Presidents Report - July 2005

It is with great pleasure that I present the President’s Report for the Adelaide Pétanque Club for the year July 2004 to June 2005.

We have had a very busy year, with a lot of work being done both in the clubrooms and on the pistes. We were very fortunate to start the year in a healthy financial position, which enabled the committee to implement several projects. Inside, we have had a new lock-up cupboard installed, which makes storage a lot easier. Outside, I know everyone has been appreciative of the upgrading of the pistes, which included: recutting and sealing the retaining wall on the west side; lowering the cyclone fencing on the other three sides; planting several shrubs and creepers; installing a new shed to hold gardening and other equipment, chairs etc; opening up a new vehicle access at the southern end; installing new lighting on both sides; building a pergola at the eastern end, with a new table and bench setting; and installing bollards at both ends to try and promote security.

The new lighting was a boon during our summer season of night games. We ran the usual Wednesday night competitions before and after Christmas, which were very well attended despite indifferent weather some weeks, and in addition we introduced an eight-week series of Friday night competitions which was also popular. Not only do these night competitions give us an opportunity to offer pétanque to members of the general community who do not want or are unable to join the Club on a full-time basis, they are profitable enough to allow us to continue with our ongoing programme of improvements. I must point out that this is due very largely to the amount of effort and time put in by various members of the Club, who help in organizing and running the nights, selling drinks, and on occasion ‘manning’ the barbeque, and would like to express my thanks to all of those hard-working volunteers.

At the beginning of the year a newsletter was launched to keep members up to date with happenings at the Club, and we hope that this has resulted in everyone feeling more in tune with what is going on. We have also compiled a proper list of members, which is updated regularly, and I am pleased to report that as of June 30th our membership numbered 47, which is higher than it has ever been. Our members are the backbone of the Club, and while we enjoy the intimacy that a small group brings, it is essential to our financial health to keep membership numbers up.

We currently have 14 members playing in League matches. Several people travelled to Perth for the National Competition at Easter, and two teams placed well in that event. Also, one of our members, Peter Sharpe, was selected for a National Team who played and won against a team from New Zealand in May. So we can be proud that we have players who are among the best in the country.

With the regrettable demise of the Fleurieu Club this year, we have been allocated two slots for League rounds, one in March and another in November. In addition, in May we held the inaugural Derrick Rowley Trophy, in honour of our late member, who passed away last September. Derrick will be missed by many, and we hope that this annual Trophy event will keep his memory alive for many years to come.

In closing, I would like to thank my committee for working so well to bring us to the end of a successful year, with the promise of even better things to come. We play pétanque becruse we enjoy the game, but also because we enjoy the company of those who also play, and I hope that what we have achieved in the last twelve months has contributed positively to everyone’s enjoyment of being a member of the Adelaide Hills Pétanque Club.

Brenton Key - President