Training, strategy and analysis: the calendar of young Baie-Comeau ballists is well filled in anticipation of their trip to Spain to participate in the Junior World Championship, where they represent Canada.
It remains in pleasure, but we are still a little serious
laughs Juliette Gagné, member of the Baie-Comeau Boulist club, for the 2025 junior world championship.
His frequent training sometimes takes the form of games. An idea that comes from coaches, who want to keep the team members motivated thanks to less strict training sessions.
Steve Jean, Juliette Gagné and Charles-Antoine Massé will go to the world championship. Together, they form a team of four players with Raphaëlle Jourdain (who is not in the photo).
Photo: Radio-Canada / Benoît Jobin
Direction: The Worlds
For young pétanque players, most of whom have known each other since kindergarten, it is a question of sharing a large -scale experience.
It is still the fun to say that these are people that we have known since we are very small
says Juliette Gagné. If I had been told, three years ago: “You’re going to go to Spain for the Junior Worlds”, I wouldn’t have thought it
she adds.
We would never have thought that a simple little sport after school would become so important
admits his mother, Josée Lamontagne.
Josée Lamontagne, the mother of Juliette Gagnon, is a member of the board of directors of the Baie-Comeau Boulist club.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Benoît Jobin
She testifies that the preparation requires a lot of work.
Two to three times a week, the team meets for official training, but the efforts also continue at home, with clarification fire training and analyzes of high caliber parts, says Josée Lamontagne.
Member of the junior team, Steve Jean adds that, to perform in international pétanque competition, you also have to prepare mentally.
Charles-Antoine Massé, member of the Junior team, became interested in sport thanks to the Fort Team spirit which reigns within the Baie-Comeau Boulist club.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Benoît Jobin
Analysis and strategies
Various challenges await the team on the other side of the ocean, including a mixed championship, female and male tournaments, as well as precision events.
It is certain that pétanque is a sport of concentration, patience and evaluation
explains a coach of the Baie-Comeau Boulist club, Michel Bonneau.
Michel Bonneau is coach at the Baie-Comeau Boulist club.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Benoît Jobin
At the club, three coaches support young full -time ballists. Most had to learn on the heap
Pétanque being a less known sport in Canada than in Europe, explains Michel Bonneau.
The team should be ready to adapt according to the field and the strategies of its opponents. A bit like chess
he concludes.
With information from Nazdar Roy