Wales is heading back to France! Less than a month after the Welsh women’s squad competed at the World Championships in Douai, the Vale Petanque Club is packing its bags for another big event — the 27th CEP European Cup, taking place at the Bouleodrome du Douaisis from 6th to 9th November.

As the current Welsh Cup Champions, the Vale will represent Wales against some of the best pétanque clubs from across Europe — 31 federations in total. The team is made up of eight members, including two women and a non-playing team manager, all ready to take on the challenge.

• Julie Bailey
• Sonia Ford
• Ian Bailey
• Len Field
• Jean-Yves Robic
• David Paine
• Sean Smith
• Gary Griffiths
• Tony Smith – Team Manager

It won’t be an easy ride. The competition includes clubs from pétanque powerhouses like France, with several former world champions in their lineups. Once registration closes, the draw will reveal who the Vale faces in the three qualifying rounds. Their results there will decide whether they move on to the Euro Cup or the Fed Cup.

No matter which path they take, one thing’s certain — it’s going to be competitive, exciting, and full of camaraderie.

On behalf of the Welsh Pétanque Association (WPA), members and executives have sent their best wishes to the Vale as they take on Europe’s finest.