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 2026

You can read the news items of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc from 2026 here.

April 25, 2026 - This weekend, the Dutch tête-à-tête (singles) championship, organised by the Dutch Pétanque Association (NJBB), is taking place on the pétanque courts at PC De Gooiers in Loosdrecht. Today, - on Saturday -, the qualifying rounds were played, and tomorrow, - on Sunday ‑, the final rounds will be played, in which only the top 32 players are eligible to participate. A total of 125 men and 47 women took part.

Marco Tijl and Antoon van Mil represented Pétanque Union Bois le Duc in the men’s competition. Despite showing flashes of good form, both players managed to win just one out of five matches in the so-called Swiss system: nowhere near enough to qualify for the final day. Nevertheless, both men look back on a highly educational, enjoyable, and above all sporting and very well-organised day, for which the numerous volunteers from PC De Gooiers had really pulled out all the stops to support the championship participants. From parking attendants and guidance on arrival to an extremely professional opening ceremony with the mayor of Hilversum, the chairman of NOC*NSF and the chairman of the NJBB, all hosted by Lieke Vogels, a member of the national council but above all chairman of PC De Gooiers. In terms of organisation, the volunteers from PC De Gooiers had dotted every ‘I’ and crossed every ‘t’: a huge compliment is in order, and it sets the stage perfectly for the final day! 😊

April 22, 2026 - The greatness of a pétanque tournament lies not in the number of participants, but in the participants themselves and the interaction between them. It is precisely the intimate scale of the ‘Bossche summer night games’ that allows participants to get to know one another better, which not only creates a friendly atmosphere but also makes for equally friendly matches. Winning is great, but playing with and against one another takes precedence, as was the case during the first edition of this sporting pétanque event for doubles.

Three pre-drawn rounds were played and, given the number of teams, the competition continued not just until the scheduled time but until 13 points had been reached. At the end of what turned out to be a rather chilly evening, the pair of Ruud van Hintum and Niek Buskop emerged as winners with 3 wins and 23 points. Jan Arnold and Inge Boonzaaijer finished in second place, with two wins and 12 points. With the same number of wins and points, Johan de Koning and Theo van Wandelen finished in third place, based on the result of the first match: this was won by the Arnold/Boonzaaijer pair with a higher score.

The winners of the ‘Bossche summer night games’. F.l.t.r.: Johan de Koning, Niek Buskop,

Inge Boonzaaijer, Ruud van Hintum, Jan Arnold and Theo van Wandelen.

The next ‘Bossche summer night games’ takes place on Wednesday, May 27. Before, on Saturday, May 9 -, another ‘Bossche bollen mix’ will take place. More information: click on the flyers shown below.

April 17, 2026 - LOOKING FOR AN AFFORDABLE STAFF OUTING THAT WILL BE REMEMBERED?

Spring has begun and summer is steadily approaching. Before everyone heads off for the summer break, now is the perfect time for that famous annual staff outing. A fun get-together with an enjoyable activity and, of course, plenty of good food and drink! 🍻🍷🥩🌞

Pétanque Union Bois le Duc has a unique offer for your company outing. No other activity offers the chance to get to know at least nine colleagues, - in a playful way -, through the accessible and, moreover, affordable game of pétanque. Round it all off with a professional barbecue or hot buffet and … SUCCESS GUARANTEED! 🏆

Read all about our offer here or click on the image below.

Would you like to request a no-obligation quote?

Please send an email to events@puboisleduc.nl or call Antoon van Mil on +31613531310. ✉️📞

April 13, 2026 - Thanks to Danny Princen from Voetbalshop.nl (formerly: Princen Sport), the new Pétanque Union Bois le Duc clothing line is now available in our online shop! 🥳

(click here or on the logo above to go to the webshop!)

April 12, 2026 - ‘BOULES IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD 2026’ PROMOTES SOCIAL COHESION

On Tuesday, May 19, ‘Boules in your Neighbourhood’ will kick off, a programme aimed at improving social cohesion in ‘s-Hertogenbosch through the accessible game of pétanque. For four weeks, activities will take place at a local pétanque court in Rosmalen, Den Bosch Center, Maaspoort and De Schutskamp respectively. The aim is (primarily) to get older people active, combat loneliness and provide an opportunity to forge new friendships. All this whilst enjoying a cup of coffee or tea. ☕🍵

(click here or on the logo above for more information!)

Recipe for success

Jan Arnold (72), Paul van den Broek (78) and Lex van Amerongen (64), - all three residents of our beautiful capital of Noord-Brabant and prominent members of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc -, are the driving force behind ‘Boules in your Neighbourhood’. The event was also organised in 2024 and 2025 and was considered a modest success at the time. Reason enough for the gentlemen to continue the programme and the chosen format in 2026 with just as much passion as before. ❤️

Everyone can join in for free!

Young and old alike are welcome, and taking part in ‘Boules in your Neighbourhood’ is free of charge. Equipment is also provided free of charge. A court coach is always on hand at the playing venues to welcome participants. This volunteer, from P.U. Bois le Duc, also helps participants get to grips with the rules of the game. He or she will lead the activities to help everyone get to know one another. The organisers have left nothing to chance in this regard, all with the aim of making this another successful event. 😊

Would you like to participate or just drop by for a visit?

