only PV Boules de Boeuf 5 is still above the team of ‘s‑Hertogenbosch, but the team still has to play against them for a second time. So, with consistent play and some luck, the team could easily come first ...

P.U. Bois le Duc 1 did what was expected of it by winning no less than 8-0 against PV Wij Liggen 4 from Schijndel. The team therefore remains undefeated at the top of the 6^th Division - Group 6004 and promotion to the 5^th Division can be considered, albeit cautiously.

On Saturday December 9^th coming both teams are back in action. See the schedule for more details.

November 30, 2023 - Tonight’s meeting of the Building Committee was, so to speak, ‘fruitful’. Once again there was an extensive brainstorm about the future of our association and in particular the realisation of our own indoor accommodation, one that our beautiful city of ‘s‑Hertogenbosch completely lacks. The stakes have been set out and are being translated into an ambitious but realistic Plan of Action (PoA) in which the wishes of the association are translated to achieve a real ‘boulodrome’. To be continued … 😊

Within the Building Committee, everyone has their own role, based on years of work and life experience. We would like to introduce the Building Committee members to you again with the following news: John Stohr has, immediately and at the request of Chairman Antoon van Mil, taken over as Chairman of the Building Committee. All other committee members fully agreed with this, fueled by John’s enthusiasm and, above all, drive! 🥳

November 22, 2023 - It really was literaly ‘PVV’ in one of the polling stations of the Municipality of 's-Hertogenbosch today, namely: ‘Pétanquers Voor het Volk’ (translated: pétanque players for the people). Our association members Mieke Lakwijk, Piet Ronnes and Ruud van Noort were present to count the votes. With their entirely voluntary presence, they earned a nice contribution for our association. Thank you for your contribution to not only democracy but also our association fund! 🥳

Our heroes, f.l.t.r.: Ruud van Noort, Mieke Lakwijk and Piet Ronnes.

November 18, 2023 - Both the first and second team played ‘at home’, in the hall of the Jeu de Boules association L'Ammerzo in Ammerzoden. In the 6^th Division - Group 6004 of the National Pétanque Competition 2023-2024, P.U. Bois le Duc 1 played against L'Ammerzo 2 from Ammerzoden. In Group 6003 of the 6^th division, P.U. Bois le Duc 2 faced PV Jeu de Bouckles 2 from Boekel.

The players of Ammerzoden’s second team were eager to win. At the time of meeting, L'Ammerzo 2 was in second place in Group 6004, right behind P.U. Bois le Duc 1 and with only one victory less than the team from ‘s-Hertogenbosch. So there was something for them to win!

P.U. Bois le Duc 1 got off to a steady start in the first round and won two out of three doubles matches: 2-1. In the subsequent triples round, the play was not too convincing, but the team from ‘s‑Hertogenbosch still managed to win one out of two games: 3-2. After a good team pep talk, in which the team members expressed their confidence in each other, P.U. Bois le Duc 2 completed the meeting with Ammerzoden solidly by winning all three matches in the second doubles round. Final score: 6-2 in favour of the players of ‘s-Hertogenbosch. This victory keeps P.U. Bois le Duc 1 in the lead of Group 6004 of the 6^th Division.

P.U. Bois le Duc 2 had a tougher time against the very experienced PV Jeu de Bouckles 2. After an energetic start, with two wins in the first doubles round (2-1), the team from ’s-Hertogenbosch continued steadily in the triples round, winning one of two matches. They entered the final and decisive doubles round with a nice 3-2 lead. However, the players of Boekel showed their teeth and managed to win two out of three matches, ending the sporting meeting between both teams in a 4-4 draw. Nevertheless, a very nice performance by P.U. Bois le Duc 2 given the much greater playing experience of her opponent.

On the back, standing f.l.t.r.: Kevin Lankes, Elly Smit, Henri Pachen, Inge Boonzaaijer, Liesbeth van Ooijen - van Rooijen,

Monique van Steeden - Martin, Marco Tijl, Rini van Woerkum, Edith Pol - Willemsen and John Pol.

On the front, squatted f.l.t.r.: Antoon van Mil, Hans van Woerkum and Johan de Koning.

On Saturday, December 2^nd both teams are back in action. P.U. Bois le Duc 1 then plays ‘at home’ in Ammerzoden against PV Wij Liggen 4 from Schijndel. P.U. Bois le Duc 2 also plays there, but against PV Boules de Boeuf 4 from Oss.

Would you like to know the results of previously played matches, the locations of the next competition day or the current standings of the divisions in which the games are played? Then click on the desired information in the table below.

November 11, 2023 - Following our association member Johan de Koning, who won the doubles championship of Jeu de Boules association L'Ammerzo earlier this year together with Jan van Bergen, our Chairman Antoon van Mil (like Johan also a member in Ammerzoden) today very convincingly conquered the singles championship there. Congratulations gentlemen! 🥳

November 4, 2023 - The first team of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc has once again done good business in the hall of the Jeu de Boules association L'Ammerzo in Ammerzoden. In the 6^th Division - Group 6004 of the National Pétanque Competition 2023‑2024, the team easily won against its opponent, Pétanque Association Jeu de Bouckles from Boekel. The full victory was achieved because the team did not give away a single match over the three rounds to be played. The score was no less than 8‑0 and the team thus strengthened its leading position in the competition.

P.U. Bois le Duc 1. On the back, standing f.l.t.r.: John Pol, Liesbeth van Ooijen - van Rooijen, Antoon van Mil and

Rini van Woerkum. On the front, f.l.t.r.: Edith Pol - Willemsen and Hans van Woerkum.

Away, against Jeu de Boules club Zevenaar, the second team had a considerably tougher time. P.U. Bois le Duc 2 made a good start: in the first round the team managed to win two out of three doubles, giving them an immediate lead (2‑1). In the following triples round, they won once convincingly (13‑5) but lost just as convincingly once (2‑13). This kept the tension in the encounter with the score 3‑2 and one round of doubles to go. Another big result in that round, but this time in favor of P.U. Bois le Duc 2: 13‑5 and an even bigger interim lead (4‑2). With two games to go, luck seemed to be turning in the right direction. Still, the team from Zevenaar managed to bounce back and P.U. Bois le Duc 2 lost, albeit very narrowly: 13‑12, 13‑10. Final score: 4‑4.

P.U. Bois le Duc 2. On the back, standing f.l.t.r.: Elly Smit, Gwenda Kok - Tijl, Inge Boonzaaijer and Marco Tijl.

In the middle: Monique van Steeden - Martin. Squatted f.l.t.r.: Johan de Koning and Theo van Wandelen.

Would you like to know the results of previously played matches, the locations of the next competition day or the current standings of the divisions in which the games are played? Then click on the desired information in the table below.

October 22, 2023 - As of Wednesday, October 25^th and until March 2024 we will also play, - in addition to Tuesday and Thursday evenings plus Sunday afternoons on our outdoor courts in ’s‑Hertogenbosch ‑, one evening indoors in Boulodrome L'Ammerzo in Ammerzoden (Hoge Weiden 18).

Present in Ammerzoden between 7:00 PM and 7:30 PM. We start with the first match at 7:30 PM. The hall is open until 10:00 PM.

The facade sign of Boulodrome L'Ammerzo as established on January 18^th 2001 by Willy Bruninx, Secretary of

Jeu de Boules association L'Ammerzo, and association member Theo van Mil. The sign has been desgined by

Antoon van Mil, the current Chairman of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc.

For the current opening hours of our association, click here.

October 21, 2023 - It was again another exciting pétanque weekend. In the 6^th Division - Group 6003 of the National Pétanque Competition 2023-2024, the second team of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc had to play ‘at home’ in Ammerzoden against leader PV Boules de Boeuf 5 from Oss. The first team had to go out in Sint-Oedenrode to maintain its leading position, against Cloeck & Moedigh 8.

P.U. Bois le Duc 2 started well by immediately taking the upper hand in the first of a total of three competition rounds. The team managed to win two of the three doubles (13‑10, 13‑5, 6‑13). Score: 2‑1 in favour of the the from ‘s‑Hertogenbosch. In the second round however Boules de Boeuf immediately managed to take revenge by winning both triples, albeit narrowly (10‑13, 11‑13): 2‑3. In the decisive third round, in which the doubles were again played, P.U. Bois le Duc 2 was a bit short of breath and finally PV Boules de Boeuf 5 defeated her opponent: 6‑13, 8‑13 and 13‑8. Final score: 3‑5 in the disadvantage of the team from ‘s‑Hertogenbosch.

F.l.t.r.: Johan de Koning, Kevin Lankes, Elly Smit, Theo van Wandelen,

Henri Pachen, Gwenda Kok - Tijl and Marco Tijl.

P.U. Bois le Duc 1 had little trouble with Cloeck & Moedigh 8, who is at the bottom of the current rankings. After winning three times in the first round (13‑5, 13‑0, 13‑3), the second round, which was played in triples format, was also won (13‑11, 13‑6). This already secured the day’s victory and the third round, again in doubles, was a mere formality (8‑13, 13‑4, 13‑0). Final score: 7‑1 for the the team of ‘s‑Hertogenbosch, who thus strengthened its leading position in the 6^th Division - Group 6004.

F.l.t.r.: Rini van Woerkum, Antoon van Mil, Edith Pol - Willemsen,

Hans van Woerkum, John Pol and Liesbeth van Ooijen - van Rooijen.

Would you like to know the results of previously played matches, the locations of the next competition day or the current standings of the divisions in which the games are played? Then click on the desired information in the table below.

October 18, 2023 - The training evenings for 2023 are over! Every two weeks and with inexhaustible enthousiasm, Hans and Rini van Woerkum have taught a continuously large group of equally enthousiastic association members. Tonight, on the last training evening, the Van Woerkum brothers were put in the proverbial spotlight and received not only words of praise from Chairman Antoon van Mil, but also a bouquet of flowers and a gift voucher. Rini van Woerkum, in the absence of his brother Hans due to his 65^th birthday (!), received the compliments and gifts for both. The association members present thanked Hans ‘digitally’ and congratulated him, as evidenced by the following video.

“It is someone's birthday …” and therefore we sing happily! 🥳

Not only the trainers were surprised, but also those present. Rini had made a delicious pan of fresh tomato soup and, instead of training really hard, everyone enjoyed soup with baguette and herb butter together in a pleasantly warm canteen. A real hit! 😊 During dinner, he asked what one would need for the next training sessions (learning on the job).

October 17, 2023 - The days are getting shorter and colder but, as always, we continue to play outside (now it is also possible with the well-functioning drainage)! 😊 However, we do this in a slightly modified form, mainly because about 12-13 regular players are absent every Saturday due to their (so far very successful) participation in the National Pétanque Competition 2023-2024.

The board has therefore decided not to open the club on Saturdays during the winter months (read: from now until March 2024), so that we can all play together on Sundays. 😊

Our opening hours until March 2024 are therefore as follows:

Tuesday evening

7:00 PM - 11:00 PM

(starting at 7:15 PM)

Thursday evening

7:00 PM - 11:00 PM

(starting at 7:15 PM)

Sunday afternoon

1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

(starting at 1:15 PM)

We are currently assessing when our association can open during the day. More about that later.

