As a result of a very successful performance by the National Seniors Team at the recent Trans Tasman Tournament held in Christchurch, I have received a number of inquiries from individuals wanting to know what they needed to achieve to be considered for next years team.
Australia will host next years event and I would like to encourage as many as possible of the competitive 'Over 60s' to put their names forward for consideration for selection in the 6 man, 6 women National Senior Team. To qualify for selection you will need to be 60+ years of age by 31st January 2009.
The following tournaments will be the key events for individuals to perform well in relative to their peers. There is no requirement to play in them all but obviously the more consistent, positive performances one achieves; the likelihood of being selected will be enhanced.
Please note that strong performances in other Open and Regional competitions will also be beneficial towards selection but individuals will have to forward their results to me for consideration. Note also that you will have to be 60+ years of age by 1 December 2008 to play in the National Seniors Championship. Individuals having their birthday after this date but before 31/01/09 will still qualify for selection.
The format for the senior section of the Trans Tasman consists of men's, women's and mixed doubles and triples so competing in any of the listed tournaments as a mixed team won't be a disadvantage. Also your partner doesn't necessarily have to be over sixty, other than when playing in the National Senior Doubles.
I would expect the terrains in Australia for next years Trans Tasman to be a great deal coarser than we experience playing on in NZ. Shooters will need to have the confidence to shoot on the full and pointers will need to point bothe high and demi-lobs. On the Assie terrains our pointers will struggle to be effective if they tend to drop their boules a couple of metres in front of themselves and expect to consistently roll up to the cochonnet.
As can be confirmed by past and present National Senior members, representing your sport and country is an experience to be cherished and even more so when you are jostling for Trans Tasman supremancy.
To date the Trans Tasman senior competition is locked at two apiece with all victories going to the hosts. The challenge for the 'Class of 2009' will be to break this deadlock and win for the first time in Aussie's backyard.
The team will be announced by 9th February 2009.
You will find on www.petanquenz.com the Senior Selection application form which needs to be submitted to PNZ, c/- 126 Northshore Road, RD 2, Napier by the close off date 01/12/08.
Murray Porter
Senior Selector