I would like to see boule on TV. I think with coloured boule & coche, so it would be easier to see what was going on, it would make a great spectator sport. It would also bury the myth of some the English Green bowling fraternity that the game does not have enough skill. I am sure seing people able to spin, carreau and back spin to coche would open their eyes. What countries is there TV coverage? I assume France? Do they use coloured boule? Is there any coverage on satalite TV ? What is the best way to petition the BBC to prove there is interest.

Living in Northern Ontario(Timmins),we have extremely short summers and loved playing Boules in France this past Sept, we would appreciated any information on an indoor court. Have a cement floor in the basement with ample room. Many thanks,J@J

Having just subscribed to the magasine France Petanque, I notice that French TV is covering some matches this year. Time to rush out and buy a French TV satelite system!

The only coverage I've been aware of in the UK was a 2hr programme on Eurosport, about 2 or 3 years ago. They didn't use coloured boules, just normal boules.

Having seen this and various videos of champtionship matches, I think there is a basic problem of being able to show the head and which boules are on. I think this is very much a problem of trying to get the right camera angle - probably overhead is best but technically problematic. Remember, even the view from the circle is often deceptive and it's worse on TV.

I'd say the coverage I've seen is somewhat mixed , some quite good and interesting, some suffering quite a lot from poor, distant camera angles where's it's really impossible to see what's happening.

I'm sure coloured boules are pretty problematic too: until somebody invents coloured metal, it would just be a surface marking that quickly scuffs off. Also, as a retailer I know what a problem it is trying to cater for the already huge number of permutations of boules - colour would further compound the problem. I also suspect that a lot of players would want to play with their favourite set of boules, rather than a shiny new coloured set for the benefit of TV - although probably if they were paid enough for the privilege they wouldn't mind!

I actually think the challenge is more of finding a good, knowledgeable and interesting commentator and also having good editing. It's really frustrating when the camera stays on the player and you don't see the result of their shot.

Although this might sound a bit negative, it isn't meant too. I'm also convinced that petanque could make interesting TV.

When snooker was first shown on UK TV, people said it's a minority sport and not interesting to watch - it's actually proven to be incredibly popular and has lasted for many, many years. I don't play but I'm a TV addict.

The simplest thing is just to put gravel on top of the cement – voila, instant terrain!

You’ll need the gravel deep enough so the boules don’t hit the cement but not too deep so that they stop dead. Try approx. 20mm to start.

Depending on the overall size and layout, you might need wooden surrounds to stop the gravel from dispersing and the boules from leaving the terrain.

Good luck!

John & Judy:

I'd like to invite you, if you're ever in the area, to come by our indoor Boulodrome.

We (the Michigan Petanque Club) have been playing through the snowy weather this year in a greenhouse in our local Nursery.

You're more than welcome to stop by any Sunday afternoon when we're playing and join us!

Maybe our crazy idea of playing in a greenhouse will help you out as well...

petanqueingly,

Joe Zajac, president
Michigan Petanque Club
www.michiganpetanque.com


John and judy Huggins wrote:
------------------------------------

Living in Northern Ontario(Timmins),we have extremely short summers and loved playing Boules in France this past Sept, we would appreciated any information on an indoor court. Have a cement floor in the basement with ample room. Many thanks,J@J

Thanks for your interesting write up on Petanque on TV. I have thought about the subject quite a lot, and I certainly would welcome seeing Petanque on TV but have always wondered whether this would be possible and still give a good account of the game to the watchers. I often take time to watch a game from the side lines, and knowing the rules have a good idea what's going on, but I think the onlooker would have a great deal of difficulty in trying to understand what's going on. As in any game you cannot get the greatest enjoyment from it until you understand it. I would very much love to see seats along the sides of our terrain's to allow people to come and watch, so that this might encourage those outside the game to have a go and come to understand more of our exciting game.
Vernon W.

Ray Ager wrote:
------------------------------------

Having just subscribed to the magasine France Petanque, I notice that French TV is covering some matches this year. Time to rush out and buy a French TV satelite system!

The only coverage I've been aware of in the UK was a 2hr programme on Eurosport, about 2 or 3 years ago. They didn't use coloured boules, just normal boules.

Having seen this and various videos of champtionship matches, I think there is a basic problem of being able to show the head and which boules are on. I think this is very much a problem of trying to get the right camera angle - probably overhead is best but technically problematic. Remember, even the view from the circle is often deceptive and it's worse on TV.

I'd say the coverage I've seen is somewhat mixed , some quite good and interesting, some suffering quite a lot from poor, distant camera angles where's it's really impossible to see what's happening.