Be on time!

For the most current opening hours, go to the ‘Accommodation’ sub-page of our website.

October 7, 2023 - It was a historic day for jeu de boules in ‘s‑Hertogenbosch. Despite the fact that Pétanque Union Bois le Duc has no indoor accommodation (a major shortcoming!), for the first time in the history of our Brabant capital, two competition meetings of the National Pétanque Competition 2023‑2024 were played on the association's outdoor courts. The exception was met that, at >10 degrees Celcius and <40% chance of rain, outdoor play is allowed. So it was that both P.U. Bois le Duc 1 and P.U. Bois le Duc 2 came into action, all under a warm late summer sun.

On the second day of competition, P.U. Bois le Duc 1 had to play against JdB club Dongen, an experienced opponent who should not be underestimated. The team from ‘s‑Hertogenbosch did well by winning 6‑2 and thus strengthened its leading position in the 6^th Division - Group 6004.

Standing f.l.t.r.: Antoon van Mil, Rini van Woerkum, Edith Pol - Willemsen and Liesbeth van Ooijen - van Rooijen.

Squatted f.l.t.r.: Hans van Woerkum and John Pol. Not pictured: Corrie van Mil - de Looijer.

P.U. Bois le Duc 2, the brand new competition team, also seems to be showing no signs of stopping by winning again. PV Wij Liggen 5 from Schijndel was defeated 5-3. The team thus strengthened its top position in the 6^th Division - Group 6003.

F.l.t.r.: José van Heesch, Johan de Koning, Inge Boonzaaijer, Kevin Lankes, Elly Smit and Theo van Wandelen.

Congratulations on these sporting successes! 🥳

Would you like to know the results of previously played matches, the locations of the next competition day or the current standings of the divisions in which the games are played? Then click on the desired information in the table below.

September 24, 2023 - The last ‘Bossche bollen mix’ of 2023 sponsored by Bakery Van Keulen is over. With 25 participants, who played three rounds of à la mêlée under a warm late summer sun, the event was once again a great success. This edition, pétanque players did not only come from ‘s‑Hertogenbosch, but also from Ammerzoden, Tiel and Echt, among others. People are increasingly finding their way to the jeu de boules courts in ‘s‑Hertogenbosch and the conviviality from all corners of the country! 😊

After three rounds the final score could be drawn up. There appeared to be only one player who had won all three of his matches: Jan van Bergen from Engelen with 3 wins and 25 points. He received a large box of Bossche bollen from Secretary Corrie van Mil - de Looijer. Second place went to Gunnar Geurts with 2 wins and 19 points. The top three was closed by Annie Pijnenburg, also with 2 wins but with only 16 points. They, like the entire top ten, received a box of Bossche bollen. They could take them home in cooling bags sponsored free of charge by Albert Heijn Helftheuvelpassage.

September 23, 2023 - Unprecedented, the start that both teams of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc have made in the first round of the National Pétanque Competition 2023-2024!

In their own home (read: in Boulodrome L’Ammerzo in Ammerzoden) P.U. Bois le Duc 1 made proverbial mincemeat of her opponent, Jeu de Boules association Altena from Sleewijk. With a number of very experienced players in its midst, a victory was obvious, but the extent to which not yet. At the end of the afternoon the big difference in strength was really clear, as it became a whopping 8-0 for the team of ’s‑Hertogenbosch, taking home the full amount of match points.

Standing f.l.t.r.: Liesbeth van Ooijen - van Rooijen, Hans van Woerkum, Rini van Woerkum, Edith Pol - Willemsen

and John Pol. Squatted f.l.t.r.: Ruud van Hintum and Antoon van Mil. Not pictured: Corrie van Mil - de Looijer.

Much more interesting was the away match of P.U. Bois le Duc 2. This team has only existed since this season and is composed of brand new boulers who have all only been members of the association in ‘s‑Hertogenbosch for one to one and a half years. The three rounds (a total of eight matches, in double, triple and double format respectively) had to be played in the hall of Jeu de Boules association Lingewaard in Huissen, which is an old fire station with a concrete floor on which a ten centimeter thick top layer and coarse gravel have been applied. Result: a true minefield. Due to the very difficult terrain to play on, the players from ‘s‑Hertogenbosch were asked to do their utmost. Fortunately, there turned out to be no real home advantage and terrain knowledge because P.U. Bois le Duc 2, like the first team, also overran its opponent: 6-2.

In the back f.l.t.r.: Inge Boonzaaijer, Marco Tijl, Elly Smit and Gwenda Kok - Tijl.

In the middle left: José van Heesch. Squatted f.l.t.r.: Theo van Wandelen and Kevin Lankes.

The board congratulates both teams on the results achieved! 🥳

Would you like to know the results of previously played matches, the locations of the next competition day or the current standings of the divisions in which the games are played? Then click on the desired information in the table below.

September 18, 2023 - It is ‘seaworthy’ again, the old storage container along our pétanque courts. Thanks to the hard work of teacher Steven Tijl and trainee Brian Schellekens, the roof of the iron juggernaut has been very effectively transformed from a cheese with holes into a watertight whole. We can make progress in that regard over the next 15 to 20 years. All this was made possible by the sponsorship of Duurzaam Plus from Rosmalen. Antwan van Rijn & co, thank you for this sponsorship! 😊

September 15, 2023 - Through a digital vote, our members were able to vote for a changing of the guard with regard to the Treasurership. Now that more than half of the association members have already voted, it can be clearly concluded that this has been approved. This means that Ruud van Hintum will resign as Treasurer with effect from October 1st 2023. From that moment on, his duties are fulfilled by his first namesake, Ruud van Noort. Welcome aboard! 😊

Ruud van Noort, our new Treasurer from October 1^st 2023.

It goes without saying that we are grateful to Ruud van Hintum for his efforts for our association. In 2016, together with Dennis Pol and Antoon van Mil, he was one of the founders of the Pétanque Union Bois le Duc. In light of the resignation of Ruud van Hintum, the board has therefore decided to honour both Ruud and Dennis by appointing them as the first honorary members of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc (with effect from January 1st 2023). Naturally, more attention will be paid to this during the General Members’ Meeting in the spring of 2024.

Archive photo July 6^th 2016: establishment of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc at Notary Mr. Thijs Kampschöer

in Ammerzoden. F.l.t.r.: Dennis Pol, Antoon van Mil, Mr. Thijs Kampschöer and Ruud van Hintum.

September 15, 2023 - After an intensive working week in special education, a number of teachers from De Rijzert, a school for practical education, sought some relaxation on the pétanque courts of our association. After a short instruction by Rini van Woerkum, General Board Member and Trainer, the game was played fanatically but relaxing. Mission accomplished! 🙂

Rini van Woerkum plays a high ball under the watchful eye of the teachers.

September 10, 2023 - With temperatures well above 30 degrees Celsius again, ten of the most fanatical but equally sporty members of our association took part today to compete for the singles title (called ‘tête-à-tête’ in French). After the qualifying rounds, all players were classified into a so‑called ladder schedule on the basis of which the final rounds were completed. If they lost in this scheme they were immediately eliminated.

On the left side of the schedule, Theo van Wandelen impressed by first beating Johan de Koning with solid play but with great difficulty (13‑10), and then making it particularly difficult for Antoon van Mil. The latter only managed to narrowly win 13‑12 in his advance to the final, after a very exciting match.

On the right side of the ladder schedule, Dennis Pol had a relatively easy time in his journey to the final, but this did not detract from his sharpness and the big victories, respectively: 13‑3, 13‑3 and 13‑1.

The final match between Antoon van Mil and Dennis Pol started somewhat one-sided. With three rounds of two points, Van Mil took a relatively easy lead (6‑0), but Pol fought back and took the lead 7‑8. What followed was a battle of points. After an 8‑8 draw, Pol led to 8‑11, but again Van Mil, eager for the final victory, came alongside. With the score at 11‑11, Pol had one match point, but he was unable to capitalise on it due to jumping away from his last boule (11‑12). Van Mil seized the opportunity in the next throwing round by scoring two points (13‑12), securing the overall victory and the title ‘Tête-à-tête Champion 2023’.

The consolation final, for third and fourth place, was won 13‑4 by José van Heesch. This was at the expense of Henri Pachen who, as always, had a good laugh about it. 😊

September 9, 2023 - This time a compact but equally cozy ‘Bossche doubles’. A total of sixteen teams first played three preliminary rounds (semi-competition in a group of four teams) under a scorching hot sun, after which they were divided equally into an A and a B tournament with direct elimination in case of a loss.

Johan de Koning and Mo Serraji, both members of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc, put in a wonderful performance by reaching the final of the A tournament. There their progress to the tournament victory failed because the double of Laurent Bonafé and Cas Schellekens (JBC ‘t Dupke, Sint‑Michielsgestel) relatively easily overcame the Den Bosch team 13‑0 and walked away with the win. Nevertheless, a major achievement and just like the number one, the Den Bosch team received a nice cash price!

The consolation final of the A tournament, for third and fourth place, was surprisingly won by the Ammerzodense double of Henk van der Loo and Lars Essing (JdB association L’Ammerzo). They won 13‑7 at the expense of the Belgian duo Robby Van den Bosch and Marc Ferrari (PC Boom).

Standing f.l.t.r.: Henk van der Loo, Lars Essing, Cas Schellekens, competition manager Liesbeth van Ooijen - Van Rooijen,

Laurent Bonafé, Johan de Koning and Mo Serraji. Squatted f.l.t.r.: Robby Van den Bosch and Marc Ferrari.

Gunnar Geurts (PC Boekt, Heusden-Zolder, B) managed to win the final of the B tournament (13‑11) together with occasional partner Thijs Duijm (Amicale de Pétanque Maboul, Ede), at the expense of another Ammerzoden duo: Annie Pijnenburg and Jan van Bergen.

The consolation final of the B tournament was won by Hennie Verschuren and Herman van den Berg (PV Le Château, Wijchen). They defeated Erna Petiet and Joep van Berkel (JdB‑club Middelburg): 13‑7.

September 8, 2023 - Just like in 2022, this year the employees of our sponsor Van Wijnen ‑, a traditionally Dutch company active in area development, project development, (social) housing, renovation/transformation and property management ‑, were again present on the courts of our association in a pleasant and enthousiastic way to compete in sporting competitions with each other. All this while enjoying a snack and a drink.

Hans (l) and Rini van Woerkum (r) give explanations to the employees of Van Wijnen.

After a brief explanation of the game by board members and brothers Hans and Rini van Woerkum, the ‘Van Wijn-ers’ could then compete for top honours over three pre-drawn matches.

The convincing winner was Bob van de Loo with 3 games won and 28 points, he won a brand new set of jeu de boules. Neal Blom became the 'runner up' with also 3 wins and 24 balance points. Niels van der Veeken became the last runner and 'lantern bearer', he did not win a single match, but his enjoyment was no less! He received an oil lamp from Chairman Antoon van Mil, made from an official boule.

