As a great year for the KPA comes to an end, the successes of 2025 may be difficult to achieve this year. On an international and national level Kent players excelled. Another strong Kent Pétanque Summer League showed the depth of ability of our players and the winter warriors of the Winter League are out playing and it is well underway.
A great initiative, set up at the beginning of the last year, are the Friday Fun Days and Midweek Over 60s competitions. Both have been very successful and continue to go from strength to strength. Thanks to Keith Atkinson and Barry Menzies. These have encouraged many players to play more than just league nights during the week. Having managed to play in a few myself, the standard and attendance of both have increased to such a degree that the organisers have to manage entrants at times.
This is the time to set a few goals for next year.
With the encouraging rise in the players venturing to the Friday competitions, it would be great to have some of those players entering the Kent competitions and the regional qualifiers. The more that enter will raise the standards of the region as a whole. It is regretful that the late calendar from Pétanque England each year means the Kent calendar is published much later than the Kent Playing Committee would hope. Once venues and dates can be arranged then calendar will be published as a matter of urgency.
Kent competitions and open club competitions are published on the Kent Pétanque Facebook group, as well as the Kent website, have a look and see if you can attend a tournament!
Another area of transition is the Kent Junior Squad. After all the efforts by Jamie Finley over the last few years as Youth Development Officer, it is important to continue and go further. There are several ideas being followed up. We have some very good junior players at present so initiatives to increase the number of juniors are on the horizon.
The Kent Management Committee is now a few members short, after Melissa Rowley steps back from her role. I’d like to thank Melissa for all her valuable input whilst on the committee. If you are interested in joining the committee or would like to know more about it, then get in touch with us, we’d love to have you on board!
With the new summer league season coming up, now is the time to start confirming players and teams. It would be good to welcome some new teams to the leagues. So if you hear of any new clubs or teams keen to join the league then please let either the KPA or KPL committees know.
Finally, let me close with a heart felt Happy New Year and best wishes for 2026!
