The Boules Artistes Petanque Club was originally formed in 1996 after gaining permission to use the grounds of the Hyde Park Barracks, one of Sydney’s most historic buildings. With good exposure and an article in the SMH we soon gained a regular crowd on a Sunday afternoon. We then assisted Tony Bernard (La Boule Bleue) in organizing the South Pacific Challenge, which drew over 200 people, many of them playing their first tournament. The Artistes went dormant for a while to laterreform in 2003 after discovering a superb ground right on Sydney Harbour at Pyrmont Point Park, andstarted to grow again. We thenswitched to the boulodrome at Canterbury, sharing with the Sydney Petanque Club so that we could organise more promotional activities. We upgraded the lights and bought gazebos and market umbrellas to provide shelter and make the playing experience more pleasant. We started running four week x 3 hour training courses for a number of community colleges, established a relationship with the Alliance Francaise and started school sport in some local primary schools. We also organized numerous media articles in local and major papers as well as radio interviews. We organize regular “C’mon, have a go!” days and four hour competitions on Saturday afternoons and Friday evenings (in the warmer months) as well as midweek training sessions.
Until now our official petanque pistes for Club and NSW league competitions are still located at the Canterbury Bowling Club, Close Street- Canterbury NSW, opposite to Canterbury Railway station and off the Canterbury Road. The Boules Artistes have pioneered petanque in public places including the Hyde Park Barracks (sadly no longer possible for petanque), Pyrmont Point Park, Centennial Park and other places. This brings the sport into public view and encourages others to use the places as well! Gradually we hope to 'inculturate' the general population to play more and local governments to build suitable areas. We hope to have some exciting announcements soon about 'public place petanque'!
For the convenience of players, and of spectators our pistes at the 'Cauldron' are appropriately arranged with umbrellas. Gazebos are normally set on competition days, and 10,000 Kw of flood lights allow twilight games and competitions to take place in a bright atmosphere. Summer season allows the 'FAB fridays' competitions in a friendly atmosphere and normally start at 19:00 AEST. The club has good facilities and can cater enough boules for about 100 new adepts to the game. The club also provides the facility to organise private petanque functions for birthdays, company get togethers, team building days, and sporting group fund raisers.
So...come along or organise a Group, and have a go!! Petanque is an ideal social sport for your class, group of friends, sports team or work colleagues. Introduce them to the quintessential French pastime! We can organise a special day for you! The Boules Artistes provide the equipment and tuition. We have great facilities for a really fun day.
C’mon, have a go! Contact Gary on (02) 9665 9943 or garyh(at)boulesartistes.org.au or the directors listed below for further details.
What drives us While we cater for both social and competitive petanque, we are committed to introduce the sport of petanque to the general public, to build and foster a healthy social atmosphere, and to improve playing standards and promoting a high level of sportsmanship.
President Terry Murphy - terrym(at)boulesartistes.org.au Vice President Darin Evans - darine(at)boulesartistes.org.au Secretary Sue Begley - sueb(at)boulesartistes.org.au
Coaches
Gary Hosie - garyh(at)boulesartistes.org.au Pierre Figon - pierref(at)boulesartistes.org.au Remi Ghetti - remig(at)boulesartistes.org.au
...about the Artistes 