Are you interested in participating or just dropping by one of the locations without obligation? You are welcome! You can register on site, but preferably in advance using the online registration form. You can participate once or on all days and/or locations. Everything is allowed, nothing is mandatory. 😉

Every little bit helps ...

Would you like to help us make ‘Boules in your Neighbourhood 2026’ an even greater social success? Download the event poster here and publish it (digitally) wherever you think it will add value. 😊

April 12, 2026 - No fewer than five members of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc took part in the NJBB Southeast District tête-à-tête championship today. On the courts of PV Wij Liggen in Schijndel, Antoon van Mil, Johan de Koning, Marco Tijl and Theo van Wandelen competed in the men’s event, whilst Corrie van Mil - de Looijer tried her luck in the women’s. The whole event was organised by a sixth member of the association from ‘s‑Hertogenbosch, as Liesbeth van Ooijen-van Rooijen acted as NJBB competition director.

The 24 male participants in total, divided into groups of four players, each played three preliminary rounds. De Koning and Van Mil managed to qualify convincingly for the last eight, but Tijl and Van Wandelen were eliminated in the preliminary rounds, meaning the championship was over for them straight away. In the quarter-finals, De Koning was unfortunately unable to maintain the form he had shown in the preliminary rounds and lost to Henk van der Loo, playing for the JdB association L’Ammerzo from Ammerzoden (11‑13). Van Mil came back strongly from a 0-5 deficit and eventually won 13-9, securing his place in the semi-finals. There he faced Brian Schampers, playing for PV Amicale Cuijk. Schampers was on top form and Van Mil failed to capitalise. It turned into a relatively one-sided match, which he lost 2-13. As a result, Van Mil finished in joint 3^rd/4^th place. Schampers powered on and eventually went on to win the championship. 🥉

April 11, 2026 - PÉTANQUE: A GAME THAT BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER

With a small but very friendly group of sporty participants, the unifying power of the ‘Bossche bollen mix’ was once again clearly evident. Winning is fun, but it’s not usually the main priority at this open pétanque tournament. It is precisely the relaxed social interaction that makes this event, sponsored by Bakery Van Keulen, so special.

To encourage social interaction and to offer an engaging format, players compete in three rounds, playing both with and against other participants. The winner is the player with the most matches won and the highest number of points. The top ten were in with a chance of winning Bossche bollen (chocolate bulbs filled with whipped cream) supplied by Bakery Van Keulen, but Pétanque Union Bois le Duc had expanded ‘the price pool’ so that no one went home empty-handed. For the other participants, a tape measure was on hand, stylishly featuring the association’s logo.

Marcel van Keulen took top honours by convincingly winning all three of his matches with a whopping 34 points. Elly Smit finished not far behind him: 3 wins, 32 points. Third place went to Johan de Koning with 2 wins and 12 points.

The price winners of the ‘Bossche bollen mix’.

On Wednesday evening, April 22^nd, the ‘Bossche summer night games’ for doubles will take place. If you have a partner and official boules, you are welcome to join in. Advance registration is recommended. On Saturday, May 9^th, another ‘Bossche bollen mix’ will take place. Registration is on the day, individual participation is possible and boules are provided free of charge. A small registration fee applies for both events. More information is available under the Events heading.

April 10, 2026 - Passion … For the game/sport of pétanque, but above all for THE COMMUNITY! This characterises our assocation, but also our chairman who, - together with an equally passionate group of volunteers -, is striving to create a multifunctional, centrally located meeting place. A venue which, in addition to facilities for the sport of pétanque, offers space for gatherings of residents, clubs and community organisations in the fields of games, sport and culture, all within a single sustainable building serving as the social heart of the neighbourhood. #FromMeToUs

The long haul is over (for now!) and our chairman posted what you might call a final sigh on LinkedIn, which we’d like to share to illustrate just how driven we at Pétanque Union Bois le Duc are to add value to the community of ‘s-Hertogenbosch by thinking ‘from me to us’!

April 8, 2026 - The second core values session with S-PORT club advisors Michiel Bulten and Jurgen van Geenen has now concluded. In the canteen of the Sports Hall Engelerhout in Engelen, a small but highly constructive group of members from Pétanque Union Bois le Duc gathered once again to work with the aforementioned gentlemen to define the association’s mission and vision for the future. A number of actions were also identified that can be tackled ‘right now’ to strengthen the association.

There is still much to be done, as was evident from the assessment carried out in a playful and subtle manner by completing tasks in small groups. The methodology used by both S-PORT club advisors to elicit information from the group was admirable. Furthermore, Michiel and Jurgen complement each other perfectly, which benefits the dynamics of the group they work with. They make a winning team! 🏆

April 4, 2026 - PRESSURE AND OPPONENT (!) PROVE ‘FATAL’ FOR P.U. BOIS LE DUC 1

After a poor start to the National Pétanque Competition, - with the first three match days played and lost in windy tent halls, meaning the team from ‘s-Hertogenbosch struggled to maintain their focus due to all the external factors they had to contend with, whereas their opponents did not -, P.U. Bois le Duc 1 had to win their final matchday by at least 6-2 to be promoted to the 3^rd Division. A victory by this margin was necessary to stay ahead of the number two in the rankings, PV ’t Lover 2 from Asten, with certainty. To achieve this, the team from ‘s‑Hertogenbosch therefore had to secure a convincing victory over JdB association Cloeck & Moedigh 1 from Sint‑Oedenrode, ‘at home’ at Boulodrome L’Ammerzo in Ammerzoden: the venue they are forced to use because the tent halls are simply not adequate for competition purposes.

