The ASBM Pétanque senior group launches their season

Les entraînements ont lieu tous les après-midi au boulodrome Christian-Ville à Bagnols. Midi Libre – Chloé Lopez

L'association sportive Bagnols Marcoule Pétanque compte plus de cent licenciés dont une trentaine de femmes. 

The seniors of the Bagnols Marcoule pétanque sports association (ASBM pétanque) have resumed training after a short break during the Christmas holidays. For bowlers, the new year is synonymous with the start of the season. The club has just over a hundred members, including 35 women. "It's a lot for a pétanque club", rejoices president Alain Donnadieu, at the head of the club for nineteen years. The bowlers train every Wednesday, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Christian-Ville indoor bowling alley. "We play melee and disentanglement, that is to say we draw lots at the end of each game."

For each attendance at weekly training, the licensee receives two points. Winning games earn five points. "At the end of the season, we do the accounts to elect the male and female playing master, indicates the president. It allows you to reward diligence and performance."

"Have fun"

These games played internally prepare the Bagnolais for the competitions of the year. The senior men's triplets will compete on April 6, in Bagnols, the qualifications for the championship  nbsp;of Gard which will take place the next day. The women's triplets will not need to go through a qualifying phase. They will play directly in the Gard championship on Sunday April 7. For the Bagnolais teams, the objective is to qualify for the regional championship and "why not" then the French championship. Two competitions will also be organized in front of Le Posterlon this summer. "We are here above all to have fun. There is a very good atmosphere,” says Alain Donnadieu.

This season, the president also wants to focus on the ball school that he himself created. The young people, aged between 8 and 16, train on Wednesdays, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

The ASBM is offering a slice of galette des rois to all its licensees on Wednesday January 17 from 2:30 p.m. to launch the start of the season.