August 31, 2023 - After enjoying a homemade lunch on the terrace of our sporty partner s.v. C.H.C. the team members of the Communication Department of the Municipality of ‘s‑Hertogenbosch also eagerly threw themselves into the jeu de boules. After three rounds (on time), which were played under the leadership of our Chairman Antoon van Mil, the final score could be drawn. The saying “Whoever writes stays” was once again applicable because organiser Bibi van de Griendt, together with teammate Suzanne Bruijstens, was the only one to win all three of her competition and thus achieved 1st place. Congratulations! 😊.

August 27, 2023 - Press release.

ALSO ‘RED FLAG’ AT ‘BOSSCHE BOLLEN MIX’

Last Sunday, on the Zandvoort Formula 1 circuit, the race continued until the 65^th round, but on the courts of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc the red flag went up after just one and a half rounds. The weather gods were also less favorable to the sport in ’s‑Hertogenbosch and, after a small cloudburst accompanied by a thunderstorm, the sixteen courts of the association were so flooded that it was impossible to continue playing, even with a longer break. Unlike the Formula 1 organisation, organiser and Chairman Antoon van Mil did not decide on a ‘restart behind the safety car’. It continued to rain steadily and it would take too long before the excess rainwater would be drained and the courses would be playable again.

A happy coincidence: due to competition from Formula 1 race and the predicted bad weather, only twenty participants were present. Coincidentally, however, the number of Bossche bollen for the best ten participants came together at fourty pieces and could therefore be easily divided. With the help of association member Marco Tijl, the Bossche bollen sponsored by Bakery Van Keulen were redistributed and each participant could take home a box with two pieces of the delicious Bossche pastry.

(Almost) all participants in the ‘Bossche bollen mix’.

On Sunday September 24^th next the last ‘Bossche bollen mix’ of 2023 will take place. You can register on site and individual participation is possible (after all, it is a mixed tournament). Boules are plentiful and can be borrowed free of charge. Introductions are very welcome.

Would you also like to play jeu de boules without obligation and get to know Pétanque Union Bois le Duc? Then come along on one of the regular opening days. Click hier for our opening hours or contact us for more information.

August 25, 2023 - Sustainable entrepreneurship also means as an association to continuously think critically about what can and cannot be reused. Recycling not only saves an association money but is also better for the environment.

For example, Pétanque Union Bois le Duc has access to an old sea container that serves as storage. The roof of the iron colossus is as leaky as a basket and so the board was faced with the choice: let the container fall into further disrepair or look for a sponsor who wants to repair the roof.

Antwan van Rijn, founder/owner of the ‘s-Hertogenbosch-based company Duurzaam Plus took up the challenge. One of his employees will soon provide the roof with wooden plates free of charge, which will then be finished with bitumen. Thanks to Duurzaam Plus, the container can certainly last another 15 to 20 years! 😊

August 14, 2023 - In collaboration with Princen Sport, we proudly present the webshop of our (very affordable) club clothing from the Reece Australia brand. The clothing is farmer’s smock blue (navy) with our association logo surrounded by a red and yellow circle on the front. The entire colour composition of blue, red and yellow is a direct reference to the colours of Oeteldonk, the name of ‘s-Hertogenbosch during carnival.

Ordering the clothes is simple and works just like with any other webshop. Click on the desired item of clothing, select the size and place the item in the shopping cart. As soon as the clothing has been delivered, you can pick it up at Princen Sport (Graafseweg 62, 5213 AL ‘s‑Hertogenbosch).

PLEASE NOTE: Before ordering your club clothing, first try it on in the Princen Sport store. In particular, the fitted women’s clothing can be somewhat smaller.

Click on the logo above to go to the webshop!

August 8, 2023 - As an association it is very important to have the safety equipment in order but above all to keep it so. For example, in the canteen of our sporty partner s.v. C.H.C. there is already an AED present, but now Pétanque Union Bois le Duc has, in addition to this, a first aid kit sponsored by Safety First Fire Protection from Nuenen. To top it all off, the kit is also periodically maintained by them. Thank you Patrick Lodewijks, how incredibly fantastic! 🥳

Director/owner Patrick Lodewijks of Safety First Fire Protection with the first aid kit,

which he handed over to General Board member Rini van Woerkum a little later.

August 4, 2023 - In the run-up to the ‘Stay at home tournament’ it were days with rain, rain and more rain. For a moment it seemed that the event initiated by Rini van Woerkum could only take place partly (only the barbecue). But when Meep Poel, the pétanque nestor of the Netherlands, appeared on location, it was as if Moses parted the sea: the rain disappeared spontaneously and the sun broke through! To top it all off, Meep also brought a plastic bag with jacks with the Pétanque Union Bois le Duc logo, as a gift in connection with the reopening of our accommodation. Meep & Joke, thank you! 🥳

The jacks with the logo of P.U. Bois le Duc as delivered by La Boule from Naarden.

F.l.t.r.: Rini van Woerkum (General Board Member), Hans van Woerkum (General Board Member),
Corrie van Mil - de Looijer (Secretary), Meep Poel (pétanque nestor) and Antoon van Mil (Chairman).

Before the start of the barbecue, the more than 40 participants played two short mixed games, assigned by Hans van Woerkum in his association role as Head Coach. After the diligent but sporty work, those present could enjoy the delicious (meat) meals prepared by Rini (with some help from his brother Hans and Diny Buise - van Roosmalen, among others). In addition, Rini’s homemade barbecue sauce was the hit of the evening. Next week, due to popular demand, the recipe of this sauce will be shared via our website and Facebook.

Braai master Rini van Woerkum, shrouded in the steaming fog of the barbecue.

The aim of the ‘Stay at home tournament’ was to bring the association members together in a slightly different setting and to promote mutual social contact. Given the large number of positive reactions, this was 100% successful and so the organisation can look back on a more than successful event that will certainly be repeated in 2024! 😊

August 3, 2023 - It took a while before he came in, but then you have something! A real Gardena hose reel, selflessly sponsored by Almer Wolthuizen van Welkoop Zaltbommel. Now we can easily roll out and roll up our large garden hose again. Thank you, we are very happy with it! 🥳

July 30, 2023 - Six teams competed in the doubles championship 2023 from Pétanque Union Bois le Duc, including reigning champions Dennis Pol and Ruud van Hintum. Given the number of teams, half a competition was played: each team played all other teams once. Champion was the double with the highest number of matches won and balance points.

The double Pol/van Hintum got off to a solid start by winning the first two games sovereignly: 13‑0 and 13-9. The third game, against the double Van Woerkum/Van Mil, would be their first real challenge. This team had also won both games, albeit with some difficult play. Fueled by some fear for their own failure - the first two games were won but not played very well -, the double Van Woerkum/Van Mil started the game much too cautiously. It therefore quickly faced a 12‑0(!) deficit when the tide, through some more offensive play, clearly started to turn in their favour. However, given the big backlog, it was too late and the reigning champions finished the game 13-3.

The venom turned out to be in the fourth round in which the double Pol/van Hintum hit the unleashed double Van Wandelen/De Koning. Perhaps a bit surprised by their easy victory a round earlier, the reigning champions simply left it behind and lost big: 4-13. With that, the tension in the championship came back a bit, because when the standings were drawn up after the fourth round, there were three doubles with three games won, namely: Pol/Van Hintum, Van Wandelen/De Koning and Van Woerkum/Van Mil. However, the points balance of the reigning champions was so high compared to the competition that they could only be overtaken if they lost in the fifth and final round.

In the fifth round, the double Pol/Van Hintum proved supreme against the double Pachen/Van den Broek, which had not yet won a single match: 13-1. Dennis Pol and Ruud van Hintum successfully extended their title and may are also call themselves ‘doubles champion of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc’ in 2023.

Ruud van Hintum (l) and Dennis Pol (r) successfully extend their title in 2023.

July 25, 2023 - It took a while because of the manufacturing, but today the eight anthracite-coloured concrete benches measuring 1,70 x 0,44 meters finally arrived. These are partly sponsored by Contractor company Smits-Vos from Gameren. With joint efforts, five benches were placed along the large playing area and three benches on the intermediate path between the two playing areas. Immediately after installation, the benches were ‘blessed’ en masse by the association members present. 😊

(click on the picture above for a small photo report of the placement activities!)

July 23, 2023 - Organiser and Chairman Antoon van Mil had to wait and see how many participants would come because at half past 9 in the morning, just an hour and a half before the start of the ‘Bossche bollen mix’ sponsored by Bakery Van Keulen, the weather was anything but rosy with continuous drizzle and a somewhat depressing sight. But with the prospect of better weather in the afternoon, about 26 participants still found their way to De Fuik 10 to compete over three mixed rounds (à la mêlée) for delicious Bossche bollen (for the top ten in the final ranking). Everyone can participate in the ‘Bossche bollen mix’ because these are open jeu de boules tournaments for which no license is required.

The participants of this edition of the ‘Bossche bollen mix’ did not only come from ‘s‑Hertogenbosch but also from Drunen, IJsselstein (Ut.), Nijmegen and even Limburg. The youngest participant was 12 years old, while the oldest is well over 80 years old. Despite a heavy rain shower in between, this melting pot of people created an amicable atmosphere that made it possible to play not only in a pleasant way, but also (sportingly) fanatically.

After three rounds, competition manager Corrie van Mil - de Looijer was able to draw up the final score. Adri Verhoeven, playing in Drunen, managed to convincingly secure the win and a full box of Bossche bollen with 3 matches won and no less than 31 points. Second was Leo Leenders with 3 wins and 24 points. The honor of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc was upheld by Paul Beunk: 3 wins and 16 points. The full final standings can be found here and the photos here.

Standing f.l.t.r.: Vera Beunk - Veeken (6^th), Johan de Koning (8^th), Remy Zenik (4^th), Theo van Wandelen (5^th),

Paul Beunk (3^rd), Leo Leenders (2^nd), Gunnar Geurts (9^th) en Maria Timmermans (10^th).

Squatted f.l.t.r.: Adri Verhoeven (1^st) and Frans van Wijnen (7^th).

The next ‘Bossche bollen mix’ is on Sunday, August 27^th 2023, click here for more information.

July 21, 2023 - In the first three weeks of the summer holidays, the Active Seniors Foundation offers a large number of activities to seniors in the municipality of ‘s-Hertogenbosch. The event is called ‘Summer School 55+’ because the foundation tries to teach the participants new sports and ways of moving while enjoying a cup of coffee or tea. In addition, the organisation encourages forging new friendships in order to increase social cohesion and combat loneliness. A good cause to which Pétanque Union Bois le Duc is happy to contribute and that is why the ‘Summer School 55+’ also visited the courts of our association.

Under the watchful eye of association members Elly Smit, Theo van Wandelen, Hans van Woerkum and Corrie van Mil - de Looijer, the eight seniors played three mixed matches (à la mêlée) in which they always had different teammates as opponents. Almost all participants already had experience with our originally French ball game and so the game was played fanatically but very amicably.

After three rounds the final score could be drawn. Joke van de Valk was the winner with 2 games won and a balance of -3 points. She received a beautiful memento from Chairman Antoon van Mil, the jeu de boules reference work ‘Jeu de boules, a document for the enthousiast', written by Henk and Anne Martine Reesink.

F.l.t.r.: Chairman Antoon van Mil, Leonie van der Linden (ASF), Joke van de Valk (1^st place) and Cil Janssen (ASF).

