Boules Final 2026 - Hotham Park
And the winner is...
Boules is a serious business in France, it’s not just a game but a way of life. In Bognor Regis though it’s a game played not so seriously and much more for fun. As an example of this, the finals of the annual competition, organised by the Bognor Regis Town Twinning Association, were recently held in Hotham Park and much enjoyed.
Starting in March each year, teams in the Association play against each other, trying to gain points for a place in the Finals. Four teams eventually competed in the Semi-Finals on a very sunny Sunday. The winners of the semi-finals were the Amiaboules team and the Incrediboules team. These two teams then played each other in the Finals for the chance of winning the coveted cut glass trophy. It was an extremely close game, which had spectators on the edge of their seats at times, with skilful boule throwing from both sides as well as some occasional luck.
The winners were the Amiaboules team, comprising Mike Turner, Andrew Lubienski and Ian Mitchell, who were congratulated and presented with the trophy by the Twinning Association Chairman, Heather Perrott.
s always, the recent tournament and subsequent Finals in Bognor Regis were all played in a very friendly spirit. However, things can sometimes be different in France. In June this year, in the small seaside resort of Mimizan, in south-west France, a mega rivalry between two rival boules teams turned aggressive. Tensions flared in the heat and two of the men, both pensioners, grappled with each other. Punches were thrown before the victim was struck in the head with one of the heavy metal boules, weighing between 650g and 800g each. Sadly, the victim collapsed, suffered a heart attack and later died. An 81-year-old man has since been charged.
Fortunately for all, boules is a non-contact sport with a low risk of injury. It does involve throwing the heavy metal boules as closely as possible to a small wooden or plastic ball, called a cochonnet but the boules are expected to and should always stay on the piste. They certainly do in Bognor Regis!
And Bognor Regis is lucky to have its own boules piste in Hotham Park, located near the Adventure Golf. Many groups play regularly, including those from the U3A and from Twinning groups. The piste is open to the public with boules available at the nearby kiosk.
