Sport
14 November, 2025
Pyrenees Petanque Tournament readies for return this weekend
Some of the best national and international petanque players are ready to roll into the Pyrenees this weekend for the much-beloved Pyrenees Petanque Avoca Triples Tournament.
Avoca’s High Street will be the picturesque setting for two days of high-quality petanque action gripped with excitement, tension, joy and camaraderie.
Hosted by the Pyrenees Petanque Club, the 31st iteration of the esteemed tournament has 50 teams registered to participate, with all trios playing in five qualifying rounds on Saturday to determine the top 16 teams.
From there, those 16 teams will play four qualifying rounds on Sunday in two divisions. The top-ranked two teams from each division will play off in the finals. Trios that don’t qualify for the top 16 will play in social matches on Sunday.
Thanks to the support of several local wineries and businesses, prizes valued up to $5500 in cash and wines will be awarded to place getters in the open and social competitions.
According to Pyrenees Petanque Club president Deborah Hicks, the tournament remains a massive coup for the Pyrenees community.
“I might be a little biased, but the Pyrenees tournament, in my opinion, is the tournament in Victoria,” she said.
“It’s a very renowned tournament that attracts the highest number of entries. We have international participants and players from all across the country.
“Accommodation and businesses do extremely well from this. Any available accommodation is absolutely booked to the max, overflow goes to Maryborough and out to Moonambel and Ampitheatre.
“Quite a few players now come in on the Thursday and spend three or four days here and visit the wineries for lunch and the local hotel for dinner.”
While she often remains in awe at some of the top-quality games the tournament produces, Hicks said the social interaction between players is the lifeblood of the competition.
“The people are like an extended family in the petanque community, it’s like any sport when you get to know people,” she said.
“Because we all have opportunities to meet at other clubs like Nagambie, Smythesdale and Ballarat, you go away for the weekend.
“You play your game, but then you all get together for dinner in the evening, so there’s fantastic camaraderie.”
Outside of their annual tournament, the Pyrenees Petanque Club also hosts fortnightly social games on Sunday, attracting players from Maldon, Castlemaine, Harcourt and Bendigo.
Pyrenees Petanque Club vice president Terence Garrett said the club is always open to welcoming new players to an exciting and challenging activity suitable for anyone.
“It’s good competitive stuff and it’s a great way of meeting people,” he said.
“There’s no cost to them, we provide all of the equipment and we have got lots of friendly people willing to help.
“The entry level is very compatible for anybody of any age, children can do it, older people can do it, you’re not required to run and be fit.”
The Pyrenees Petanque Avoca Triples Tournament will be hosted on Saturday, November 15 and Sunday, November 16, with play starting at 10 am on Saturday and 9 am on Sunday. On-site catering will be provided by the Avoca CWA.
“The best way for people to see the game is to come and have a look on the weekend in High Street, it’s so visible and you will see a very high standard and people having a really good time together,” Hicks said.