July 15, 2023 - Full house again during the ‘Bossche doubles’. A total of 32 teams from the Netherlands and Belgium competed for the highest honour, all based on the French group system, in which preliminary rounds were first played before a selection was made into an A, B and C tournament respectively. The best 16 teams went to the main tournament (A), the other 16 teams were divided into the B tournament (8 teams) and the C tournament (8 teams) depending on the result of the preliminary rounds. All tournaments were then played on the basis of direct elimination: in the event of a loss, you could go home immediately. There were cash prices to be won in the A and B tournament, and wine packages sponsored by Time to Wine in the C tournament.

The final of the main tournament (A) was played between Patrick Lautenslager/Cas Schellekens (both members of JdB association ‘t Dupke from Sint-Michielgestel) and Edwin Segers/Patrick van der Schief (ABA Rijswijk and PV Jeu de Bommel). Both teams played a very strong tournament until the final, but the sixth and final match seemed to take a toll on the team from Sint-Michielsgestel, so that the final was apparently a bit one-sided. The mix team Segers/Van der Schief therefore won relatively easily with 13-3, making it the overall winner of the ‘Bossche doublets’.

Standing f.l.t.r.: Chairman/organiser/referee Antoon van Mil, Jolanda Visser, Stan Visser, Roberto van Mierle and

Martin Stempher. Squatted f.l.t.r.: Patrick van der Schief, Edwin Segers, Patrick Lautenslager and Cas Schellekens.

The B tournament was won by Gilles Lescure/Erwin de Graauw, both members of Deventer Boule Club Karro Deux. They managed to win 13-11 in the final against Martin Schelle/Ria van den Brand of JdB association De Walnoot from Boxtel.

F.l.t.r.: Gilles Lescure, Chairman/organiser/referee Antoon van Mil, Erwin de Graauw and Martin Schelle.

Standing in front: Ria van den Brand.

Local success was achieved in the C tournament. There, Marco Tijl and Paul Beunk, both members of the first hour of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc, convincingly put aside Nicolien Kort/Jan Kalisvaart, members of JdB association Lex Taxteurs from Culemborg: 13-2.

F.l.t.r.: Nicolien Kort, Jan Kalisvaart, competition manager Liesbeth van Ooijen - van Rooijen, Marco Tijl and Paul Beunk.

July 13, 2023 - Our association has found a new sponsor in Richard van Beers, founder/owner of the Bossche wine trade Time to Wine. The company sponsors the wine prices for the C tournament of the ‘Bossche doubles’ on Saturday, July 15^th and Saturday, September 9^th. Thank you very much for this! 😊

Founder/owner Richard van Beers from Time to Wine ‘in action’.

July 6, 2023 - A proposal has been brought into the board meeting to throw up 15 minutes early. This is to shorten the waiting time before the start of the first match, but also to finish earlier (it gets dark earlier and people want to go home on time). This proposal was unanimously approved by the board.

!!! PLEASE NOTE: THIS CHANGE WILL TAKE AFFECT FROM TUESDAY JULY 11TH !!!

This means that the opening hours as such will not change, but the start of the first match will: we will start 15 minutes earlier! So during the week we throw up at 7:15 PM and at the weekend at 1:15 PM. The training sessions also start fifteen minutes earlier from now on.

For the notorious latecomers: if you have thrown up, you are simply too late from now on and you can wait for the next round.

Be on time!

June 30, 2023 - There they are, the official pins of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc! 🥳 The pin has a diameter of 2,5 centimeters, is provided with an epoxy protective layer and with a so‑called butterfly closure. Top quality but ‘Made in China’. 😉

They are of course for sale to fill our association greenhouse! For only € 2,⁰⁰ you can be one of the first to own this unique collector’s item. If desired, we will send it to you. Order your pin now by sending an email to sales@puboisleduc.nl. 😊

WE SUPPORT PETANQUE LIVE!!!

For every pin sold, we donate € 0,25 to Petanque Live, the wonderful initiative of Jean-Paul Brands (and associates).

25 juni 2023 - ATTENTION: adapted competition system ‘Bossche doubles’!!! One learns by doing, this also applies to tournament organisation of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc. Fueled by positive feedback from a number of participants, our Chairman Antoon van Mil had a short telephone session this morning with our Dutch ‘competition system guru’ Jac Verheul. It has been decided to use the French group system for the upcoming editions of the ‘Bossche doubles'. We hereby present the renewed flyer. Registration is possible via OnTip! 😊

June 24, 2023 - We had to wait a while due to the re-realisation of our accommodation, but the time has finally come: the first official NJBB tournament of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc is a fact! 🥳 Under a more than full summer sun, which registered temperatures > 30 degrees Celsius, 32 doubles competed for the highest honour on the fully occupied Bossche jeu de boules courts. The participants came from all parts of the Netherlands, a number of Belgian teams also registered and a Polish player was present. This melting pot of people ensured that, enhanced by the beautiful weather and a very tight competition management by Liesbeth van Ooijen - van Rooijen, there was an excellent atmosphere.

The matches were played according to an adapted Swiss system. In order to finish first, one had to win all five games in a row. The team that succeeded in this was the double consisting of Laurent Bonafé and Robin Coolen, both playing for Jeu de Boules club 't Dupke from Sint‑Michielsgestel. They received an envelope with a nice cash price from Chairman and tournament organiser Antoon van Mil. The players of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc were also very successful because 2^nd place went to member of the first hour Niek Buskop with teammate Xander Steijns, member of the Tilburg Pétanque Association La Donnée. Behind them also finished a mixed team consisting of the Treasurer of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc, Ruud van Hintum, who together with teammate Cas Schellekens (JBC 't Dupke) took 3^rd place.

June 20, 2023 - Since the reopening of our sixteen jeu boules courts, about seventeen days ago, it has been bone dry. It was therefore necessary to sprinkle daily and structurally to prevent the courts from being destroyed (read: the creation of ‘dust spots and holes’). Fortunately, since most of the gralux top layer has been recycled, it was still sufficiently wet, but a new piece of gralux wasn't. The entire top layer is of course rolled, but something that is not wet simply does not stick together ... To prevent permanent damage, our volunteers have therefore kept the lanes wet continuously with the help of a simple garden hose and a fan sprinkler.

Today it finally arrived: a very heavy downpour, as can be seen on the first video made by Roy Brouwer. Our founder and also Chairman (Antoon van Mil) couldn't believe his luck! 😛

After the first downpour, a second video was made by Theo van Wandelen. This shows that only a few puddles remain and the drainage is functioning properly. You can also see the dust in the puddles that was still between the also secured gravel: that is gone too! 🥳

Tonight we’ve played until 10:15 PM and the courts were and remained very playable despite the soft rain!!! 🙂

June 18, 2023 - Despite the fact that it was Father’s Day, about twenty regional pétanque players managed to find their way to the courses of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc to participate in the ‘Bossche bollen mix’. This is an open pétanque tournament in which everyone can participate regardless of age and/or playing experience, with or without a playing licence.

Over three rounds à la mêlée, a game system in which you always play with but also against others, the participants competed for the Bossche bollen sponsored by Bakery Van Keulen. The best ten received prices, ranging from two Bossche bollen for tenth place to ten for the winner.

After the last match, the final score could be drawn up and, just like in August 2022, it was again Theo van Wandelen who took the highest honours: 3 wins, 27 points. Hans van Woerkum followed with five points behind and took 2^nd place with 3 wins. Gate closer of the top three was Henri Pachen with 3 wins, 19 points. The full final standings can be found here.

F.l.t.r.: Theo van Wandelen (1^st place), Chairman Antoon van Mil and Henri Pachen (3^rd place).

The next ‘Bossche bollen mix’ is on Sunday, July 23^rd 2023, click here for more information.

June 17, 2023 - Tomorrow (read: Sunday, June 18^th) is the first ‘Bossche bollen mix’ of 2023 at our renewed accommodation. The price winners can take the Bossche bollen from Bakery Van Keulen home cooled thanks to the cooling bags selflessly sponsored by Albert Heijn Helftheuvelpassage (the Bossche bollen are also stored there from Saturday to Sunday, by the way). Thank you Abel van Dijk! 🥳

June 14, 2023 - The first training evening was attended by twenty association members: a nice turnout when you consider that many are on vacation and it is also very hot. Full of verve, the brothers Hans and Rini van Woerkum gave basic explanations about the game to the recreational players, where the competition players were challenged with more complex throws. Click here for a short impression of the evening.

Hans van Woerkum (uiterst links) en diens broer Rini van Woerkum (2^e van links) geven uitleg.

June 13, 2023 - Petanque Live has become a well-known phenomenon within the Dutch pétanque scene. Jean-Paul Brands and associates ensure that the game enters our living rooms (or wherever you are) via a ‘Live’ feed on Facebook. However, PL does this on a non-profit and purely hobby basis. Like any other hobby, PL’s activities cost money. For example, equipment is needed, an internet subscription, fuel, a parasol, make it up … All small costs, but still!

If we look at the added value of PL for a number of our relatively new association members ‑, namely following pétanque at the top level, from which they learn a lot(!) ‑, then we as board are happy to contribute to this. That’s why we’ve decided to release our logo for another (collectable) pin, the proceeds of which will go to PL.

Here’s the mock-up, production has yet to start so please be patient. 😉 As soon as the pins are available you can of course read this on Petanque Live!

June 10, 2023 - Fantastic news! 😊 Pétanque Union Bois le Duc finally managed to put together a second team for the National Pétanque Competition 2023-2024. Not only have seven starting players been found (only six are required!), there is also an equally large number of reserve players. Just like P.U. Bois le Duc 1, P.U. Bois le Duc 2 will compete in the 6^th Division

The daily board wishes both teams a lot of fun and above all: good luck! 🥳

June 10, 2023 - Since he took part in ‘Brabantse Boules’, the social side event of the European Pétanque Championships 2022, Bossche resident Theo van Wandelen hasn’t been away from the Bossche jeu de boules courts. He can rightly be called a ‘pétanque freak’ and in that capacity he is also continuously present as a player but also as a volunteer at Pétanque Union Bois le Duc. The fact that Theo, like the other members of the association, has an eye for others is evident from his nomination of our Chairman Antoon van Mil for the ‘Bossche Bol XL’. This is a weekly campaign initiated by the Bossche Omroep with the aim of highlighting people who make an impact on Bossche society. If you click on the image below you can read what drove Theo to nominate our Chairman. 😊

June 9, 2023 - There is always something to maintain or improve on an accommodation, including ours. For example, since the opening, there has been a lack of a tap to wash hands outside. Martin Sluijter solved this defect today by installing an outside tap with a sink. It was a bit of work but it was worth it! Martin, thanks for the excellent work! 😊

June 3, 2023 - It was more than worth the wait, but the game was played again for the first time in months in ‘s-Hertogenbosch. While enjoying a snack and a drink, the renovated accommodation was taken into use by twenty enthusiastic association members.

Click here for a small impression of the atmosphere by our Chairman, Antoon van Mil, including some pictures of the gravel application earlier in the day.

