By Gauri Mangala
Features Editor

On Wednesday, Oct. 7, Neshaminy’s New Petanque Club met for the first time. Led by advisors, Joanne Robb and Gina Abraham, the first meeting allowed interested students the opportunity to try their hand at the French sport. But what is Petanque?

“Only the coolest French sport ever,” Robb said. Originating in Provence, France in the beginning of the 20th century, Petanque shares extreme similarities to the Italian sport, Bocce ball. The sport involves taking turns throwing small metal balls near a wooden ball, or cochonnet, the goal of which is to get as close to the wooden ball as possible.

“Petanque is played in the south of France. Usually by the older men. But it’s become kind of a cool thing to do. University of Pennsylvania has a pretty big Petanque club.” Robb said.

The new club not only gives students a way to play Petanque, but also a way to learn about French culture. Students will be able to experience French food and French music. “It’s an interesting way to talk about French culture, a fun way to talk about French culture without having the anxiety of doing French,” Abraham said.

However, although the club involves a french sport, the club is not a French club. “Anyone is allowed to join. You don’t have to be taking a language, that’s not important,” Robb said. The farsighted goal of the club is to create Petanque clubs in other high schools in the area, allowing students to compete in Petanque tournaments and competitions, like any other high school sport. The club will be meeting every other Wednesday for convience.