The team from ‘s-Hertogenbosch was under pressure, - this became apparent straight away in the first round of doubles -, and the pressure to win proved too much. They lost two out of three matches against an opponent who, incidentally, played very strongly and had nothing left to lose. With scores of 5-13, 13-10 and 9-13 respectively, the scoreboard showed a 1-2 deficit, immediately jeopardising the ‘6-2’ target. In the triples round, P.U. Bois le Duc 1 fared little better. The opponents played strongly once again, whilst the team from ‘s-Hertogenbosch hesitantly tried to fight back. With two wins (8-13, 5-13), the Sint-Oedenrode side extended their lead to 1‑4, effectively ending P.U. Bois le Duc 1’s promotion hopes straight away. The final doubles round was therefore merely a formality, but, - despite the fact that there was nothing left for the team from ‘s‑Hertogenbosch to win and they could play freely -, they managed just one win here too (13‑8, 4‑13, 6‑13). Final score: 2‑6 in favour of Cloeck & Moedigh 1, who played in an extremely sportsmanlike manner. With this defeat, P.U. Bois le Duc 1 does, however, retain its position in the 4^th Division, which is in itself a significant achievement given the young age of the association, which was founded in 2022. Last week, however, P.U. Bois le Duc 2 did secure promotion from the 5^th Division, meaning the team will also compete in the 4^th Division next year.

P.U. Bois le Duc congratulates PV ‘t Lover 2 on their promotion to the 3^rd Division!

April 2, 2026 - Warmer weather is on its way, as are the now famous ‘Bossche bollen mixes’ from Pétanque Union Bois le Duc. As in previous years, the pétanque association from ‘s‑Hertogenbosch is once again organising six editions of this friendly and accessible event this year. The first edition will take place on Saturday, April 11th, at the premises of this long-established local association, located at Sportpark De Schutskamp.

The ‘Bossche bollen mix’ is a round-robin tournament open to individual participants. No playing licence is required, anyone can take part. Three matches will be played, with different opponents in each game. There are plenty of boules available to borrow, and best of all, they’re free. The top ten participants will receive delicious Bossche bollen (chocolate bulbs filled with whipped cream), generously sponsored by Bakery Van Keulen. The entry fee is € 3.- and registration is available on the day from 10.30 AM. The first match starts at 11.00 AM. Location: P.U. Bois le Duc, De Fuik 10, ‘s-Hertogenbosch (NL).

Note: P.U. Bois le Duc has six covered pétanque courts at its disposal. Come rain or shine, the ‘Bossche bollen mix’ will always go ahead!

April 1, 2026 - Thanks to our sponsor OTUB, we’ll be giving away 100 sets of boules this coming Wednesday afternoon! So, if you’d like a free set of boules, come along at 1:00 PM on Wednesday to join in our association afternoon: and who knows, you might just get a free set! 😊 Address: De Fuik 10, ‘s-Hertogenbosch (NL).

March 28, 2026 - PROMOTION WITHOUT A HOME GROUND: HOW ‘S‑HERTOGENBOSCH IS FAILING TO SUPPORT ALL ITS ATHLETES

As a relatively new sports association, founded in 2022, Pétanque Union Bois le Duc is making great strides on the sporting front. Once again, the association has managed to secure promotion: on Saturday, P.U. Bois le Duc 2 secured the championship in the 5^th Division - Group 5003 with a 4‑4 draw, away in Berlicum against PV Mooie Boule 4. As a result, the team will compete in the 4^th Division of the National Pétanque Competition next season: a major achievement for the pétanque association from ‘s-Hertogenbosch. P.U. Bois le Duc 1 could also secure promotion, for the third year in a row. To do so, the team must still beat JdB association Cloeck & Moedigh 1 from Sint-Oedenrode. As with all ‘home matches’, the team from ‘s-Hertogenbosch must travel to Ammerzoden for this fixture, due to the lack of a fully-fledged pétanque facility within the municipal boundaries of ‘s-Hertogenbosch. Whereas every village and town around the capital of Noord-Brabant has facilities with at least 12 indoor and 32 outdoor courts, P.U. Bois le Duc has to make do with ice-cold tent halls that are unsuitable for competition.

P.U. Bois le Duc’s recent promotion to a higher division in the National Pétanque Competition would be a source of pride, visibility and investment in any town, yet in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, the response has been strikingly muted. In fact, the association cannot even celebrate its success in its own town by hosting home matches. Due to the lack of proper facilities, it is forced to relocate to Ammerzoden. A distressing situation that raises the question: how seriously does the council actually take its own sports policy? According to the council, the sports facilities are, in fact, in good order. “People outside the city look on enviously at our facilities,” was a statement made earlier this year during the official launch of the Bossche Sports Council. A statement that clashes painfully with the reality at P.U. Bois le Duc. For what does ‘in good order’ mean if an association that is beginning to perform at national level has no suitable venue to organise matches? The contrast between policy and practice could scarcely be greater. Pétanque may not be a mass spectator sport like soccer or hockey, but it is certainly a recognised and growing sport with a strong association culture. Moreover, P.U. Bois le Duc represents the city at national level. That should be precisely the reason to support this sport, not to literally push it out of the city.

