Here are participation figures (spectator counts are mostly approximates) from Marco' Foyot's tour of the U.S. last month.
Below the figures are some links to reports, photos and stories about the various stops on the tour, then some comments and reaction from clubs and participants.
In general, the tour went extremely well. All good reports, nothing negative in the least.
Whether you were "for" or "against" this initiative earlier this year, you should be encouraged that member interest was high and that the tour was successful and worthwhile.
I hope that similar tours and activities with top international players and instructors could become a regular feature of FPUSA's program, and I would invite comments and suggestions for future consideration and reference to future boards.
I would like to thank Dan F, Etienne, Bleys, Mike, Christophe and Frank for their help with planning, logistics and publicity. Great job!
cheers -Ed
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIGURES --
Below the figures are some links to reports, photos and stories about the various stops on the tour, then some comments and reaction from clubs and participants.
In general, the tour went extremely well. All good reports, nothing negative in the least.
Whether you were "for" or "against" this initiative earlier this year, you should be encouraged that member interest was high and that the tour was successful and worthwhile.
I hope that similar tours and activities with top international players and instructors could become a regular feature of FPUSA's program, and I would invite comments and suggestions for future consideration and reference to future boards.
I would like to thank Dan F, Etienne, Bleys, Mike, Christophe and Frank for their help with planning, logistics and publicity. Great job!
cheers -Ed
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIGURES --
Zanesfield
clinics 84 visitors 10 New members: 39 juniors, 3 adults (!!!!!) Maine
Clinics/lessons: 26 Tourney: 21 Portland
BBQ social, demo: 30 Clinics/lessons: 27 Tourney: 33 Eugene
Clinic/lessons: 20 adults Junior clinics: 33 |
Lafayette
Clinics/lessons: 16 adults Demo/free play: 29 juniors Tourney: 24 Napa
guest,/spectators: 10 Clinics/lessons: 14 Ukiah
guest,/spectators: 30 Clinics/lessons: 20 Sonoma
guests/spectators: 100 Clinics/lessons: 45 Tourney: 72 Picnic: 85 New members: 3 juniors (for Petaluma) |
Las Vegas (waiting for a reply)
Social: Clinics/lessons: Austin:
guest,/spectators: 100 Clinics/lessons: 33 Tourney: 30 |
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LINKS --
Marco Foyot
https://www.facebook.com/marco.foyotofficiel
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Marco-Foyot-Tour-of-the-United-States/173319119520352?viewer_id=100001676773010
FPUSA
https://www.facebook.com/pages/FPUSA/158000217734650
http://fpusa.smugmug.com/Marco-Foyot-US-Tour-2013
Zanesfield
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=451295794989137&set=vb.100003261615359&&theater
Maine
http://bangordailynews.com/2013/10/07/sports/9-time-french-national-petanque-champ-visits-maine/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Maine-Boules-Club/125244550893949
Eugene
http://www.eugenepetanque.org/marco-foyot-visit.html
http://www.eugenepetanque.org/uploads/1/1/8/4/11840361/marco_foyot_visit_to_eugene.pdf
Portland
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Portland-Petanque-Club/289376997526
Sonoma
https://www.facebook.com/tahoepetanque
http://www.tahoepetanque.com/Photos.php
http://www.cochonnetmarin.com/blog/
http://studio7.smugmug.com/Petanque-1/Marco-Foyot
http://sonomavalley.patch.com/groups
http://www.cochonnetmarin.com/blog/2013/10/26/au-fer/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/VOMPC/178918651887?hc_location=timelinehttp://www.cochonnetmarin.com/blog/2013/10/26/au-fer/
http://www.cochonnetmarin.com/blog/2013/10/23/the-foyot-gravitational-pull-effect/
http://www.cochonnetmarin.com/blog/2013/10/21/en-attendant-foyot/
Austin
http://heartoftexas.wordpress.com/
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MEMBERS' REACTION --
From: Etienne
Date: October 31, 2013 12:36:17 PM PDT
To: Ed Porto
Subject: Re: Marco Foyot Tour completed!
Hi Ed,
Marco and Bernard arrived at Oakland from Portland on Monday afternoon, met by Pascal Gravier. Pascal took them on a short sightseeing tour of the Oakland Hills overlooking San Francisco across the bay. Arriving Chez Carolina at 5:30, they were greeted by a small contingent of 14 Lamorinda club members. We all enjoyed an aperitif before enjoying a more intimate supper with just six of us at the table. Animated discussion of the Tour to date, observations and future possibilities were the subjects.
