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17 October 2006

 

 

The Secretary

Wellington Petanque Association

Address removed for privacy reasons.

Paraparaumu Beach

 

 

Dear Beverley

 

Re: Oceania Championship Tournament 2006

 

In reply to your letter of 28 September 2006, regarding the decision by Petanque New Zealand not to send a team to the Oceania championship in Australia, I wish to advise the following:

 

The PNZ selection policy has been established to provide a structure to identify the best players available to represent New Zealand. The policy clearly states that the players must demonstrate a good playing ability. One of the most frequent and strongest comments from our recent survey on the Selection process was that the PNZ must stick to its stated policies and processes. PNZ cannot reverse this policy without due process and simply open up the invitation to all members. Not only would this undermine the hard work and investment of players who have put themselves through the selection process, it would not ensure the best team to defend Oceania.

 

I am sure you will appreciate that compiling a scratch team of players without the adequate range of skills or experience is not a winning formula to go on and defend Oceania.

 

Also, there is the matter of the status of the tournament to consider. PNZ were told earlier this year that Petanque Australia had decided not to hold the Oceania Champs. It therefore seemed unlikely that the tournament would be held at all this year. However the NSW State League asked Petanque Australia if they could hold it. Petanque Australia agreed, but as far as they are concerned there will be NO official Australian team. The team representing Australia will be a group of players from clubs in New South Wales. Petanque Australia’s support will be limited to providing an umpire and insurance. Vanuatu and Wallis and Fortuna will not be attending, Tahiti is attending but only because they have already booked their airline tickets.

 

PNZ is not confident that this Oceania Championships will be well organized, and with the apparent downgrading of the competition, we do not see that defending our title will have much meaning, or be sufficient to justify the time and effort involved to send a team, and the cost of approximately $1500 per player (airfares and accommodation).

 

We appreciate your frustration in this matter but do not support your request. In November, as part of a review of the selection process, PNZ will also plan the international calendar for 2007. We are now affiliated to the Asian Federation, and believe this will offer New Zealand petanque players more high quality competition opportunities. PNZ intend to identify the priority tournaments so that we all can adequately prepare for them in a timelier manner.

 

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

Barbara Whittington

Secretary

Petanque New Zealand

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