Tegan Finley from Underriver, Sevenoaks began playing Petanque (the French game of Boules) at the tender age of 7 , coached by her Dad Jamie who manages the Kent Juniors squad. In the sports world, be it Golf, Formula 1, or football, invariably it’s those that started when they were very young who become champions – Rory Mcllroy was 7, Jensen Button began go- karting aged 8.
Almost every French family has played Petanque – it’s in their blood and part of the family growing-up process. In Sports Clubs , Pubs and Country Clubs in the UK the game is taking off rapidly too, with Kent, Surrey and Sussex leading the way.
Tegan plays for Seal Petanque Club, based at The White Rock Inn at Underriver but is also Captain of Kent Juniors and won her England shirt in 2024 at the age of just 15! “We are immensely proud of Tegan’s achievements and her 13 year old brother (Zac) is following in her footsteps too!” said her Dad, Jamie.
Unlike France, where the sport is played by families from Calais to Cannes, in the UK the game of Petanque seems to be perceived like Bowls as a game for the older generation, but Clubs across the country are now producing Junior Squads, led by teenagers like Tegan who will be representing the UK at the Petanque International event in Canada this Summer!
“I first picked up a Boule in 2017 and took to it right away” said Tegan. “With good hand to eye co-ordination it’s a very friendly game and easy to get started – the clever techniques take a lot longer but I would urge young people to give it a go they’d be surprised at how much fun it can be and it’s very competitive when you get into it!”
Tegan’s Club celebrates its’ 50th Anniversary in June and is the longest established Petanque Club in Kent, with members from 13
to 95 years of age. The sport has an established UK history with League matches played every week and Regional Qualifiers between Clubs up and down the Country.
Duncan Browne (Chairman of the Kent Petanque Association) had this to say about Tegan’s achievements and the journey ahead of her as one of the leading lights of the sports future. “Tegan showed great potential from the very start. She has great determination and is always learning from older players. There’s a wealth of experience at her home Club (Seal) and playing internationally is teaching her to take responsibility in her stride. There is no doubt further International colours are on the horizon.”
For further information please contact Howard Sandom at howard.sandom@gmail.com or on 07860 711295.
