New York fell for the balls

A discipline that is now global, pétanque is even developing strongly in the United States. Especially in New York, where the Big Apple has fallen for balls.

And suddenly, in the middle of the buildings and anger of New York, a little green… and balls. In the heart of the Big Apple, pétanque has managed to find a place for itself. The author of an exhibition of his talents in Central Park a few years ago, the French champion Dylan Rocher witness it. ” “It’s still a country I like to go to and I like to play. It is really something grandiose to play pétanque in the middle of buildings. I could not have imagined this kind of experience being a pétanque player.”ensuring a SPORTMAG Team player. “Petanque is growing a lot there. The level is still average, but improving. It is a country that does not have a big pétanque culture, but there are very active clubs that organize a lot of interesting events. »

Among these clubs, we found La Boule New Yorkaise, the oldest and largest pétanque club in the city. Founded in 1968, it is a symbol of the city’s globalization. “There is a group of French players, a group of players who speak French and come from Africa and other countries, but there are also residents of New York, Americans who work not far away and which has just gone to use »details Esat Alijaj, club president who has stayed at Bryant Park.

La Brooklynaise, the competition not to be missed every July 14th

In New York, pétanque fans know each other and rub shoulders. La Boule New Yorkaise club works closely with Carreau Club Pétanque. In the heart of Brooklyn, this place includes a cocktail bar, a restaurant area… It is also in Brooklyn that we find the most popular competition of the year: La Brooklynaise, which takes place… on July 14, the French national holiday.

Can this emerging love of New Yorkers and Americans for pétanque make the United States a leading country in the discipline at a very high level? At the moment…not really. During the 2021 world championships, the United States team crossed paths with the French team. Result: 13-0 for the Blues. The Worlds, which will be organized in Dijon in two months, will highlight any progress made by Team USA and its representatives in New York.