June 3, 2023 - Finally! With special thanks to volunteers Antoon van Mil, Harm Schilders, Hans van Woerkum, Johan de Koning and Marco Tijl, the gravel has been applied to the large playing area. This makes the accommodation ‘ready to play’ for the unofficial reopening this afternoon. Thanks for your hard work gentlemen!😊

June 2, 2023 - Today Antoon van Mil and Hans van Woerkum gave an appearance at the Senior Sports Olympiad in Rosmalen. This event - with the aim of getting the elderly to exercise more, to promote social cohesion and to combat loneliness - took place at Sportcomplex De Groote Wielen. The organisation was in the hands of the Sport Alliance, which is active in Rosmalen, Nuland, Vinkel and Empel.

Spread over two sessions of 50 minutes each, Antoon and Hans presented our beautiful game to the elderly who, with great pleasure, did their utmost to become ‘ball proficient’.

A second Olympiad will be organised in the autumn, more information will follow in due course.

May 31, 2023 - All lines have been applied by Antoon van Mil and the gravel is already in the small playing area, thanks to Marco Tijl and Rini van Woerkum. Contractor company Smits-Vos has updated the gralux top layer of the large play area so that the gravel can also be applied there, this will happen next Saturday with a larger team of volunteers.

May 26, 2023 - It’s a wrap! Contractor company Smits-Vos has completed its work, resulting in two playing areas with excellent drainage and an almost virgin top layer of gralux. 😊

Contractor company Smits-Vos from Gameren has done a fantastic job, not only technically but also in the field of communication and expectation management. We highly recommend hiring this company!!! 👈🏻

The fencing will be replaced next Wednesday. After that, the lines, the gravel and the scoreboards still have to be installed and everything is ready for the reopening on Saturday afternoon, June 3^rd 2023. Then, games will resume according to regular opening hours. We had to wait for a long time... But we can (almost) go again! 😊

May 25, 2023 - The preparation for the placement of a total of eight large concrete benches has been made with the laying of the pavement tiles on which they will stand.

May 24, 2023 - And again a big step forward has been made: the gralux top layer of the small play area has been applied and rolled. The sidewalk along the play area has also been restored. 🙂

Chairman Antoon van Mil could not resist the temptation when he was offered to drive the roller himself. If there are any complaints about the condition of the small play area and court 1 in particular, you now know how they arose. 😉

The PVC overflow pipes of the large playing area, laid by hand during the initial installation of the accommodation by Chairman Antoon van Mil (with the help of fellow association members Corrie van Mil - de Looijer, Inge Boonzaaijer and Willem Warnaar), have been removed by machine.

May 23, 2023 - It is not the size or value that matters but the intention to do so. Again St Middelkoop & Zn BV from Zaltbommel sponsors the lines for our restored pétanque courts. We are very grateful for this!👍

May 22, 2023 - The large playing area is now also ready for the application of the gralux top layer. The lava rock has been applied and finished with an insulating layer of drainage sand on which the gralux will be placed on top. We are nearing the completion of the whole! 🙂

May 21, 2023 - Admittedly, it was of course because a player qualified for the final day dropped out, but that is why Antoon van Mil, the very first player of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc ever, competed in the Dutch championship Tête à Tête in Harderwijk. Still a nice milestone for an association that has actually been running for just one year! 😊

Releasing a boule with a straight arm and a flat hand is essential for a successful throw.

All 32 male participants in the final day first had to play four preliminary rounds based on the Swiss system. Only four of them would eventually qualify for the semifinals. The preliminary rounds were played against time (45 minutes per round + 2 throwing rounds), the finals took place on the basis of direct elimination.

Antoon van Mil had to compete in the first preliminary round against Trieu Ngyen, a very experienced player who plays for Jeu de Boules association Va-Tout in Breda. It immediately became an exciting match and Antoon was keen to sell his skin dearly. At score 5-7 he came close (7‑7) to see Nguyen run to 7-10. A throwing round with three solid carreaus from Antoon’s hand followed, making the score 10-10 and allowing him to throw the jack. A strong first boule follows, about 10 cm. next to the jack: not bad considering the difficulty of the course. Nguyen, however, places a biberon (read: a boule against the jack) and thus outdoes it. Despite good shooting during the entire match, this decisive boule is missed by Antoon! He therefore had the choice: shoot for a maximum of two points against (because the jack would most likely cross the line) or defend to keep points off. Antoon decides to do the second but the defensive boule just doesn’t arrive nicely and Nguyen then knows how to get his other boules on point as well. 10‑13. This loss made qualifying for the last four difficult but not impossible if the next three games were to be converted into a win.

Antoon played the third match against an old acquaintance, Cas Schellekens from JBC ‘t Dupke from Sint-Michielsgestel. In the regional preliminary round he had beaten Antoon with large and justified numbers (1-13), so it was ‘payback time’. As if the proverbial devil played with it, Antoon also did not start this match against Cas at all, while Cas again played very solid and extremely effective. Another justified defeat: 3-13. With this loss, any chance of a place in the last four was definitively gone.

Antoon van Mil can literally only watch how Cas Schellekens beats him.

In the last game against Herman Soppe from M.I.D.I. Delft all brakes were released, after all there was nothing left to loose. Both Soppe and Van Mil nevertheless intended to win the game but, again driven by strong shooting, this game was won just as effectively as the second: 13-3. With this win, Antoon ended up in 18^th place.

The NK Tête à Tête was won by Edward Vinke, player of Pétanque Union Kennemerland from Haarlem. All results can be found here, on the Facebook page of NLpetanque.

May 19, 2023 - Actually, they weren’t supposed to come today, the men from contractor Smits‑Vos from Gameren, but they worked anyway. This to the great joy of the board that can’t wait to reopen the accommodation!

Because of the quality of the work, Anne van der Zalm, co-owner of the contracting company, brought a Quality Manager to the site. However, after a critical examination of the photo taken by association member Ruud van Noort, the board doubts whether this employee is sufficiently certified … 🤔 + 😉

Our Chairman asked the contractor for an explanation. His response: “We have the only Quality Manager in the Netherlands who can internally check the drainage for proper operation.” 🤣

May 18, 2023 - In September 2022 we were supposed to organise our first official NJBB tournament, but due to heavy rainfall and the poor drainage system, this fully booked(!) tournament unfortunately did not take place. Now that our jeu de boules courts are almost restored, we can finally organise our first NJBB tournament. We will do this on Saturday, June 24^th 2023. Then there will be a doubles tournament in ‘s-Hertogenbosch over 5 rounds, based on the old Boule d’Or system from the 1980s. See the flyer below for more information and above all: register (via OnTip)! 😉

May 18, 2023 - On Sunday, May 7^th the preliminary rounds for the Dutch Championship Tête à Tête of NJBB district South-East took place on the outdoor courts of PV Jeu de Bommel in Zaltbommel. Antoon van Mil took part on behalf of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc. He finished just outside the top 5 that qualified for the national final day that will take place on Sunday, May 21^st in Harderwijk. However, due to the failure of one of the qualified players, Antoon is allowed to take office. We wish him good luck! 😊

May 17, 2023 - The repair work is now going very fast. Just before Ascension Day, contractor Smits‑Vos manages to complete the drainage system and both playing areas are now fitted with drainage pipes. The result is immediately noticeable! 😊

Now the large playing area still needs to be finished with lava rock and an insulating layer of drainage sand. The gralux top layer can then be applied and the pavement still needs to be repaired. The next step is to reapply the lines and gravel and we’re good to go! 🥳

May 16, 2023 - The main drain has also been installed along the large playing area (11 courts). Tomorrow the construction of the drainage pipes will start there.

May 15, 2023 - “The floor is lava …” will soon literally be used at our jeu de boules courts, because contractor Smits-Vos has finished the drainage slots in the small playing courts (5 lanes) with a 10 cm thick layer of lava rock. On top of that, a sprinkling layer of drainage sand has been applied that serves as insulation between the lava rock and the top layer that will consist of an 8 cm thick layer of gralux. Another step further. 😊

May 14, 2023 - Now that the work for the new drainage system is progressing steadily, we as an association can carefully plan things again. This is why, on Wednesday, June 14^th coming, the first training of the ‘P.U. Bois le Duc academy’ is planned. The trainings are provided by the brothers Hans and Rini van Woerkum.

Participation in the training courses is free of charge and registration in advance is not necessary: ​​you can simply join on the spot. In this flyer you will find more information about the training courses, including the dates on which they take place.

Getting training is great, but you have to (continue to) apply what you learn!

May 14, 2023 - In the National Pétanque Competition 2023-2024, the 1^st team of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc will once again compete in the 6^th Division. After the first year, in which the team has changed considerably in composition but has become attuned to each other, expectations for the coming season are high.

We proudly present the 1st team (click on the image to enlarge):

May 13, 2023 - With temperatures well above 20 degrees Celsius, it was a bit bitter that the members of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc had to go to fellow association L'Ammerzo in Ammerzoden for an ‘Ad hoc tournament’. But yes, playing jeu de boules in a construction site (see the news item of May 12 last) is of course impossible. Fortunately, the atmosphere was certainly not less! The fourteen participants competed over three rounds, in which they always played with but also against others, for the highest honour and small cash prizes.

The competition management of the ‘Ad hoc tournament’ was in the hands of Chairman Antoon van Mil. He won the previous edition of the tournament, but this time, because of an even number of participants, he remained on the proverbial sidelines. This gave him the opportunity to take some more photos, which you can find on our website under the heading ‘Pictures’.

After three rounds, the following final score could be drawn:

1)  Marco Tijl - 3 wins, 28 points.

2)  Johan de Koning - 3 wins, 20 points.

3)  Henri Pachen - 2 wins, 10 points.

The top three of the ‘Ad hoc-toernooi’, f.l.t.r.: Henri Pachen, Johan de Koning en Marco Tijl.

Most rightly the winner of the poodle prize: Gwenda Kok - Tijl.

Click here for the entire final standings of the ‘Ad hoc tournament’.

May 12, 2023 - The small playing area (5 courts) is equipped with drainage pipes and the result is immediately noticeable. Where the large playing area (11 courts) is still wet, the surface in the small playing area is already starting to dry out. How fantastic to see that the drainage is already working! 😊

A jeu de boules court can be just like a zoo …

May 12, 2023 - She could have just become the new weatherwoman of SBS6, Ilvie van Schijndel of the Department of Sports & Recreation (S-PORT) of the Municipality of ‘s-Hertogenbosch. At the start of the jeu de boules clinic in the courtyard/roof terrace of senior complex De Commissaris, she hopefully stated that the weather would remain nice all afternoon: and she was (fortunately) right! 😊

The jeu de boules court in the courtyard/roof terrace of senior complex De Commissaris.

At the head of the court, in the black polo shirt, Chairman Antoon van Mil.

On the jeu de boules court, built by volunteer Theo, eight seniors participated with great enthusiasm in the clinic provided by our Chairman Antoon van Mil. They were observed by about twenty fellow residents, some of whom later also joined. After the clinic, two short matches were played, much to the amusement of the spectators.

The organisation of the whole was in the trusted hands of S-PORT, which was supported by the employees of Housing Corporation Zayaz.

