Leeds Pétanque Club is affiliated to both Yorkshire Pétanque and Pétanque England and was opened in May 2006 in Headingley. However, following significant growth the club relocated to a purpose-built terrain in Kirkstall in June 2023.

The club maintains a membership of around 30 players, all of varying ability and experience levels with some regularly taking part in regional and national events. Whatever your ability, you can be sure of a warm welcome.

When

Club Sessions Every…

Tuesday 6pm (summer only)

Wednesday 1pm

Sunday 11am

Whether you’re new to the game or an experienced player, why not come along to a few taster sessions and see if it’s for you? Just turn up on a day that suits (Sunday mornings recommended) or drop us a message.

Find Us

We play on a purpose-built terrain just behind the Vesper Gate pub in Kirkstall.

Leeds Pétanque, Abbey Road, Kirkstall.

  • Car Park: LS5 3EJ
  • Terrain: Vesper Gate Pub, LS5 3NG.

If driving, please park in Kirkstall Abbey Car Park and walk over to the terrain.

Membership


A year’s membership is just:

– £20 for adults (18yrs+)

– £10 for children (aged 10-17yrs)
– A fun, social, and friendly sport

– Use of club equipment

– Get tips from members and coaches

– Access to competitions

– Social events

If you’d like to join as a member, please complete this form.

How to Play

Petanque developed from another boule game in the south of France between 1907 and 1910 – it is a simple game to learn, but takes skill to perfect.

  • Teams: Play as singles (1 player, 3 boules each), doubles (2 players, 3 boules each) or triples (3 players, 2 boules each).
  • The aim: Get your boules closer to the jack (cochonnet) than your opponent.
  • Coin Toss: Toss a coin to decide which team starts
  • Starting: Place the plastic throwing circle on the ground, stand inside it and throw the jack 6–10 metres.
  • First boule: The team that threw the jack plays the first boule – boules are thrown underarm with the palm of the hand facing downwards.
  • Second boule: the opposing team throws the second boule.
  • Take turns: The team nearest the jack is said to be ‘on’ or ‘holding the point’, and it is for the opponents to try to beat the on boule.
  • Boules: Throw, roll or lob your boule to get it closer to the jack, or shoot an opponent’s boule away.
  • End of the round: Once all boules have been played, only one team scores.
  • Scoring: You score 1 point for every boule closer to the jack than your opponent’s closest boule.
  • Next round: The team that scored starts the next end by placing the circle again, and throwing the jack and first boule
  • Winning: The game ends when one team reaches a total of 13 points

What our Members Say

Credit: Emilie Flower. Unsung Sports.

Keen to Learn More?

Check out the following video guide from Pétanque England, or come and join us at a club session free of charge.