Tuesday, 15 October was a pretty full day with two semi-private clinics (2 people each) in the morning, starting at 9:30, and group clinic with 12 people at 12:30. During the short lunch break, 29 seventh and eighth grade students arrived from the Athenian School in Danville for an immersive petanque experience. Unfortunately, because we only had one full day with Marco, and that being fully booked, we were unable to offer them more than spectator status after Bernard introduced them to M. Foyot (Athenian Visit.jpg) Nonetheless, the students made the most of the short time at their disposal (they had to get back to school by 3:30) by either playing Petanque under the tutelage of experienced Lamorinda club members, or watching the Panache that was being played simultaneously. This was the second visit of the Athenian students to Lamorinda Petanque Club and interest in the game is high.
The 3-game triplette panache was a great success for the 24 players who participated and some who could claim to have 'beaten Marco Foyot'. A hollow victory, given the circumstances....
Etienne
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Philippe Agnesse
Date: October 31, 2013 6:37:38 AM PDT
To: Ed Porto
Subject: Re: Marco Foyot Tour completed!
Hi Ed.
It was great having Marco come to Portland. Everyone really enjoyed getting to know him and learning from him. The Friday night BBQ brought about 30 people. Fri-Sun we had 13 people do a semi private lesson and 14 do group lessons. Sunday’s pananche had 33 people playing.
Philippe Agnesse
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Justin Bo Johns
Date: October 31, 2013 6:05:28 AM PDT
To: Ed Porto <
Subject: Re: Marco Foyot Tour completed!
Dear Ed,
On October 4th, I sent you an e-mail thanking you and the FPUSA for sponsoring the Marco Foyot tour and to let you know what a tremendous impact it had on my students. Here it is almost a month later, Marco’s tour is complete, and yet my students are still talking about his visit, and they are more interested than ever in the game of pétanque. Their enthusiasm has not waned whatsoever, and they continue to recruit their friends and family members to learn how to play the game. To date, thirty-one students have signed up for FPUSA junior membership, and I am certain that number will continue to grow.
Rather than just share my perspective of the event, I thought I would also share with you some of the feedback that the students gave me regarding Marco’s visit to Zanesfield.
“I thought Marco was really awesome and funny. He taught and interacted with all of us students. I think he did a really nice job of teaching us how to play pétanque. I would love to have another day like that. He should come back to Zanesfield!”
“The day was great! It was a fantastic experience for everyone involved. Meeting Marco was awesome. He seemed eager to teach and happy to be there. This was something that should absolutely happen again.”
“Pétanque was great! It was amazing to meet someone famous from France and to listen to him speak. It was cool to really play the game and to get comments from Marco.”
“The visit from Marco was a fantastic experience. I learned a lot about the game from him and I hope that others could experience it too. Marco was fun to interact with as well. The most important thing I learned was to remember, ‘It’s easy!’’
“I enjoyed the day. It allowed us to learn pétanque from an expert and it was very valuable in my learning the French language because it put us in an environment where we had to listen and analyze French. Marco was also fun to be around and I loved having him teach us something he is passionate about.”
“Marco taught us valuable skills that helped me improve my shooting and playing overall.”
“I think that the day with Marco Foyot was a fun and valuable day. He taught us a lot about pétanque and we had a great time doing it. Marco’s a great guy and a great representative of the sport, showing everyone that it’s fun and it’s easy.”
“He taught us a lot and then we got to try and do what he taught us. It was a great experience and a lot of fun!”
“It was really cool to actually meet a guy from France. It made what we are learning come to life.”
“I really enjoyed the Marco Foyot experience and now I am much more enthusiastic about pétanque.’
“I thought seeing Marco play and using the correct technique was very beneficial. It was also interesting to hear him talk, and I was able to understand most of what he said.”
“I learned a lot from Marco when he came. That day was one of the best this year, and I am looking forward to the next time he comes.”
“I think it was a good experience for everyone to get together and it was memorable and fun to learn pétanque from a world champion. It was also cool to hang out with a French person.”
“Marco Foyot’s clinic in Zanesfield was a great experience that I am thankful to have been a part of. Not only did I learn more in-depth strategies of pétanque, I was also able to apply my previous knowledge of the French language and further develop my knowledge of the culture. Overall the day was a really fun experience and I really appreciated that he visited Zanesfield.”