After some advice from our Chairman on how to improve the jeu de boules court, all said goodbye with a broad smile and the organisation can look back on a very successful event. An event with the primary goal of strengthening social contacts through an accessible sport.

May 11, 2023 - Rain, rain and even more rain: it is to become despondent. 😐 For contractor Smits‑Vos the day therefore started with the organisation of a pump to remove the more than abundant rainwater from the two now excavated and filled playing areas.

Water, water and even more water …

But as Johan Cruijf always said: “Every disadvantage has its advantage.” The pump could be used to test the discharge capacity of the existing water vortex. This appears to have sufficient capacity to connect the drainage, the earlier plan with an open drainage channel has therefore been adjusted. You can see the new plans here.

The water pump in question: an aid and test tool at the same time.

May 11, 2023 - The ASF Summer School 55+ offers a large number of activities for seniors in the municipality of ‘s-Hertogenbosch during the first three weeks of the summer holidays. Every senior is welcome to participate in one or more activities. The variety is great and the activities are aimed at men and women, mobile and less mobile, active and less active. With every activity you meet other people and there is always a cup of coffee or tea.

The ASF Summer School 55+ introduces seniors to various activities in an accessible manner. During an activity of 2 to 3 hours you can try out whether an activity suits you. The Active Seniors Foundation does this in collaboration with a large number of (senior) organisations in the city and with the help of more than a hundred volunteers, including the people of the core team, the guest teachers and of course the hosts and hostesses who are present at every activity.

The ASF Summer School 55+ offers about 100 workshops, presentations and excursions in the field of exercise, health, culture, music, creativity, digital skills and self-reliance, for an amount of € 5,00 per part of the day including coffee and tea. Jeu de boules is one of the activities and is offered by Pétanque Union Bois le Duc on Friday afternoon, July 21 and Friday morning, August 4.

Click here for all activities of the ASF Summer School 55+ including jeu de boules. Via this website it is also possible to register for one or more activities.

May 9, 2023 - At exactly half past eight this morning, contractor Smits-Vos from Gameren stood in front of the gate of our association, ready to start dismantling our sixteen jeu de boules courts. Objective: the realisation of a sound drainage system.

Anne van der Zalm (l), co-owner of contractor Smits-Vos, stacks the tiles

that are handed over by his employee Gert-Jan Quik and intern Steff van Pouderoyen.

At the time of writing, the gralux top layer of both playing areas has already been removed, despite the continuous rain, which once again emphasises why an indoor accommodation in ‘s‑Hertogenbosch is so necessary. Work will continue tomorrow, then the contractor will start partially excavating the rubble layer.

The gralux top layer, meticulously excavated to the broken rubble.

A somewhat desolate sight but with a beautiful prospect.

Only a few more weeks and then we will open ‘full throttle’ again. Various NJBB and promotional tournaments are already planned as well as a number of corporate clinics. We will soon update the agenda on our website (see the ‘Events’ section) and we will send an email to the jeu de boulers known to us so that we can make sure that everyone knows that we are open again.

Do you also want to be informed about our events?

Send an email to info@puboisleduc.nl with the title ‘Include me in your mailing list!’ (or something similar 😉). You will then receive an e-mail no more than 4 to 5 times a year.

May 5, 2023 - On Friday, June 2 coming the 3^rd edition of the Senior Sports Olympiad will be held at Sportcomplex De Groote Wielen, around Tennisclub De Groote Wielen at Rietpad 1 in Rosmalen. The organisation is in the hands of the Sport Alliance, which is active in Rosmalen, Nuland, Vinkel and Empel.

During the Senior Sport Olympiad from 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM a choice can be made from 8 exercise activities from local sports providers, namely: jeu de boules (P.U. Bois le Duc), tennis, padel, walking football, beach volleyball, table tennis, walking hockey and walking basketball.

The main goal is to get seniors moving and to show what opportunities there are for this in the region.

The afternoon starts with a cup of coffee and something sweet, followed by the opening. Afterwards there are various movement workshops. Movement is just as important as meeting and socialising. The Senior Sports Olympiad combines the useful with the pleasant. That is why there is a joint drink at the end. 😊

The program

Register or more information?

Are you joining, that's great! You can register via the online registration form or by email to j.reijersen@sportalliantierosmalen.nl.

More information can be found on the website of Sport Alliance Rosmalen.

Atmosphere impression

To get an idea, you can watch the video of the Senior Sport Olympiad 2021 here.

May 3, 2023 - As an association it is also necessary to be sustainable. After all, sustainability is the only way we can keep the earth alive for future generations. If we don’t start living sustainably, the earth will become exhausted and there will come a time when there is simply nothing left we can use. For these reasons, Pétanque Union Bois le Duc uses LED lighting, for example, but also tries to save as much waste as possible and to recycle things where possible.

An example of this is the king-sized Styrofoam boule used to kick off the European Pétanque Championships 2022 in 2020. The boule, like a number of beautiful banners from the event, has been secured by our Chairman. In 2022, the boule was used by Alderman Roy Geers of the Municipality of ‘s-Hertogenbosch officialy open the accommodation of P.U. Bois le Duc.

Now, almost three years after the boule was manufactured, it has had a facelift by Inge Boonzaaijer, an avid member of the association from the very beginning. The result is amazing as can be seen in the photos below. Ingie, thank you! 😊

April 29, 2023 - “Actions rather than words!” Today a collective of our association members removed the gravel from the courts.

Thanks for your help! 😊

The contractors can get to work and the first action is already planned for next Monday: removing the fencing along the long side of our playground.

Below are some videos of the hard work. You will also find a small report on our photo page.

PS: in the video below ‘Piet Rutten’ is mentioned at the end,

this is of course ‘Piet Ronnes’ (his lovely wife is called Rutten). 😉

April 26, 2023 - The start of ‘the big work’, the excavation of our 16 jeu de boules courts to install proper drainage, has begun. Rini van Woerkum and Antoon van Mil have moved the billboards, removed the large banner (from the European Championships Pétanque 2022) and already removed some gravel from the courts.

Rini van Woerkum, General Board Member, hard at work.

This Saturday a group of association members will meet to remove the remaining gravel, after which it is up to the contractor to get to work (planning will follow soon).

When the courts are restored, we will ‘take off’: various tournaments are planned, of which we will of course inform you via our internet and Facebook page. 😊

PS: as you understand, there will NOT be played in ‘s-Hertogenbosch until further notice!

Drawings revised on May 11, 2023: this will be the solution!

April 19, 2023 - For the first time in a long time, our accommodation in ‘s‑Hertogenbosch was open again last evening. The rainwater had receded enough to be able to throw a boule at least once. There were about 20 people and it was old-fashioned fun! 😊 But, the pétanque courses were wet, actually: too wet. Not a problem in itself because good weather was promised (already last week), so that things would dry up. Unfortunately, the actual situation/current prediction turns out to be different ... 🌨️

From tomorrow to Sunday, there is a daily chance of >70% rain. Our courts, with the faulty drainage layer still underneath, simply cannot handle even half of the predicted rainfall. For that reason, it has been decided NOT to play in ‘s-Hertogenbosch this week, we will deviate.

This Wednesday evening (from 7:00 PM) and Saturday afternoon (from 2:00 PM) the members of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc are welcome again in Boulodrome L’Ammerzo of our befriended Jeu de Boules association L'Ammerzo. The address: Hoge Weiden 18, 5324 JC Ammerzoden.

Next week Monday but no later than Tuesday morning a further update.

PS: the selected contractor will receive an order to repair our jeu de boules courts within one week. ‘Everything’ will be removed and a proper drainage system will be installed underneath. 🥳

April 15, 2023 - It was all or nothing on the fourteenth and last day of the National Pétanque Competition 2022-2023. Away, in the very beautiful hall of Jeu de Boules club Dongen, the first team of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc had to win or at least achieve a draw to hold on to second place in the 6^th Division, at the expense of the team from Dongen. Antoon van Mil, Hans van Woerkum, Liesbeth van Ooijen - van Rooijen, Özlem Akdoğan, Rini van Woerkum and Theo van Wandelen played over three rounds in respectively doubles, triples and doubles form to achieve this goal.

The fact that the Dongense team is very experienced was immediately apparent from the opposition it gave during the first round. Nevertheless, the team from ‘s-Hertogenbosch won two out of three doubles matches (13‑7, 13‑7 and 7‑13). Score: 2‑1 in favour of P.U. Bois le Duc 1.

It was now important to continue in the triples round, something that succeeded in the previous meeting with Dongen. Now, however, both triples teams left the field empty-handed (8‑13, 10‑13), leaving P.U. Bois le Duc 1 facing a 2‑3 deficit. In the last doubles round, therefore, at least two wins had to be achieved in order to tie at all.

It was decided to divide the forces by setting up two strong double teams and one less strong. The choice seemed to be the right one at first because, despite the loss of the less strong team on paper, both the double team Hans van Woerkum/Özlem Akdoğan and the double team Antoon van Mil/Liesbeth van Ooijen - van Rooijen got off to a strong start. However, halfway through the game, the game of the first double team collapsed and, despite a big lead, was unfortunately lost (11‑13), which put the score at 2‑5 in the disadvantage of P.U. Bois le Duc 1: Dongen had already won. The double team Van Mil/Van Ooijen - van Rooijen did what it had to do from a sporting point of view to secure the honour and, driven by the loss already suffered, overran the opponent: 13-7. This brought the final score to 3-5, making P.U. Bois le Duc 1 finishing third in the 6^th Division.

It was the first time in the short history of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc that a team participates in a National Pétanque competition. The board is therefore very proud of the progress made by the team in terms of team spirit and (technical) teamwork: a nice prelude to next year! 😊

For the results of all fourteen matchdays, click here.

April 7, 2023 - Today, ten associations and foundations from the districts Maaspoort, De Kruiskamp, ​​De Schutskamp and Engelen received a contribution from the environmental fund of Windpark De Rietvelden. During a public meeting in De Buurtparaplu on the Kooikersweg, ‘the lucky ones’ each received a check. The ten recipients spend the amount on initiatives that benefit sustainability or quality of life. In the case of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc, the money is used to solve the drainage problems.

April 4, 2023 - Our jeu de boules courts in ‘s‑Hertogenbosch are currently closed due to drainage problems. We are working hard on a final solution, until then there will NOT be played in ‘s‑Hertogenbosch and we deviate to Jeu de Boules association L’Ammerzo in Ammerzoden.

For now, we temporarily play in Ammerzoden on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 PM (start of the 1^st game: 7:30 PM) and on Saturday afternoons from 2:00 PM (start of the 1^st game: 2:30 PM). Address: Hoge Weiden 18, 5324 JC Ammerzoden.

Note: our association members receive a message via WhatsApp if the jeu de boules hall in Ammerzoden is closed due to, for example, a tournament or another matter there.

Why are we not playing in ’s-Hertogenbosch (for now)?

As can be seen in this video, made after a few relatively dry weeks, you can see how the top layer of our jeu de boules courts has been damaged beyond repair. In this photo collage you can see the status of the courts in recent months.

As you understand it is very important that we reopen our thriving association as soon as possible in order to restore social contacts. After all, the association is not the sport or the courts, it's the people who come! The social loss that the temporary closure entails is simply too great.

