Bayfair Pétanque Club is encouraging locals to give the game a go.

Even if you've never held a boule before – pétanque is not only effortlessly learnable but also offers a fantastic opportunity for socialising, says club captain Alf Weston.

'It can be competitive, but we tend to have a lot of relaxed banter and chat,” says Alf.

'We do hand out prizes, so we recognise achievement – but that's not the focus.”

The club plays twice a week at Bayfair Reserve on Russley Drive – on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12.45pm.

'We play three games, which takes a couple of hours. I come over to the Mount from Matua and we have people from Welcome Bay, Pāpāmoa and all over Tauranga.

'Because we play in the middle of the day, it lends itself to retirees and is also great for people with limited mobility.”

The club prides itself on being a welcoming and diverse community of players, says Alf.

'We have a school teacher who plays in the holidays who'd be in her thirties and our older members are in their eighties.

'What I like is that it's a low impact sport. It's good exercise without realising it – you're walking, bending over, and throwing a 700-gram boule.”

John Muller in action at Bayfair Pétanque Club on a recent Tuesday. Photo: John Borren.

During summer, the club arranges twilight pétanque matches in the evenings, and also hosts social events and dinners throughout the year.

'We do provide boules if people want to come along to try it out. We can talk new players through how to play.

'We don't take ourselves too seriously. It's simply good, easy fun with a great group of people.”

To enquire about Bayfair Pétanque Club and playing pétanque, phone Alf on 021 175 9282.