P.U. Bois le Duc’s decision to relocate to Ammerzoden is not a luxury, but a last resort. For players, it means extra travel time, a weaker connection to the city and a loss of ‘home advantage’. For supporters and those involved, it raises the barrier to attending matches. And for ‘s‑Hertogenbosch itself, it represents a missed opportunity to showcase and capitalise on sporting successes locally. After all, pétanque is not just a sport but also a socially inclusive and accessible game in which anyone can take part, on an individual level and at very low cost: a set of boules is all that is needed.

What do you mean, ‘s-Hertogenbosch has its accommodations in order …

This issue is part of a wider trend. Local authorities like to promote themselves through sports policy, inclusivity and healthy lifestyles, but in practice, attention often focuses on the largest and most visible sports. Smaller sports , - however successful they may be -, fall between two stools. The result: associations that have to fend for themselves, even when they are performing at increasingly higher levels. That is not only unfair, but also short-sighted. It is precisely the diversity of sports that makes a city attractive and vibrant. Furthermore, as a game, pétanque is an activity which, within a rapidly ageing society, encourages exercise and socialising among (particularly) older people in a very accessible way. A good sports policy looks beyond visitor numbers and media interest: it also supports both grassroots and elite levels in lesser-known disciplines.

The situation surrounding P.U. Bois le Duc should serve as a wake-up call for the Municipality of ‘s‑Hertogenbosch. Not only to provide suitable facilities, but also to take a critical look at its own priorities. After all, a city that claims its sports facilities are ‘up to standard’ must be able to deliver on that promise for all sports, not just the big names. Furthermore, P.U. Bois le Duc has detailed multifunctional plans, not just for a pétanque hall but for the creation of a multifunctional, centrally located meeting place which, in addition to facilities for the sport of pétanque, offers space for gatherings of residents, clubs and community organisations in the fields of games, sport and culture, all within a single sustainable facility serving as the social heart of the neighbourhood.

Until then, Pétanque Union Bois le Duc’s promotion remains a bittersweet milestone: a sporting success that cannot be celebrated at home. And that perhaps says more about the town than about the association itself, an association that has already formed a third(!) team for the coming competition season, making the problem even more pressing.

Championship-winning team P.U. Bois le Duc 2. Standing f.l.t.r.: Inge Boonzaaijer, Johan de Koning, Marc Reijven,

Elly Smit, Ronald Crombeen, Jan Arnold and Marco Tijl. Squatted f.l.t.r.: Gwenda Kok - Tijl and Theo van Wandelen.

March 21, 2026 - If there was one word that summed up both Pétanque Union Bois le Duc teams today, it was ‘resilience’. Both P.U. Bois le Duc 1 and P.U. Bois le Duc 2, - each for their own reasons -, had a relatively long way to go in the National Pétanque Competition 2025-2026, even though both teams are at the top of the table in the 4^th Division and the 5^th Division respectively.

In Best, P.U. Bois le Duc 1 faced PC Amitié Best 1, and a win was essential to stay top of the 4^th Division. However, the opposition had prepared shrewdly. Not only did they have the obvious advantage of home ground, but the courts had also been made quite wet, making the shooting of a boule an even more precise task. Placing a boule (known as ‘pointing’ in the jargon) therefore became even more crucial, and it was in this respect that the opponents’ knowledge of the terrain worked to their advantage. After the first doubles round, the team from ‘s-Hertogenbosch found themselves, surprisingly, trailing 1-2 (13-6, 5-13, 10-13). Something had to be done and, with what appeared to be a clever team selection, they set about the triples round in high spirits. But it was as if the players from ‘s-Hertogenbosch had been struck by lightning, as both triples teams found themselves trailing by a wide margin in no time at all (0‑10, 2-7). However, thanks to some clever substitutions, the tide was turned and they managed to win twice (13-10, 13-7). Interim score: 3‑2. To secure the day’s victory and retain the lead in the standings, at least two more matches had to be won in the final doubles rounds. One quick victory was secured (13-4), but almost just as quickly, a defeat followed (7-13). The final doubles match therefore became decisive: a win would mean victory for the day and retaining the top spot, a loss would mean a draw and relegation to second place. However, thanks to strong team spirit and tactical play, the full three points were secured, albeit narrowly (13-10). Final score: 5-3.

P.U. Bois le Duc 2, currently top of the 5^th Division, had something to prove. A week ago, they had lost 1-7 in Berlicum. So the team were under considerable pressure, as a defeat against PV Jeu de Bommel 3 would mean they would immediately lose their top spot. But the team staged a formidable comeback by winning all three matches of the first doubles round convincingly ‘at home’ in Ammerzoden (13-2, 13-6, 13-2). This put a 3-0 lead on the scoreboard, meaning they only needed to win two out of five matches to secure the day’s victory and retain the top spot. In the triples round, however, only one match was won (13-9, 5-13) and, with the intermediate score at 4-1, it all came down to the final doubles round. There, just one match needed to be won, and the team managed to do just that! With scores of 13-5, 9-13 and 10-13 respectively, a 5-3 victory was secured for the day, and the team retains the lead in the standings.

P.U. Bois le Duc 2. Standing f.l.t.r.: Gwenda Kok - Tijl, Johan de Koning, Marco Tijl, Inge Boonzaaijer,

Elly Smit and Ronald Crombeen. Squatted f.l.t.r.: Jan Arnold and Theo van Wandelen.