These are just some of the written comments that I received from my students. All of them felt that it was a great experience and that Marco was a wonderful teacher and representative of the sport.
Thank you again for sponsoring such a memorable event, and I strongly encourage the FPUSA to consider sponsoring similar tours in the future!
Sincerely,
Shannon Hodge
French Teacher
Bellefontaine High School
Bellefontaine, Ohio
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: October 29, 2013 3:04:39 PM PDT
To: Ed Porto
Subject: Marco tour Texas recap
Hi Ed--
Here is a recap of the weekend. I will work on getting the photos onto the smug site. In the meantime, below is a link to a flickr album that has a lot of photos of all the events: http://www.flickr.com/photos/106939039@N03/?find=Jeffschryver%40mac.com
But there will be more to come.
—C
The following story is true. The names were changed to protect the innocent...
Marco Foyot in Austin Oct. 24 - Oct 28.
Thurs. Oct. 24
Marco arrives at the airport. Greeted and picked up by our president, Arsene Dupin. In Texas we don't waste any time. Marco was whisked away to a welcome party hosted
by members Jeffrey and Linda Schryver. The theme was Spanish/Texas. Lots of good food, 3 simultaneous petanque games (their whole backyard is a petanque piste), music & camaraderie.
A nice time was had by all. Approx. 50 people.
Fri. Oct. 25th
Marco is taken for a sightseeing tour of downtown Austin. Lunch at one of our sponsors (Chez Nous Bistro). Later in the afternoon, he gave a private lesson to one of our
club members. Later that evening, Marco made an appearance at one of our other sponsors, Zaytouna Lounge, where we drank Moroccan tea, shared a hookah, and then he
gave a demonstration by shooting 70 boules in 20 min, hitting 64 out of 70. We had a crowd of about 50 people. Although this was not on his schedule, Marco was gracious
enough to do this demo for us.
Sat. Oct. 26th
Location: the famous "Hangar", bouleodrome of the Lone Star State. Marco was scheduled for 3 clinics, 10-12-2 PM.
31 participants showed up (7 from Dallas), and were treated to a generous 1.5 hour session of instruction, including some incredible demos by Marco, plombé-ing 15 meters & over the rebar of the rafters
and landing 20 cm from the jack. Over, and over, and over. Simply incredible. In addition, his one on one attention to each student was so genuine. I swear, I could see them improving right before
my eyes. Really well done. I acted as translator for the day, and that was rewarding as well. After the 3rd clinic, Marco gave 2 private lessons. That was interesting as well because both sessions were completely different. THe first one was for a novice player who really wants to progress. But she was extremely nervous. Marco put her at ease, and worked with her until she was pointing well, and actually
shooting boules, something she had not attempted much before. The second lesson was for a seasoned player who wanted to concentrate on improved shooting. In addition to that, he has studied Marco for
many years, and had prepared a little interview of 10 questions he had for Marco, ranging form technical tips to the psychology of competition. He wanted to get into Marco's head. Marco obliged him
100%, answering every question, adding personal anecdotes, all the while signing a steady stream of books, hats, postcards, etc. Oh, and I can't tell you how many personal photos he posed for.
and he didn't even charge for the Q & A session. He then worked with him for the full hour.
Later that evening, Marco was treated to a real slice of Austin history with a visit to "The Broken Spoke" a famous Texas honky tonk. This man must be running on empty by this point, but again, Marco is
a trooper. He came, he saw, he two-stepped.
Sun. Oct. 27
Location: French Legation. Under the mighty live oaks, on the grounds of France's former embassy to The Republic of Texas, Heart of Texas petanque club hosted a carousel triples tournament in honor
of Foyot's visit. The carousel turned around Marco, with 4 rounds of play. 20 out of 30 participants (8 from Dallas) had a chance to play either with or against Marco. After that, the top scoring six participants
got to play a final with 3rd & 4th awarded on scores alone. These were timed games of 1.25 hrs. There was a mid day break in the action for some wonderful food brought by the club and the participants.
A great pot luck lunch was enjoyed by all. Marco took home a first place medal w/ his picture on it & a bottle of wine. We later drank away his winnings... By now, the fatigue is really starting to set in. We decide
to let Marco get some rest. But not before a nightcap with his hosts Sasha and David. Great folks.
So I would say that the whole weekend was a smashing success. People were impressed with Marco's visit. Marco's teaching method, coupled with his personality made for a relaxed, fun atmosphere.