We will keep you informed of developments via our news and Facebook page.

For more information, but also for questions and/or comments à Contact us, we'll be happy to help you out! 😊

March 25, 2023 - On the thirteenth matchday of the 6^th Division of the National Pétanque Competition 2022-2023, P.U. Bois le Duc 1 met the 2^nd team of Jeu de Boules association L’Ammerzo from Ammerzoden in their own home. The home team was eager to sell their skins dearly against the league’s number 2, P.U. Bois le Duc 1, and therefore offered strong but sporty resistance.

The well-coordinated team of ‘s-Hertogenbosch -, consisting of Liesbeth van Ooijen - van Rooijen, Özlem Akdoğan, Hans van Woerkum, Theo van Wandelen, Rini van Woerkum and Antoon van Mil ‑, started the first round in doubles form with a full win: 13-3, 13-7 and 13-8. The team from Ammerzoden immediately had the sporting check.

The tone turned out to be set because in the second round the full victory was also achieved in triples form by the residents of ‘s-Hertogenbosch: 13-8 and 13-3. By winning the second round, the score came to 5-0, with which the day victory and the three points were already safe.

The third round, again in doubles form, would not detract much from the day’s result and (possibly unnoticed) P.U. Bois le Duc 1 therefore started a bit too easy with their play. The double Van Wandelen/Van Woerkum lost (8-13) where the double Van Ooijen - van Rooijen/Van Woerkum managed to win (13-8). The Bossche players Akdoğan/Van Mil, who had been playing almost flawlessly for two rounds, seemed to have collapsed a bit and faced a 9‑11 deficit in a difficult match. However, due to their playing experience and cold-bloodedness, the double managed to pull the longest straw (13-11) so that the day victory was eventually achieved with 7‑1.

Another nice boost on the way to the last competition day on Saturday, April 15^th in Dongen. There, P.U. Bois le Duc 1 must win or at least play a draw to become ‘best of the rest’ in the 6^th Division right behind Jeu de Boules association Petangske from Bergen op Zoom.

To find out where P.U. Bois le Duc 1 has to play on Saturday, April 15^th coming, click here. For the current standings, look here.

March 24, 2023 - The status of our pétanque courts today, after a few days of continuous rain. What a sad sight ... 😞

It looks more like a swimming pool than a pétanque accommodation (pictures: Marco Tijl).

But the sun is shining on the horizon: we have been offered real help. To be continued! 🙂

Apart from the current water problem: it is time for a pétanque hall in our city, one where other pétanque clubs from ‘s-Hertogenbosch can also go in bad weather. In every villae around our beautiful Burgundian city there is one with 12 or more indoor courts and with far fewer inhabitants. Everything in its time but we’re going for it! 😉

March 23, 2023 - Just like his brother Rini, Hans van Woerkum was already active in the training committee and he is a player in P.U. Bois le Duc 1. Like his brother earlier this month, Hans joins the daily board as of today, also as ‘General Board member’, after a clear and almost unanimous vote by the members. Welcome on (the) board! 😉

March 16, 2023 - He was already active in the training committee and is a player in P.U. Bois le Duc 1, but now Rini van Woerkum is also active as a board member. At the General Members Meeting 2023, Rini was unanimously elected ‘General Board Member’. Welcome on (the) board! 😉

March 15, 2023 - Two of our association heroes, John Branderhorst and Piet Ronnes, count votes in the provincial elections and earn some money for our association. Well done guys! 🤗

F.l.t.r.: John Branderhorst and Piet Ronnes in the polling station in the Reformed Church Liberated

at Evertsenstraat 35 in ‘s-Hertogenbosch.

March 13, 2023 - To assess whether the groundwater level is an (additional) problem for our saturated bowling alleys, father and son Adrie and Robin Lamoré of EnviroTerra installed two monitoring wells today. They also measured the runway height, relative to the Normal Amsterdam Level (NAP). Their first conclusion: the groundwater is well below the court surface, the problem really lies in the lack of drainage due to the settling rubble under the gralux top layer. Nevertheless, the groundwater level will be measured in the coming weeks to ensure that there are no major fluctuations.

Adrie Lamoré places the protective housing over the monitoring well.

Despite the fact that it rains less, the water does not move away from the jeu de boules courts.

Son Robin carefully assesses the soil sample taken, father Adrie notes its properties.

Our special thanks to EnviroTerra for selflessly placing the monitoring wells and the instruction on how to measure the groundwater level by means of a so-called ‘plopper’.

March 11, 2023 - It was an extremely sporty meeting between the number one and number two of the 6^th Division of the National Pétanque Competition 2022-2023. On the indoor courts of Boulodrome L’Ammerzo in Ammerzoden, P.U. Bois le Duc 1 met the undisputed leader of the 6^th Division, Jeu de Boules association Petangeske from Bergen op Zoom. It was played on the cutting edge.

The Bossche team, now well attuned to each other, started the first doubles round with a win. Ruud van Hintum and Corrie van Mil - de Looijer won with no less than 13-0! The Van Woerkum brothers came into play very well but unfortunately too late and lost: 7-13. Liesbeth van Ooijen - van Rooijen and Antoon van Mil played against a very constant opponent and, due to changing play, were just unable to win: 12-13. Intermediate score: 1-2 for Bergen op Zoom.

In their first meeting with the team of Petangeske, P.U. Bois le Duc 1 managed to win both triplets games in the second round. The team of ‘s-Hertogenbosch therefore set off in good spirits to achieve the same performance. The triplet Van Hintum, Van Woerkum and Van Woerkum played a strong game but failed to win: 8-13. The triplet Van Mil - de Looijer, Van Mil and Van Ooijen - van Rooijen seemed to go down ingloriously with a 1-10 behind but managed to bounce back and win 13-12. Their win kept the tension present with a 2-3 score in favor of the visitors.

Due to past performance, P.U. Bois le Duc 1 is too far behind Petangske’s team in the standings of the 6^th Division. Even with a day victory, the team would remain ‘best of the rest’ if the team from Bergen op Zoom would loose (unexpectedly) in the next two rounds of the competition. Fueled by this thought, but also in the knowledge that both teams are evenly matched, the team of ‘s‑Hertogenbosch entered the all-deciding round of doubles in good spirits. Goal: win at least two matches for a draw, but preferably three to win the day victory. Despite their good intentions, the Van Woerkum brothers lost relatively quickly 7-13. The double Van Ooijen - van Rooijen/Van Mil hit the strongest opponent and played a very solid match. However, with the score at 10-8 in favour of the Bossche doublet, the opponent shot a boule completely wrong but, almost magically, knocked out three(!) boules of the Bossche doublet. An unlikely lucky shot not in line with the rest of the game: 10-11. As a result, the team lost their continuous lead and, in fact, lost the game 10‑13 in the next round. The double Van Hintum/Van Mil - de Looijer ‘failed’ to complete their match as a victory by losing 12-13. As a result, the day victory went 2-6 to Petangeske. Statistically a huge difference but on the track only a few boules difference.

To find out where else P.U. Bois le Duc 1 has to play, click here. For the current standings, look here.

March 5, 2023 - …

TEMPORARILY CLOSED!

It has been definitively concluded that water remains on our jeu de boules courts for too long because the drainage is not sufficient. The draining rubble layer under the gralux top layer turns out to be the wrong kind of rubble: type 0/40, from dust to rubble. This layer was initially vibrated in, but settled even further over time, creating a kind of closed container in which water remains. The result: the gralux top layer remains wet, peels off and freezes to pieces. The whole has therefore changed into an irresistible sludge of gralux and gravel with a thickness of 4 to 5 cm. As a result, all sixteen jeu de boules courts have become completely unplayable. Even if we were to remove this layer, roll it and throw new gravel on it, the problem will continue to repeat itself as long as the drainage is not altered.

In this video, made after a few relatively dry weeks, you can see how the top layer of our jeu de boules courts has been damaged beyond repair. In this photo collage you can see the status of the courts in recent months (until the somewhat drier period now).

It is very important that we reopen our thriving association as soon as possible in order to restore social contacts. After all, the association is not the sport or the courts, it’s the people who come! The social loss that the temporary closure entails is simply too great. That is why a site survey took place last Friday by a renowned contractor in order to come to an adequate and, above all, future-proof solution with a sound drainage system. The proposed solution is shown in the drawing below.

Drawings revised on May 11, 2023: this will be the solution!

March 4, 2023 - In the hall of Jeu de Boules association L’Ammerzo in Ammerzoden, the members of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc present this afternoon played the ‘Ad hoc tournament’, a mixed tournament intended solely for their own association members. It was the second time that the event took place, following an initiative by Marco Tijl.

With twelve participants it was not very busy but very pleasant. After two rounds, initiator Marco Tijl and Chairman Antoon van Mil were neck to neck. Both men had 2 wins with 17 points. The third and final game was therefore decisive. Here Marco Tijl supposedly lost it by losing where Antoon van Mil, together with Christelien Hanssen - de Man, took the full price by winning 13‑2 against Inge Boonzaayer and Oly Sathia.

The top 3 of the ‘Ad hoc tournament’:

1)   Antoon van Mil - 3 wins, 28 points.

2)   Riet Heijmans - Verharen - 3 wins, 17 points.

3)   Marco Tijl - 2 wins, 14 points.

The participants in the ‘Ad hoc tournament’ on the indoor courts of Boulodrome L’Ammmerzo in Ammerzoden.

Standing f.l.t.r.: Christelien Hanssen - de Man, Antoon van Mil, Corrie van Mil - de Looijer,

Elly Smit (not visible), Johan de Koning, Inge Boonzaaijer, Gwenda Kok - Tijl and Riet Heijmans - Verharen.

Squatting f.l.t.r.: Hans van Woerkum, Theo van Wandelen, Marco Tijl and Oly Sathia.

Inge Boonzaayer was ‘last of the rest’ and received an unexpected poodle prize. She was so happy with it that she framed it. 😉

“Who does not honour small things, is not worthy of great things” Inge Boonzaadjer was

as happy as a child with her ‘jeu de poodle prize’.

March 4, 2023 - Just like that, a Friday evening in March. Board meeting at the Treasurer’s home. 🙂

There was plenty to discuss with the General Members’ Meeting of Thursday, March 16^th coming up.

F.l.t.r.: Antoon van Mil (Chairman), Ruud van Hintum (Treasurer) and Corrie van Mil - de Looijer (Secretary).

February 25, 2023 - Today, in the eleventh round of the 6^th Division of the National Pétanque Competition 2022-2023, the first team of P.U. Bois le Duc conducted good business. Away, in the hall of the Breda Jeu de Boules association Va-Tout, the team won 5-3 against the home team. With this, the Bossche team strengthened its second place in the 6^th Division.

With three competition days to go, JdB association Petangeske from Bergen op Zoom remains in the lead. On Saturday, March 11^th the team of Den Bosch will meet the Bergen op Zoom team. With a direct win, Petangeske will also have to lose one more time on the last two competition days or draw in order for P.U. Bois le Duc 1 to be promoted to the 5^th Division. So it remains exciting, but the down-to-earth expectation is that promotion will take another year.