On Saturday, March 28^th, P.U. Bois le Duc 1 will play their penultimate league match ‘at home’ in Ammerzoden against PV ‘t Lover 4. A win is essential to remain top of the 4^th Division. The following week, the team must also beat JdB assocation Cloeck & Moedigh 1 from Sint-Oedenrode to secure promotion to the 3^rd Division. At the same time, P.U. Bois le Duc 2 will play their final competition match ‘away’ in Berlicum, against PV Mooie Boule 4. If the team wins or draws, promotion to the 4^th Division is immediately secured.

March 18, 2026 - Jan Arnold, Lex van Amerongen, Mieke Lakwijk and Piet Ronnes recently demonstrated their best qualities during the local council elections in ‘s‑Hertogenbosch. As volunteers, they helped with the vote count, an important task that requires accuracy, dedication and a sense of responsibility. Thanks to their contribution, the process ran smoothly and meticulously. 🥳

Their commitment is not only of great value to the democratic process, but also provides a nice bonus for our association. The remuneration they receive for their work goes towards funding our joint activities. In doing so, they kill two birds with one stone: they contribute to society and support our association. 💰

The board would therefore like to extend its heartfelt thanks to Jan, Lex, Mieke and Piet for their dedication and selfless commitment. Their enthusiasm and willingness to help others set an example for us all. 👍🏻

March 9, 2026 - How do you thank a true bon vivant, - who is stepping down after several years as Treasurer of our association -, in style? Naturally, it must be in keeping with his lifestyle, but also with the role of Treasurer. The thank-you gift therefore had to be something to do with food/drink/conviviality, but above all it couldn’t cost too much or, better still, anything at all. So our Chairman, Antoon van Mil, set out to find a suitable farewell gift for the outgoing Treasurer, Ruud van Noort. 🎁

In his search, the Chairman ended up at the Burgundian restaurant D’n Boerderij (nestled between Orthen and De Herven, just behind the residential area where the Carolus Hospital used to be). Earlier this year, he had enjoyed a truly delicious lunch there with a number of former colleagues, so he knew immediately where to go in his quest. For more than 25 years, the restaurant D’n Boerderij in ‘s-Hertogenbosch has been offering a taste of the good life, and he had already experienced that first-hand! The Burgundian atmosphere and Brabant hospitality are evident in every detail of this rustic and cosy restaurant. A perfect match for the vision of the outgoing Treasurer. 🍽️

Owner Paul Spijkers responded immediately and graciously to our Chairman’s playful proposal and donated a voucher for a fully catered lunch for two, which was presented to Ruud yesterday. This will allow Ruud and his wife to enjoy a cosy get-together in a warm setting. 😊

Would you like to experience the atmosphere and delicious food at D’n Boerderij? Visit www.dnboerderij.nl for more information. 💡

March 7, 2026 - It’s do or die for both teams from Pétanque Union Bois le Duc in the National Pétanque Competition 2025-2026. In the 4^th Division - Group 4003, P.U. Bois le Duc 1 is at the top of the rankings with just one more competition day win. The same applies to P.U. Bois le Duc 2 in the 5^th Division - Group 5003, albeit with a more comfortable lead. However, both teams need to keep winning to have a chance of promotion to the higher division.

In Ammerzoden, P.U. Bois le Duc 1 played ‘at home’ against PV Dommels Boeleke 1 from Valkenswaard. After a somewhat difficult start in the first round, in which two out of three doubles matches were won (2-1), the team from ‘s-Hertogenbosch managed to secure the full points by winning two matches in the subsequent triples round. This resulted in a relatively safe 4‑1 score on the scoreboard. To win the day, the team now only needed to win one of the three doubles matches in the third round. They succeeded in doing so, winning all three matches. Final score: 7‑1. P.U. Bois le Duc 1 thus retains the lead in the standings ahead of rival PV ‘t Lover 2 from Asten, but with an equal number of 16 points. There are still three match days left on the calendar, and all three must be won in order to be promoted to the 3^rd Division.

In the pétanque hall in Berlicum, P.U. Bois le Duc 2 seemed to be having an off day, as they never got off the ground against PV Mooie Boule 3. After the first round, in which three out of three doubles matches were lost, the team found itself trailing 0-3. The deficit remained the same (1‑4) after one win and one loss in the triples round. This meant that the best possible result was a draw, but to achieve this, the team from ‘s-Hertogenbosch would have to win all three doubles matches in the final round. This proved to be an impossible task and, in fact, they did not win a single match. Final score: 1-7. Despite the loss, P.U. Bois le Duc 2 remains at the top of the group table but will have to win the last two days of the competition.

The next competition day will take place on Saturday, March 21^st. P.U. Bois le Duc 1 will play ‘away’ in Best against PC Amitié Best 1. P.U. Bois le Duc 2 will play ‘at home’ in Ammerzoden against PV Jeu de Bommel 3 from Zaltbommel.

February 28, 2026 - In the 5^th Division - Group 5003 of the National Petanque Competition 2025‑2026, P.U. Bois le Duc 2, the leader of the rankings, played a catch-up match today. The team had to travel to Schijndel to take on PV Wij Liggen 3.