We got some great press as well— great article in the local paper metro section. 2 nice online articles as well. People actually learned something during the clinics. And the carousel tournament was a hoot,
what with all the new techniques & confidence Marco had imparted to the the day before! Marco seemed genuinely gracious and thankful to his hosts, and I think he had a blast here, if not at the risk of full on exhaustion. As they say: Don't mess with Texas....
Recap:
Party: 50 revelers + 2 dogs
Demo: 50 spectators + 1 private lesson
Clinics: 29 people + 2 private lessons + 25-40 spectators.
Tourney: 30 participants. Approx. 20-30 spectators throughout the day
Submitted by Christophe Chambers
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Ryan Baker
Date: October 29, 2013 7:24:53 AM PDT
To: Ed Porto
Subject: Re: E.P.I.C. report from Ryan Baker
Hey Ed,
Thanks to you and the board of the FPUSA. What a great tour! Attached please find my brief writeup. When can we set the date for next year's tour? Here is the link dedicated to his visit on our site. http://www.eugenepetanque.org/marco-foyot-visit.html
Carreaux et boule devant to you!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VOMPC October 25
A wonderful visit with two fabulous people! Merci Marco Foyot et Bernard Martin for making this one of the highlights of our season. Both have skills, knowledge, ability to teach with compassion and humility, are charitable and have a great sense of humor - what a package!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Lake Tahoe Pétanque Club
Date: October 21, 2013 7:37:04 PM PDT
To: Frank Pipal , Ed Porto >
Subject: Sonoma!
Ed & Frank:
It was great to meet you both over the weekend. We had a fantastic time! Great job!
I have posted a bunch of photos on our website and Facebook page -
www.tahoepetanque.com
&
www.facebook.com/tahoepetanque
Also, here are the recent articles on our club:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=658421370858168&se
&
http://www.laketahoenews.net/2013/09/petanque-growing-popularity-s-tahoe/
Thanks,
Tony
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: John Morris
Date: October 23, 2013 9:07:12 AM PDT
To: Ed Porto
Subject: Thank you!
Ed,
I want to thank you for getting Marco Foyot here to the United States.
The brief training was well worth the ride down from Placerville to
Sonoma. I especially loved the game you guys almost won at the end of
the day. Excitement was high on our side of the court in the hope of
your victory. I’m proud to have you as our acting FPUSA President, I
can think of no one better. Thanks again for the treat!
John Morris
Club Francais de Sacramento
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: October 26, 2013
Subject: Au Cochonnet Marin Blog | Les barbus au rebut! – La Foudre Productions
Au fer:
http://www.cochonnetmarin.com/blog/
From: Efron Alain
Date: October 23, 2013
Subject: Au Cochonnet Marin Blog | Les barbus au rebut! – La Foudre Productions
The Foyot gravitational pull effect:
http://www.cochonnetmarin.com/blog/
From: Alain Efron
Date: October 21, 2013
Subject: Au Cochonnet Marin Blog | Les barbus au rebut! – La Foudre Productions
En attendant Foyot:
http://www.cochonnetmarin.com/blog/
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Jim Johnson
Date: October 21, 2013 2:53:10 PM PDT
To: Ed Porto
Subject: Re: Saturday play and a Sunday event
Hi Kids
Great fun at the Valley of the Moon Club with Marco Foyot.
Check out my smugmug website for some images I took.
Blessings to all.
Jim
http://studio7.smugmug.com/Petanque-1/Marco-Foyot
Jim Johnson
Studio 7 Photography
Tel/Fax 707-778-2155
Websites
http://www.studio7photo.com
http://www.studio7.smugmug.com
http://www.petalumaphotographer.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Gary Heinrichs
Date: October 18, 2013 12:02:09 PM PDT
To: Ed Porto
Subject: Re: Petanque happenings October 2013
ed: thanks so much for bringing marco to napa and other places. It was particularly nice to be part of a small
group at clos du val and get up close and personal instructions and practise those skills. Patrick was he usual
self, helping in every way possible also. the day was perfect and I wish to personally thank bernard and marco
for their unselfish teaching to us ordinary players, who love the game so much. thanks to you. Cynthia and Gary
p.s. I tried to get my Comcast sportsnet bay area son-in-law to at least hear about it, but until petanque
measures up in popularity with the big 3 sports in America, there's not much chance that the high paying
sponsors are going to care. But we'll keep trying to promote it the best we can because we know why we love the game.
Gary Heinrichs
From: Philippe Agnesse
Date: October 31, 2013 6:37:38 AM PDT
To: Ed Porto
Subject: Re: Marco Foyot Tour completed!