I'm sure coloured boules are pretty problematic too: until somebody invents coloured metal, it would just be a surface marking that quickly scuffs off. Also, as a retailer I know what a problem it is trying to cater for the already huge number of permutations of boules - colour would further compound the problem. I also suspect that a lot of players would want to play with their favourite set of boules, rather than a shiny new coloured set for the benefit of TV - although probably if they were paid enough for the privilege they wouldn't mind!

I actually think the challenge is more of finding a good, knowledgeable and interesting commentator and also having good editing. It's really frustrating when the camera stays on the player and you don't see the result of their shot.

Although this might sound a bit negative, it isn't meant too. I'm also convinced that petanque could make interesting TV.

When snooker was first shown on UK TV, people said it's a minority sport and not interesting to watch - it's actually proven to be incredibly popular and has lasted for many, many years. I don't play but I'm a TV addict.

Hey, now that is a great idea! We should all try to contact our local greenhouses and see if they have an unused one available for Petanque playing. Richard (Midwest Area)

Joe Zajac wrote:
------------------------------------

John & Judy:

I'd like to invite you, if you're ever in the area, to come by our indoor Boulodrome.

We (the Michigan Petanque Club) have been playing through the snowy weather this year in a greenhouse in our local Nursery.

You're more than welcome to stop by any Sunday afternoon when we're playing and join us!

Maybe our crazy idea of playing in a greenhouse will help you out as well...

petanqueingly,

Joe Zajac, president
Michigan Petanque Club
www.michiganpetanque.com


John and judy Huggins wrote:
------------------------------------

Living in Northern Ontario(Timmins),we have extremely short summers and loved playing Boules in France this past Sept, we would appreciated any information on an indoor court. Have a cement floor in the basement with ample room. Many thanks,J@J

I have seen very good french video...

The boules were not different than normals. If the situation needed clarification, an on-screen arrow was drawn and used to clarify things. That was not needed very often. Players were shown from front. They did throw, then another camera did show the landing of the ball, again the boules were moving towards the camera. Camera was on 2-3 meters above ground. Sometimes third camera was showing the player from a distance so you could see the whole arc of boule. Very much slow motion to show contacts with the boules. Sometimes a round measurement device was shown above so that it was easy to see which boules were 1st, 2nd and so on. Referee was using it to measure, and the camera just was there attached to it (the referee was not actively using the camera).

All players were wearing microphones, so their discussions about tactis etc. were heard.

The scoreboard was shown always before throwing of the cochonnet.

It is far from impossible.

Freddy

Great thought but ....

We Petanques are tough we brave it out play in any condition and laugh at the outdoor bowlers as they wander inside for a cuppa, rain hail or snow so long as the coshe doesnt float we play. (though I often tell my self thats its not cold its rather bracing) I would worry we might get a bit soft playing indoors and well I hate to say it but the whiskey or wine just wouldnt have the same restorative effect.

Nadine
New Zealand

Fredrik Jonsson wrote:
------------------------------------

I have seen very good french video...

The boules were not different than normals. If the situation needed clarification, an on-screen arrow was drawn and used to clarify things. That was not needed very often. Players were shown from front. They did throw, then another camera did show the landing of the ball, again the boules were moving towards the camera. Camera was on 2-3 meters above ground. Sometimes third camera was showing the player from a distance so you could see the whole arc of boule. Very much slow motion to show contacts with the boules. Sometimes a round measurement device was shown above so that it was easy to see which boules were 1st, 2nd and so on. Referee was using it to measure, and the camera just was there attached to it (the referee was not actively using the camera).

All players were wearing microphones, so their discussions about tactis etc. were heard.

The scoreboard was shown always before throwing of the cochonnet.

It is far from impossible.

Freddy

While coloured boules would be ideal for TV they're not essential. I remember a Canal Plus competition where one team used black and the other team used silver boules. Picking out each team's boules was pretty easy.

Overhead camera position for deciding 1st, 2nd, etc. is essential for the viewer as angles are very deceptive when seen from ground or eye level.

A good commentator is also essential. I've also seen the Sky programme of the World Championships and it was let down by the commentator. Pat Watts did his best to make up for the commentator's lack of knowledge.

I do think that with the right exposure and some local interest petanque could be very popular on TV. After all, look at bowls and how often that's shown.

My son heard one bowls commentator stating that bowls was the only sport where you could destroy all your opponent's good work by playing with weight. What would they say when they see top quality shooting in a petanque competition!

But whiskey or wine (or anything!) is always acceptable, isn't it!

Seriously though, I'd enjoy having regular access to an indoor terrain. It'd mean I could play even more petanque!