Welcome to the West Midlands Petanque Association The West Midlands Pétanque Association (WMPA) is a region of the English Pétanque Association (EPA). Pétanque is a game with a dual function.  It is a competitive sport for those that enjoy playing it seriously but it can be enjoyed socially with family or friends. The WMPA's structure means there will be a club near you to join and enjoy this sport / social game.  Our members will be happy to welcome you to their club and help you get started. Meantime, keep petanquing and please do not forget to spread the word.  Thank you.  Take time to read our Revised Constitution Forthcoming Events & Notices Club Events 10 WM Squad Qualification: Cleehonger 17 WM Senior-Junior Pairs Solihull 24 WM Regional Closed Triples Coventry 15 Over 60s Pairs: Coventry 20 WM Squad Qualification: Stockton 26 Brian Price Memorial Triples Stockton 27 Marches Triples Latest News: A Plea from David Mason: WM Squad Qualification  Inter Regional Event qualifier at Stockon :  Sunday 20th May Hi Colleagues I am seeking expressions of interest from triples who would like to play in this Inter-Regional event qualifier and who havent registered yet for Stockton on Sunday 20th.  If you are interested, please contact David Mason preferably before Sunday. WMPA Summer League after Round 4 (09/05): “Let's keep the momentum going and show the region what we have always known,  that Coventry Pétanque Club is a force to be taken seriously.”  Tony Thompson Now, you have it and it is time to see during next rounds who is ready to challenge the 2 predictable teams that may end up winning this division 1:  Leofric (Coventry) or The Knights (Half Crown). So far round 4 has indicated that the gap is not as wide as last year between the leader and the rest of the teams., After round 4, we have a new team in the lead (Leofric Coventry) with 9 wins, followed closely by the Swifts with 9 wins too but with one more round than Leofric. In third place and breathing down their necks, The Knights from Half Crown with 8 wins. Time to express your views on Facebook (West Midlands Petanque) or twitter:  @westmidpetanque. In division 2, Solihull Swans are still at the top of the division with 11 wins and the gap is closing on them from The Jesters with 9 wins and believe it or not 4 teams (Yeoman, Villagers, Oats & Royals) are on the chase with 8 wins each.  How exciting!  Who said things can be boring in division 2? Not at this rate. What do you have to say about these contests and what are the views of those who played? Are the results a true reflection of what really happened or not? Let us know, your views via Facebook or Twitter. If you want to see the full details of the results of both divisions, you can find it in the results section.  Caravan and Camping Show:  An opportunity to promote Petanque. The EPA, and more directly the WMPA, have been asked to provide some demonstrations and come and try sessions at the Caravan and Camping shows at the NEC between October 16-21^st 2012 and possibly again in February 2013. Mike Pegg and Barry Cox are leading the discussions but all clubs will be asked to support this venture and help at the site. This could be a wonderful opportunity to not only advance the sport nationally but to also get our own region name in the limelight. If you have any ideas or willing to provide your support, please do not hesitate to contact Barry Cox, the president of the West Midlands Petanque Association or any executive officers of the WMPA.  Contact details are under the tab Contacts. A WORTHY CAUSE FOR WM PLAYERS TO TAKE PART: THE MARTIN BAKER MEMORIAL SINGLES COMPETITION Saturday 23rd June 2012 9.00am -9.30am - Registration at Harrow PC.                                  May 2012 June 2012 In May: 6 EPA Veterans Triples R1   6 EPA Junior Triples R2   7  May Day 13 EPA Triples/Womens Triples Q2 Ratby/Hartley 15 Over 60s Pairs Coventry 19 Triangular Competition: Wales - Great Western - West Midlands Brecon Rugby Club LD3 7EL 20 WM Regional Squad Qualification Stockton 27 Marches Triples The Summer League Program: Division 1 Round 5 16 - May Millers (WW) v Knights (HC) Bye v Swallows (S) Swifts (S) v Godiva (C) Leofric (C) v Threshers (WW) Division 2 Round 5 16 - May Oats (WW) v Bakers (WW) Yeoman (HC) v Swans (S) Spires (C) v Villagers (HC) Jesters (HC) v Royals (W) Division 1 Round 6 23 - May Swallows (S) v Millers (WW) Knights (HC) v Godiva (C) Bye v Threshers (WW) Swifts (S) v Leofric (C) Division 2 Round 6 23 - May Swans (S) v Oats (WW) Bakers (WW) v Villagers (HC) Yeoman (HC) v Royals (W) Spires (C) v Jesters (HC)                                                                           Pétanque Promotions Ltd Your source of boules from    plus pétanque accessories and books   The weather this week lead to one match being postponed. We had some discussion at the WMPA meeting on Monday about the rules and agreed that  they remain for this year. However David Mason and I have agreed that the timescale for re-arranged matches is too tight and with John O’Byrne’s concurrence the final date for playing postponed games will now be the Saturday of the following week. This gives 10 days in which to rearrange the fixture. It is worth reminding clubs that players may play only for one team in each round. Amendments occur at 1.7 and 5.1 in the Rules of the WMPA Summer League. MEMBERSHIP IN THE REGION FOR 2012: HALF CROWN: 42 members in total Adults:  39 members (32 EPA mem.) Juniors: 3 members (All EPA) WHITNASH PC: 60 members in total Adults: 50 members (39 EPA mem.) Juniors: 10 members (All EPA) WORCESTER PC: 7 members in total Adults: 7 members (6 EPA mem.) Juniors: none SOLIHULL CP: 34 members in total Adults: 34 members (21 EPA mem.) Juniors: none WARWICK PC: 12 members in total Adults: 10 members (10 EPA mem.) Juniors: 2 members (All EPA). COVENTRY PC, MARCHES, SWAN PC TO COME SOON! Ammendments in the Rules of the WMPA Summer League: By Barry Cox Details from Vince Wills (Captain@harrowpetanque.co.uk) Or Herve Bavazzano (hervebavazzano@gmail.com Is any club in the region intending to promote petanque during this summer that coincide with the Olympics and/or the The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee bank holiday?  Are you organising a street party for the occasion?   Isnt it a good opportunity to promote this beautiful social game to others and reap the benefits in the long term for our region and for Petanque overall. A Petanque Street Party to celebrate The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and/or the Olympics: Any ideas or Suggestions Check the flyer for the Diamond Jubilee day bank holiday party  organised by Coventry Petanque Club under Clubs Tab. Street Party at Coventry Petanque Club: