My Passion: Pétanque, Focus and the Joy of Competition

If you have spent time in France, you may have seen it being played in town squares or village parks. A small wooden ball is thrown onto a gravel surface and players take turns throwing metal balls towards it. Conversations happen between shots, there is laughter, and someone usually has a tape measure ready to settle a debate.

That game is Pétanque, or boules as many people know it. What looks simple on the surface is surprisingly challenging, competitive and addictive.

It has become one of my favourite ways to switch off, focus and enjoy the simple pleasure of competition.

Discovering Pétanque

My first experience of the game was like many people’s. I saw it played on holiday in France and occasionally joined in socially. What struck me straight away was the atmosphere around the game.

Pétanque is incredibly inclusive. The equipment is simple, the rules are easy to grasp and people of different ages and abilities can compete together. It creates conversation and interaction almost instantly.

At the time I was still playing competitive sport. I had played rugby and later five-a-side football, but eventually the injuries started to take longer to recover from. That was the point where I began looking for something new.

Around the same time, a good friend of mine had a serious cycling accident which left him with brain damage. I started playing more regularly partly to support him and spend time together.

What began as something social quickly turned into something more serious. I got hooked.

The Power of Focus

I have always enjoyed competitive sport. For me, the biggest benefit is the focus it demands. When you are standing in the circle preparing to throw a boule, your mind clears. You cannot think about emails, strategy, or the dozens of things that come with running a business. Your attention is entirely on the shot you are about to play. That kind of focus is refreshing.

There is also something wonderfully grounding about the sport. At the end of the day we are simply throwing small metal balls across gravel. It is competitive and technical, but it is also difficult to take too seriously. Although if I am honest, I do enjoy winning!

From Social Games to Competition

Like many passions, my involvement grew gradually. What began as social games has developed into something more structured. I now play in two leagues and compete in both regional and national competitions. I have also started coaching, which adds another layer of enjoyment.

Competitions can be surprisingly demanding. It is common to play six or seven matches in a day, sometimes across an entire weekend. Maintaining concentration for that long takes real effort.

Starting a new sport at 60 also presents its own challenges. Many of the top UK players began when they were children and now have decades of experience. Competing against players in their thirties certainly keeps you sharp.

Learning Never Stops

One of the things Pétanque has reinforced for me is how valuable it is to keep learning. There are moments in sport where something suddenly clicks. You finally understand how to play a particular shot and it works exactly as you imagined. Those moments make the effort worthwhile.

When other players start asking you to compete with them in tournaments, that is also a good sign that the learning is paying off.

I firmly believe learning something new has benefits across every area of life. It keeps your mind active and your perspective fresh.

Lessons That Carry Into Business

Interestingly, many of the principles that apply in sport apply in business as well. Coaching players requires clear thinking, patience and practical advice. Those are the same qualities I try to bring when working with business owners through my TAB board in Ivel Valley.

Pétanque has also made me more disciplined with my diary. If I want to compete in tournaments, I need to plan my time properly. That discipline mirrors the conversations I often have with business leaders about protecting time for strategic thinking.

Running a business can easily fill every available hour. Having something outside work that matters to you forces you to create balance.

Why Business Owners Need a Passion

Even though I run my TAB franchise on what I describe as a part time basis, my personality is such that I tend to throw myself fully into whatever I am doing. Pétanque gives me an outlet from that focus.

It provides a break, but it is also energising. The mental reset you get from concentrating on something completely different can be incredibly valuable.

I also try to keep that balance with family life. I typically play around six weekend tournaments each year, which allows me to compete while still keeping time free for the people who matter most.

Looking Ahead

Pétanque is one of those sports you can play for a very long time. While representing England might be a stretch given my late start, I would certainly like to continue representing my region and competing well.

More importantly, it is something I can continue enjoying for years to come. The physical side may change over time, but the strategy, focus and enjoyment remain.

A Final Thought

If there is one thing I would encourage other business owners to think about, it is this. Find something that gives you energy.

Too many people spend most of their time doing tasks they do not enjoy. A genuine passion provides an outlet, improves wellbeing and often teaches lessons that translate back into business.

When you compare how you feel doing something you love with how you feel doing certain tasks in your business, it often highlights where change might be needed.

For me, that outlet happens to involve a gravel surface, a small wooden jack and a set of metal boules. Simple perhaps. But surprisingly powerful.

Tim Morris

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