Due to the absence of one player, a substitute was brought in, which resulted in a somewhat sluggish start in the first doubles round. Nevertheless, two of the three matches were won (13‑7, 13‑12, 11‑13), giving the team from ‘s‑Hertogenbosch a 2-1 lead. In the subsequent triples round, this lead could not be extended, as one match was won and one lost: 13‑7, 12‑13. Interim score: 3‑1. To secure the day’s victory and remain at the top of the rankings, two of the three doubles matches in the final round had to be won. The team succeeded in doing so by winning all matches (13‑8, 13‑3, 13‑1), resulting in a convincing final score: 6‑2. With three competition days left, P.U. Bois le Duc 2 is on course for the championship and promotion to the 4^th Division.

The next competition day will take place on Saturday, March 7^th. P.U. Bois le Duc 1 will play ‘at home’ in Ammerzoden against PV Dommels Boeleke 1 from Valkenswaard. P.U. Bois le Duc 2 will play ‘away’ in Berlicum against PV Mooie Boule 3.

February 24, 2026 - While pickleball was being played in the adjacent sports hall, a session organised by the Sports and Recreation Department of the Municipality of ‘s-Hertogenbosch (S‑PORT) took place in the canteen of Sporthal Engelerhout for the members of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc. The aim of this session was to lay the foundations for a later determination of the core values of the relatively new pétanque association in ‘s-Hertogenbosch.

Led by association supporters Michiel Bulten and Jurgen van Geenen, the pétanque players were challenged to think outside the box and come up with creative alternatives, in order to gain the right insights into what makes the association so special that people love to come there.

An association without core values is essentially just doing whatever it feels like ...

During the session, which was expertly recorded by both gentlemen and characterised by openness and transparency, a wide variety of ideas were discussed. These were often accompanied by jokes and banter, keeping the atmosphere light-hearted but nevertheless highly constructive.

Based on the information obtained from the association members, the association supporters are now drawing up a draft of the core values, including a follow-up plan on how to further develop and concretise them. These core values can then be taken up and implemented by the association as a guideline for its daily policy.

One thing immediately stood out, namely the inclusive nature of the association. Pétanque Union Bois le Duc should be a place where everyone feels safe and welcome, regardless of origin, background or orientation.

The participants in the core values session. Squatted in the middle, f.l.t.r.: Jurgen van Geenen and Michiel Bulten.

At the end of what was a rather intensive session, both gentlemen were thanked in style by Chairman Antoon van Mil, who presented them with a number of delicious Bossche bollen (chocolate bulbs filled with delicious whipped cream) sponsored by Bakery Van Keulen.

February 21, 2026 - It was another exciting day for the teams from Pétanque Union Bois le Duc participating in the National Pétanque Competition 2025-2026. After the third team of Jeu de Boules club ‘t Dupke from Sint-Michielgestel had surprised the leader of the 4^th Division - Group 4003 on the previous competition day, the team from Sint-Michielsgestel now had to face P.U. Bois le Duc 1, the team they had made the new leader with their win. The team from ‘s‑Hertogenbosch had been warned ... At the same time, P.U. Bois le Duc 2 had to play away in Nijmegen against the second team of Jeu de Boules association De Valkatties. Like P.U. Bois le Duc 1, the team from ‘s‑Hertogenbosch was at the top of the 5^th Division - Group 5003 rankings, and the team from ‘s‑Hertogenbosch had to win to build a lead over the competition.

In Boulodrome L’Ammerzo in Ammerzoden, - where the teams of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc are forced to play their home matches -, P.U. Bois le Duc 1 got off to a good start with a 13-0 win in the first match of the first doubles round. The second win (13-9) followed relatively quickly, and a third win would have secured a comfortable lead. However, that lead failed to materialise due to a very narrow defeat (12-13). Interim score: 2-1. In the triples round, one match was converted into a win (11-13, 13-7), which meant that P.U. Bois le Duc 1 remained in the lead with 3-2, but had to win at least two of the three double matches to win the day and retain the lead in the 4^th Division. Thanks to a clever change in team composition, the team succeeded: 13-10, 6-13 and 13-3. Final score: 5-3.

As if it were meant to be, P.U. Bois le Duc 2 did exactly the same in Nijmegen as their colleagues from the first team. In the first doubles round, two matches were also won (13-7, 7-13, 13-4), resulting in a 2-1 score. One of the two triples matches was also won: 3-2. In order to maintain the lead in the 5^th Division and also extend the lead over the number 2, two doubles matches had to be won for the day’s victory. The now experienced team succeeded with verve, playing 13-6, 13-3 and 11-13 respectively. The spoils were theirs: 5-3. This puts P.U. Bois le Duc 2 three points clear of the number two in the rankings.

The next competition day will take place on Saturday, February 28^th. P.U. Bois le Duc 2 will play a catch-up match in Schijndel against PV Wij Liggen 3. The following week, - on Saturday, March 7^th ‑, both teams will play again. P.U. Bois le Duc 1 will play ‘at home’ in Ammerzoden against PV Dommels Boeleke 1 from Valkenswaard. P.U. Bois le Duc 2 will play ‘away’ in Berlicum against PV Mooie Boule 3.

February 7, 2026 - On the second day of the National Pétanque Competition 2025-2026, P.U. Bois le Duc 1 had to win away against PV Jeu de Bommel in Zaltbommel to remain in contention for the 4^th Division championship: the team was in second place in the interim standings at the start of the match day. P.U. Bois le Duc 2 had to win ‘at home’ in Ammerzoden against Pétanque-Vereniging Le Château from Wijchen to remain in the lead in the 5^th Division and keep their sights set on direct promotion.