Hi Ed.
It was great having Marco come to Portland. Everyone really enjoyed getting to know him and learning from him. The Friday night BBQ brought about 30 people. Fri-Sun we had 13 people do a semi private lesson and 14 do group lessons. Sunday’s pananche had 33 people playing.
Philippe Agnesse
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Justin Bo Johns
Date: October 31, 2013 6:05:28 AM PDT
To: Ed Porto <
Subject: Re: Marco Foyot Tour completed!
Dear Ed,
On October 4th, I sent you an e-mail thanking you and the FPUSA for sponsoring the Marco Foyot tour and to let you know what a tremendous impact it had on my students. Here it is almost a month later, Marco’s tour is complete, and yet my students are still talking about his visit, and they are more interested than ever in the game of pétanque. Their enthusiasm has not waned whatsoever, and they continue to recruit their friends and family members to learn how to play the game. To date, thirty-one students have signed up for FPUSA junior membership, and I am certain that number will continue to grow.
Rather than just share my perspective of the event, I thought I would also share with you some of the feedback that the students gave me regarding Marco’s visit to Zanesfield.
“I thought Marco was really awesome and funny. He taught and interacted with all of us students. I think he did a really nice job of teaching us how to play pétanque. I would love to have another day like that. He should come back to Zanesfield!”
“The day was great! It was a fantastic experience for everyone involved. Meeting Marco was awesome. He seemed eager to teach and happy to be there. This was something that should absolutely happen again.”
“Pétanque was great! It was amazing to meet someone famous from France and to listen to him speak. It was cool to really play the game and to get comments from Marco.”
“The visit from Marco was a fantastic experience. I learned a lot about the game from him and I hope that others could experience it too. Marco was fun to interact with as well. The most important thing I learned was to remember, ‘It’s easy!’’
“I enjoyed the day. It allowed us to learn pétanque from an expert and it was very valuable in my learning the French language because it put us in an environment where we had to listen and analyze French. Marco was also fun to be around and I loved having him teach us something he is passionate about.”
“Marco taught us valuable skills that helped me improve my shooting and playing overall.”
“I think that the day with Marco Foyot was a fun and valuable day. He taught us a lot about pétanque and we had a great time doing it. Marco’s a great guy and a great representative of the sport, showing everyone that it’s fun and it’s easy.”
“He taught us a lot and then we got to try and do what he taught us. It was a great experience and a lot of fun!”
“It was really cool to actually meet a guy from France. It made what we are learning come to life.”
“I really enjoyed the Marco Foyot experience and now I am much more enthusiastic about pétanque.’
“I thought seeing Marco play and using the correct technique was very beneficial. It was also interesting to hear him talk, and I was able to understand most of what he said.”
“I learned a lot from Marco when he came. That day was one of the best this year, and I am looking forward to the next time he comes.”
“I think it was a good experience for everyone to get together and it was memorable and fun to learn pétanque from a world champion. It was also cool to hang out with a French person.”
“Marco Foyot’s clinic in Zanesfield was a great experience that I am thankful to have been a part of. Not only did I learn more in-depth strategies of pétanque, I was also able to apply my previous knowledge of the French language and further develop my knowledge of the culture. Overall the day was a really fun experience and I really appreciated that he visited Zanesfield.”
These are just some of the written comments that I received from my students. All of them felt that it was a great experience and that Marco was a wonderful teacher and representative of the sport.
Thank you again for sponsoring such a memorable event, and I strongly encourage the FPUSA to consider sponsoring similar tours in the future!
Sincerely,
Shannon Hodge
French Teacher
Bellefontaine High School
Bellefontaine, Ohio
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: October 29, 2013 3:04:39 PM PDT
To: Ed Porto
Subject: Marco tour Texas recap
Hi Ed--
Here is a recap of the weekend. I will work on getting the photos onto the smug site. In the meantime, below is a link to a flickr album that has a lot of photos of all the events: http://www.flickr.com/photos/106939039@N03/?find=Jeffschryver%40mac.com
But there will be more to come.
—C
The following story is true. The names were changed to protect the innocent...
Marco Foyot in Austin Oct. 24 - Oct 28.
Thurs. Oct. 24
Marco arrives at the airport. Greeted and picked up by our president, Arsene Dupin. In Texas we don't waste any time. Marco was whisked away to a welcome party hosted
by members Jeffrey and Linda Schryver. The theme was Spanish/Texas. Lots of good food, 3 simultaneous petanque games (their whole backyard is a petanque piste), music & camaraderie.