Standing f.l.t.r.: Corrie van Mil - de Looijer, Rini van Woerkum, Theo van Wandelen, Hans van Woerkum en

Antoon van Mil. Squatting f.l.t.r.: Liesbeth van Ooijen - van Rooijen and Özlem Akdoğan.

To find out where else P.U. Bois le Duc 1 has to play, click here. For the current standings, look here.

February 11, 2023 - In the tenth round of the 6^th Division of the National Pétanque Competition 2022‑2023, the first team of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc met the fourth team of the Jeu de Boules club ‘t Dupke from Sint-Michielsgestel. Because the Bossche association does not have its own indoor courts, they again moved to Boulodrome L’Ammerzo in Ammerzoden. The players selected for this match day - namely: Antoon van Mil, Edith Pol - Willemsen, Hans van Woerkum, John Pol, Liesbeth van Ooijen - van Rooijen and Theo van Wandelen - played over three rounds in doubles, triplet and doubles form. Despite a rough start, a resounding victory was achieved.

In the first round, which is played in doubles format, P.U. Bois le Duc 1 narrowly won two out of three games. Liesbeth van Ooijen - van Rooijen and Antoon van Mil managed to win 13-12 from a 6‑12 deficit. This brought the score to 2-1 in favor of the players of ‘s-Hertogenbosch.

In the second round, which is played in triplet form, Rini van Woerkum replaced pointeur Theo van Wandelen. Despite moderate play, both triplets managed to win relatively easily: 13‑6 and 13-7. Intermediate score: 4-1.

In the last round, which again is played in doubles form, P.U. Bois le Duc only needed to win one game to secure the day win. For this, Theo van Wandelen returned to the team with renewed energy and, together with Hans van Woerkum, he quickly secured the day win with a 13‑4 victory (5‑1). Liesbeth van Ooijen - van Rooijen and Antoon van Mil followed their good example: 13‑4 (6-1). John Pol and Edith Pol - Willemsen put the proverbial icing on the cake by winning 13‑10. Final score: 7-1.

The profit strengthens P.U. Bois le Duc 1 her second place in the 6^th Division behind leader Petangske from Bergen op Zoom.

On Saturday, February 25^th P.U. Bois le Duc 1 plays an away match, against JdB association Va‑Tout in Breda. To find out where else P.U. Bois le Duc 1 has to play, click here. For the current standings, look here.

February 4, 2023 - Looking for new boules? Then look up our Sales page. Here you will find, in addition to a few used sets, dozens of brand new sets of stainless steel jeu de boules from the brands Intégrale and Jean Blanc at a low price (haggling is therefore not possible).

January 28, 2023 - In the ninth round of the National Pétanque Competition 2022-2023, the first team of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc met Jeu de Boules association ‘t Veer from Raamsdonksveer. Because the Bossche association does not have its own indoor courts, they moved to Boulodrome L’Ammerzo in Ammerzoden. The players selected for this match day -, being: Antoon van Mil, Corrie van Mil - de Looijer, Hans van Woerkum, Liesbeth van Ooijen - van Rooijen, Rini van Woerkum en Theo van Wandelen -, played over three rounds in doubles, triplet and doubles form. It was necessary to win to maintain second place in the 6^th Division, just one point away from leader Jeu de Boules association Petangeske from Bergen op Zoom. Unfortunately, the Bossche team failed to do this.

In the first round, which is played in doubles form, P.U. Bois le Duc 1 won only one of three games: 1‑2. The ‘catch-up race’ should therefore be run in the second round, in which it is played in triples form: the team form in which the Bossche team often excels. Unfortunately, one of both games was narrowly lost (12-13). Intermediate score: 1-3.

In the last doubles round, the players of ‘s-Hertogenbosch therefore had to win at least two out of three games, in order to draw even. Only with a win in all three games would the full win be achieved. The first two doubles matches were won relatively easily (13-1 and 13-10) so that the team was still on schedule, however, due to (mentally) bad play, the third match was lost painfully and unnecessarily (6-13). Final score: 4-4.

In the last doubles round, the players of ‘s-Hertogenbosch therefore had to win at least two out of three games, in order to draw even. Only with a win in all three games would the full win be achieved. The first two doubles matches were won relatively easily (13-1 and 13-10) so that the team was still on schedule, however, due to (mentally) bad play, the third match was lost painfully and unnecessarily (6-13). Final score: 4-4.

Due to the draw, JdB association Petangeske from Bergen op Zoom runs out on P.U. Bois le Duc, which, admittedly, still occupies second place in the 6^th Division. Only the number one is eventually promoted to the 5^th Division. A second direct meeting between the numbers 1 and 2 will take place on Saturday, March 11^th 2023 and will be decisive for the final ranking.

On Saturday, February 11^th P.U. Bois le Duc 1 plays an away game, against Jeu de Boules club ‘t Dupke from Sint-Michielsgestel. That meeting will also take place in the hall of Jeu de Boules association L’Ammerzo from Ammerzoden. To find out where else P.U. Bois le Duc 1 has to play, click here. For the current standings, look here.

January 20, 2023 - Today Knuvers Sport delivered the first specimens of our association uniform. The clothing looks spectacular and is of high quality. For the ladies, the polo shirt, vest and raincoat are fitted.

Now we are going to make an inventory of which of our members wants to purchase the uniform in order to reduce the price as much as possible by ordering on a larger scale. Of course we are recommended for clothing sponsors. 😉

On the photos below you can see the mock-up of our association uniform.

January 18, 2023 - In the hall of the Jeu de Boules association L’Ammerzo from Ammerzoden, the ‘Test of Competence’ was taken tonight for the ‘Basic Referee’ course. Under the watchful eye of NJBB examiners Ruben van Stockum and Ad van Helvoort, nine candidates had to perform various measurement exercises, accompanied by a small role-play. Previously, the candidates had successfully passed their theory test, a condition for taking part in the ‘Test of Competence’.

In the end, six people passed the exam, including our Chairman Antoon van Mil and the Chairman of our befriended association L’Ammerzo, Luc Timmers. Just like the other graduates, they can now call themselves qualified NJBB referees. Congratulations! 🥳

F.l.t.r.: Luc Timmers and Antoon van Mil.

January 17, 2023 - He will not lack water for the time being, our brand new hornbeam planted today by Ludo van Mil, co-owner of Van Mil - Essenstam Boomverzorging V.O.F. from Den Dungen. Just after a few weeks of extreme rainfall, which prevented us from playing on our jeu de boules courts, we are nevertheless thinking ahead with regard to the decoration of the terrain.

Ludo van Mil with the sponsored hornbeam.

With periodic maintenance by Van Mil, the hornbeam will grow into a place of shelter and coolness: something that is not unimportant on hot summer days. 😊 Now it’s waiting for consistently nice weather. 🌞

Need a tree expert? Go to www.vanmilenessenstam.nl for more information.

January 16, 2023 - It is official! With the confirmation of co-director Gerhard van Keulen, Bakery Van Keulen will also be ‘official sponsor’ of the ‘Bossche bollen mix’ in 2023. These are six separate mixed tournaments in which you can participate individually and for which a playing license is not required. In fact, don’t you have any boules? Then you can borrow them from us for free. The best ten players receive, depending on their position in the final ranking, an ‘x’ number of Bossche bollen, sponsored completely selflessly by Bakery Van Keulen. 😊

Do you want to know when the ‘Bossche bollen mix’ takes place? Then click on the flyer below.

January 14, 2023 - In the eighth round of the National Pétanque Competition 2022-2023, the first team of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc met Jeu de Boules association Altena from Sleeuwijk. Because the Sleeuwijk association, like the Bossche association, does not have its own indoor courts, the teams played in Boulodrome L’Ammerzo in Ammerzoden.

The players selected for this match day -, being: Antoon van Mil, Edith Pol - Willemsen, Hans van Woerkum, John Pol, Liesbeth van Ooijen - van Rooijen en Özlem Akdoğan -, played over three rounds in doubles, triplet and doubles form. It was necessary to win to maintain second place in the 6^th Division, just one point away from leader Jeu de Boules association Petangeske from Bergen op Zoom.

It was a surprising meeting between the two teams: the Sleeuwijk team had a largely changed but above all stronger composition, which immediately led to long and exciting matches in the first round of doubles. The doubles team Van Mil/Van Ooijen - van Rooijen managed to win convincingly, just like the doubles team Akdoğan/Van Woerkum (13-9 and 13-8), where the third doubles team Pol/Pol - Willemsen had to win ‘from afar’ by turning a deficit into a 13-12 win. 3‑0 for P.U. Bois le Duc 1.

P.U. Bois le Duc 1 normally excels in the second round, which is played in triplet form, but this time one of the two games was lost. The triplet Van Mil/Van Woerkum/Van Ooijen - van Rooijen passed her opponent relatively easily (13-5). The Pol/Pol - Willemsen/Akdoğan triplet had a tougher day and lost 7-13, despite a late catch-up. Intermediate score: 4-1.

In the last doubles round, the team from ‘s-Hertogenbosch still had to win one out of three games to take the full win and three points. In the same line-up as the first round, the team quickly won two doubles: Pol/Pol - Willemsen: 13-3, Van Woerkum/Akdoğan: 13-9. Thanks to the excellent play of pointeur Van Ooijen - van Rooijen the third doubles game was also narrowly won with 13‑12, eventually with an all-decisive boule at a playing distance of about 13 meters: shooter Van Mil coolly finished the game, so that the second doubles round was completely won. Final score: 7‑1.

Standing f.l.t.r.: Liesbeth van Ooijen - van Rooijen, John Pol, Edith Pol - Willemsen and Hans van Woerkum.

Squatting f.l.t.r.: Antoon van Mil and Özlem Akdoğan.

On Saturday, January 28^th P.U. Bois le Duc 1 plays an away game, against Jeu de Boules association ‘t Veer from Raamsdonksveer. That meeting will take place in the hall of Jeu de Boules association L’Ammerzo from Ammerzoden.

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

January 7, 2023 - Because our outdoor courts in ‘s-Hertogenbosch are still recovering from the frost that came out of the ground and the subsequent prolonged excessive rainfall, we played indoors today in Boulodrome L’Ammerzo in Ammerzoden. At the initiative of Marco Tijl, our Chairman (Antoon van Mil) organised the ‘Ad hoc tournament’, a mixed tournament intended solely for the association members of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc. No less than 19 association members were present and that is, given the ‘last minute’ organisation of the tournament, a very nice turnout.

The participants played three matches on time (30 minutes per round) with different teammates and opponents. The final victory went to Liesbeth van Ooijen - van Rooijen, she was the only one to win all three games with no less than 26 points. Second place went to Henri Pachen with 2 wins and 13 points. Willem Warnaar closed the top three: 2 wins, 9 points.

F.l.t.r.: Henri Pachen (2^nd), Liesbeth van Ooijen - van Rooijen (1^st) and Willem Warnaar (3^rd).

Click here for the final standings and here for all photos of the ‘Ad hoc tournament’.

Dutch Pétanque Association (NJBB): 3035

Dutch Chamber of Commerce: 66425654

ASN Bank: NL80 RBRB 0200 4914 82

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