GoFundMe
Support the Irish Pétanque Team on the road to the Europeans and World Championship
The Irish Pétanque Team is embarking onto the international stage — first to the
European Championship in June, then to the World Pétanque Championship in Thailand this November.
This is a proud moment for Irish pétanque and a fantastic achievement for everyone involved in the sport in Ireland.
This journey started last year in Luxembourg, where the Irish team fought hard and successfully qualified for the World Championship. That achievement showed the progress, dedication, and fighting spirit of Irish pétanque on the international stage.
This year, the team faces an even bigger challenge: representing Ireland at two major international competitions
— the Europeans in June and the Worlds in Thailand in November.
Pétanque Is Growing in Ireland
Over the past five years, pétanque in Ireland has been developing quickly. What was once a small community of passionate players is now becoming a stronger and more organised sport across the country.
Irish pétanque has made real progress, both on and off the piste:
Ireland has won the Celtic Challenge four years in a row, competing against Wales and Scotland.
Ireland achieved a Bronze medal at the Euro Cup in the Federation Cup ,another important milestone for Irish pétanque on the international stage.
Ireland also won a triples game against Fréjus, a team composed of some of the best pétanque players in the world — a memorable result that shows the progress and potential of Irish players.
More clubs are being created and developed across Ireland helping more people discover and enjoy the sport.
Irish players are gaining more experience at international level and continuing to improve year after year.
The standard of play is rising, with players training more seriously and competing more regularly.
Ireland now has an official national umpire, who travelled to Luxembourg for training.
To complete his formation, our national umpire will need to travel to Luxembourg two more times, which also creates additional costs for Irish pétanque.
These achievements show that pétanque in Ireland is moving in the right direction. Supporting this fundraiser is not only about helping one team travel, it is also about supporting the continued growth and development of the sport in Ireland.
Why We Need Your Help
Competing internationally is a huge honor, but it also comes with significant costs.
As a small sporting association, the Irish Pétanque Association has limited financial resources. Unlike larger sports, pétanque in Ireland receives very limited funding, and much of the work behind the scenes is done by volunteers.
Players often have to contribute personally towards travel, accommodation, food, and competition-related expenses. With both the
European Championship and the World Championship taking place in the same year, the financial burden is especially high.
On top of this, the development of pétanque in Ireland also requires investment in training, coaching, officiating, and organisation. This includes supporting our national umpire as he completes his formation abroad.
That is why we are hoping to raise between €5,000 and €10,000 to help support the team, reduce the personal cost for the players, and contribute to the wider development of Irish pétanque.
Funds raised will help with costs such as:
Flights and international travel
Accommodation
Transport during the events
Team clothing and equipment
Food and daily expenses
Competition-related costs
Preparation and training-related expenses
Umpire training and development costs
Every donation will go towards helping Irish pétanque continue to grow and helping the Irish team represent the country proudly and professionally at major international events.
Why This Support Matters
Every player selected to represent Ireland gives their time, energy, and commitment to the sport.
Training, travelling, competing, and wearing the Irish jersey internationally all require dedication — and unfortunately, significant personal expense.
For many of our players, representing Ireland at a World Championship is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Your support will help make this opportunity more accessible and allow the team to focus on preparation, performance, and representing Ireland with pride.
Your support also helps Irish pétanque continue its wider development, from players and clubs to officials, volunteers, and future generations of competitors.
How Your Donation Can Help
Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a real difference.
Whether you can donate €5, €10, €50, €100 or more, every bit of support will help.
Even if you are unable to donate, sharing this page with friends, family, clubs, local businesses, and the wider sporting community would be hugely appreciated.
About the Team
Pétanque is still a developing sport in Ireland, but our players are passionate, dedicated, and committed to growing the game.
In recent years, Ireland has shown that it can compete and progress internationally. Winning the Celtic Challenge four years in a row
against Wales and Scotland, achieving a Bronze medal at the Euro Cup in the Federation Cup ,and winning a triples game against
Fréjus are all signs of the progress being made.
By competing at the European and World Championships, the Irish team will gain valuable international experience, raise the profile of pétanque in Ireland, and hopefully inspire future players to take up the sport.
These competitions are not only about results. They are about pride, commitment, teamwork, and representing Ireland on the international stage.
Thank You
On behalf of the Irish Pétanque Team and the wider Irish pétanque community, thank you for your support.
Your generosity will help give our players the best possible chance to represent Ireland proudly at the Europeans and at the World Championship in Thailand, while also supporting the continued development of pétanque in Ireland.