In Ammerzoden, P.U. Bois le Duc 2 got off to a flying start by winning all three doubles matches in the first round (3-0). The opponent from Wijchen never recovered from this blow, as the team from ‘s‑Hertogenbosch secured a 7-1 final score with one win in the triples round (4-1), followed by three wins in the third round, again in doubles, thereby strengthening its lead in the 5^th Division - Group 5003.

On the courts of the Zaltbommel Pétanque Association Jeu de Bommel, P.U. Bois le Duc 1 fulfilled its promise to win, which was necessary to remain in the race for the championship. Thanks to a strong line-up, the scoreboard showed 3-0 for the team from ‘s-Hertogenbosch after the first round. Just like the second team, this lead was extended in the triples round with one win: 4-1. This meant that only one double had to be won in the final round for the day’s victory, but two were won. Final score: 6-2. Because the leader, PV ‘t Lover from Asten, lost 3-5 away in Sint-Michielgestel against JdB club ‘t Dupke, P.U. Bois le Duc 1 is back at the top of the 4^th Division - Group 4003 rankings. Promotion is in sight, but it will have to be achieved on its own merits: there can simply be no more losses in the last five days of the competition.

The next competition day will take place on Saturday, February 21^st 2026. P.U. Bois le Duc 1 will then play ‘at home’ in Ammerzoden against JdB club ‘t Dupke 3 (and has been warned!). P.U. Bois le Duc 2 will then play ‘away’ in Nijmegen against JdB association De Valkatties 2.

February 6, 2026 - SENIOREN ‘S-HERTOGENBOSCH WINS ‘THE BOSSCHE BALL GAME’

Now that the coalition formation in The Hague has been completed, it will soon be the turn of local politicians to do the same, following the municipal elections on March 18th. Once the citizens of the municipality of ‘s-Hertogenbosch have cast their votes, politicians in ‘s-Hertogenbosch will also have to get to work to form a new municipal council.

In view of what is written before, but above all to encourage the smooth formation of the municipal council of ‘s-Hertogenbosch in a sporting and positive manner, Pétanque Union Bois le Duc invited all (future) councillors and aldermen of our Noord-Brabant capital to a sporting networking event called ‘The Bossche ball game’ on Friday, February 6th. The aim was to give them an opportunity to get to know each other better, which will ultimately benefit the formation of coalitions within the municipal council.

Almost all political parties were present to determine who would win this ‘election battle’ over three rounds of competition in the temporary and at times very cold tent halls of the sports association from ‘s-Hertogenbosch. In each round, the politicians played with but also against other political parties. This meant that there were always four different political parties on one court. This rotation led to a number of surprising ‘coalitions’ in which human contact and getting to know each other prevailed over the (political) battle.

Between matches, the politicians not only had time to get to know each other better, but also to learn about the ambitious and multifunctional plans of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc. As a true local association, it wants to be at the heart of society, with the versatility of the accommodation to be realised being paramount. The idea is: why build something for yourself as an association when others can join in? This benefits the operation and sustainability of the accommodation, which then serves as a kind of community centre in addition to the game and sports element for the association. By cleverly linking up with the city’s development plans, Pétanque Union Bois le Duc hopes to make these plans a reality.

Just like in a real election campaign, only one party could win ‘The Bossche ball game’. That honour went to the brand-new party Senioren ‘s-Hertogenbosch, with the familiar political face of party leader and frontrunner Adriana Hernández. In the absence of her party colleague, she played all three rounds of the competition with verve. On her own, she managed to leave all the other political parties in ‘s-Hertogenbosch behind with the same energy with which she recently founded the party. From the hands of Chairman Antoon van Mil, she received a challenge cup and six medals to be awarded to her party colleagues. Ms Hernández showed consideration for the parties she played with and handed out the medals on the spot. Hopefully, the formation of the municipal council coalition will be just as sporting.

February 4, 2026 - Bruna is a traditional Dutch retail company founded in 1868 by Albert Willem Bruna. In 2026, it operates nearly 272 shops in 207 cities, selling books, magazines, newspapers, paper and stationery, greeting cards, gifts and multimedia products. Bruna is the market leader in this sector. The majority of its shops are franchise outlets. In addition to shop sales, Bruna also sells books via its website.

Thanks to this rich history, Bruna is at the heart of Dutch society, as evidenced by the generous sponsorship that our association received from Bruna Rompertpassage. When Chairman Antoon van Mil made a practical request to branch manager Anita Karbach - Scherpenborg, she responded immediately and positively. He needed 48 plastic name badges for ‘The Bossche ball game’, which will take place on Friday, February 6^th. Today, he received not only the badges but also heavier paper on which to neatly print the names of the participants from the extremely friendly shop staff at Bruna Rompertpassage. 😊

Bruna Rompertpassage/Anita Karbach - Scherpenborg, thank you very much for this generous sponsorship!!! 🥳

January 30, 2026 - THE NATIONAL COALITION IS COMPLETE!

NOW IT’S ‘S‑HERTOGENBOSCH’S TURN ...

Now that the formation of the new national cabinet is almost complete, all eyes are on local politics. On Wednesday, March 18^th 2026, municipal elections will be held. As in all other Dutch municipalities, it is ‘make or break’ for the political parties in the Municipality of ‘s‑Hertogenbosch. Who knows how to appeal to voters in order to win votes? In short: ‘The Bossche ball game’ is (almost) underway! ⚒️

In a few days’ time, - on Friday, February 6^th -, the first major showdown will take place between the various local parties participating in the municipal elections in ‘s‑Hertogenbosch. Many of the politicians who are important to our Noord-Brabant capital will then make their appearance on the pétanque courts of Pétanque Union Bois le Duc. The aim of the event: to get to know each other so that, after what is sure to be a fierce election battle, there will be more (personal) understanding between them, thereby stimulating the formation of a coalition and leading to a stable municipal council. 👍🏻

Just like in real coalition formation, ‘The Bossche ball game’ has a number of coalition rounds. The first round is the round in which people ‘explore’ each other. The question is: which players can help you win? In the second round, conversations take place based on the results achieved in the first round. The third round is the climax: will people actually come together? The outcome of the whole process is, of course, anyone’s guess ... 🤔

Counting votes is always a debatable matter. So how is the winner of ‘The Bossche ball game’ determined? Well, it’s very simple. All political parties play at least one match, up to a maximum of six per party, depending on the number of registrations per team and the resulting number of players. As with the formation of a coalition, this results in many different ‘consultations’ (read: matches). The points balance of all matches is divided by the number of matches played. This means that a ‘one-man faction’ could win by winning three times convincingly! So, it will be exciting until the last boule is played! 😳

January 26, 2026 - Six mixed tournaments where you can win tasty prices!

These are the ‘Bossche bollen mixes’ sponsored by Bakery Van Keulen, which Pétanque Union Bois le Duc is organizing six times this year on Saturdays.

There will be three rounds, in which you will play with and against others. You can participate individually, and boules are available to borrow free of charge if you do not have your own. The top ten participants will win Bossche bollen (chocolate bulbs filled with whipped cream). The higher you finish, the more delicious treats you win! 😛

Advance registration is not required: register on site! 👈🏻

Click here or on the flyer below for more information!

January 26, 2026 - Fancy playing a tournament during the week?

You can at Pétanque Union Bois le Duc! This summer, we are organising no fewer than five times the 🔆 ’Bossche summer night games’ 🔆 for doubles, all five on Wednesday evenings. 🙂

Anyone can participate as long as you register as a doubles team and have official competition boules. Three pre-drawn matches are played on time, so that everyone can go home on time. Only if there are few teams (but > 4) will the matches be played to 13 points, but only with the consent of everyone present! 🧮

These tournaments are characterised by their cosiness and conviviality, not by their size. So don’t hesitate to register even if there are only a few teams. After all, only a minimum of 4 teams is needed to have 3 unique opponents! 👈🏻

Registration is open NOW!

To do so, go to OnTip. There you can register for one or more Wednesday evenings. The evenings are completely separate from each other, so it is not a cycle! 🌎

Click here or on the flyer below for more information!

January 24, 2026 - It was the first match day of the National Pétanque Competition 2025‑2026 this year for both teams of P.U. Bois le Duc, as the previous match day had been cancelled due to heavy snowfall. With the previous competition day cancelled, the boules had to be dusted off for two tough opponents. P.U. Bois le Duc 1 had to play away in Asten against leaders PV ’t Lover 2, and P.U. Bois le Duc 2, leaders in the 5^th Division - Group 5003, played a regional derby against L’Ammerzo 1 in Ammerzoden. Both teams from ‘s-Hertogenbosch had to win to stay in the race for the championship, albeit from different starting positions. While P.U. Bois le Duc 2 was already in the lead, P.U. Bois le Duc 1 could do business in the 4^th Division - Group 4003 by swapping places with the leader in a direct duel.

In Ammerzoden, P.U. Bois le Duc 2 got off to a flying start by winning two out of three matches in the first doubles round: 2-1 for the team from ‘s-Hertogenbosch. In the second round, this time in triples, the opponent was completely outplayed with two wins out of two. Interim score: 3-2. Only one of the three doubles matches in the final round needed to be sealed for the day’s victory and to retain the lead in the 5^th Division. The team from ‘s-Hertogenbosch had a long way to go because their opponents stepped up their game. Two matches were lost, but the third was won, albeit narrowly: 5-3. This victory strengthens P.U. Bois le Duc 2’s lead and brings promotion to the 4^th Division ever closer.

In Asten, P.U. Bois le Duc 1 started with opposite scores. Of three doubles matches in the first round, only one was converted into a win due to poor play, and a 1-2 deficit was a fact. In the subsequent triples round, one out of two matches was won: 2-3 in favour of Asten. The team from ‘s‑Hertogenbosch could still win, but then all three doubles matches in the third round had to be won. This chance was immediately lost because the first doubles match was lost by a large margin due to very poor play. As a result, the highest achievable result was a draw. The other two doubles teams succeeded in this, resulting in a 4-4 final score. This draw means that P.U. Bois le Duc 1 is now third in the 4^th Division and can only be promoted by winning the last six competition matches, with leaders ‘t Lover 2 losing a match day somewhere.

The next competition day will take place on Saturday, February 7^th 2026. P.U. Bois le Duc 1 will then play ‘away’ in Zaltbommel against PV Jeu de Bommel 2. P.U. Bois le Duc 2 will then play ‘at home’ in Ammerzoden against PV Le Château 2 from Wijchen.

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