A nice time was had by all. Approx. 50 people.
Fri. Oct. 25th
Marco is taken for a sightseeing tour of downtown Austin. Lunch at one of our sponsors (Chez Nous Bistro). Later in the afternoon, he gave a private lesson to one of our
club members. Later that evening, Marco made an appearance at one of our other sponsors, Zaytouna Lounge, where we drank Moroccan tea, shared a hookah, and then he
gave a demonstration by shooting 70 boules in 20 min, hitting 64 out of 70. We had a crowd of about 50 people. Although this was not on his schedule, Marco was gracious
enough to do this demo for us.
Sat. Oct. 26th
Location: the famous "Hangar", bouleodrome of the Lone Star State. Marco was scheduled for 3 clinics, 10-12-2 PM.
31 participants showed up (7 from Dallas), and were treated to a generous 1.5 hour session of instruction, including some incredible demos by Marco, plombé-ing 15 meters & over the rebar of the rafters
and landing 20 cm from the jack. Over, and over, and over. Simply incredible. In addition, his one on one attention to each student was so genuine. I swear, I could see them improving right before
my eyes. Really well done. I acted as translator for the day, and that was rewarding as well. After the 3rd clinic, Marco gave 2 private lessons. That was interesting as well because both sessions were completely different. THe first one was for a novice player who really wants to progress. But she was extremely nervous. Marco put her at ease, and worked with her until she was pointing well, and actually
shooting boules, something she had not attempted much before. The second lesson was for a seasoned player who wanted to concentrate on improved shooting. In addition to that, he has studied Marco for
many years, and had prepared a little interview of 10 questions he had for Marco, ranging form technical tips to the psychology of competition. He wanted to get into Marco's head. Marco obliged him
100%, answering every question, adding personal anecdotes, all the while signing a steady stream of books, hats, postcards, etc. Oh, and I can't tell you how many personal photos he posed for.
and he didn't even charge for the Q & A session. He then worked with him for the full hour.
Later that evening, Marco was treated to a real slice of Austin history with a visit to "The Broken Spoke" a famous Texas honky tonk. This man must be running on empty by this point, but again, Marco is
a trooper. He came, he saw, he two-stepped.
Sun. Oct. 27
Location: French Legation. Under the mighty live oaks, on the grounds of France's former embassy to The Republic of Texas, Heart of Texas petanque club hosted a carousel triples tournament in honor
of Foyot's visit. The carousel turned around Marco, with 4 rounds of play. 20 out of 30 participants (8 from Dallas) had a chance to play either with or against Marco. After that, the top scoring six participants
got to play a final with 3rd & 4th awarded on scores alone. These were timed games of 1.25 hrs. There was a mid day break in the action for some wonderful food brought by the club and the participants.
A great pot luck lunch was enjoyed by all. Marco took home a first place medal w/ his picture on it & a bottle of wine. We later drank away his winnings... By now, the fatigue is really starting to set in. We decide
to let Marco get some rest. But not before a nightcap with his hosts Sasha and David. Great folks.
So I would say that the whole weekend was a smashing success. People were impressed with Marco's visit. Marco's teaching method, coupled with his personality made for a relaxed, fun atmosphere.
We got some great press as well— great article in the local paper metro section. 2 nice online articles as well. People actually learned something during the clinics. And the carousel tournament was a hoot,
what with all the new techniques & confidence Marco had imparted to the the day before! Marco seemed genuinely gracious and thankful to his hosts, and I think he had a blast here, if not at the risk of full on exhaustion. As they say: Don't mess with Texas....
Recap:
Party: 50 revelers + 2 dogs
Demo: 50 spectators + 1 private lesson
Clinics: 29 people + 2 private lessons + 25-40 spectators.
Tourney: 30 participants. Approx. 20-30 spectators throughout the day
Submitted by Christophe Chambers
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Ryan Baker
Date: October 29, 2013 7:24:53 AM PDT
To: Ed Porto
Subject: Re: E.P.I.C. report from Ryan Baker
Hey Ed,
Thanks to you and the board of the FPUSA. What a great tour! Attached please find my brief writeup. When can we set the date for next year's tour? Here is the link dedicated to his visit on our site. http://www.eugenepetanque.org/marco-foyot-visit.html
Carreaux et boule devant to you!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VOMPC October 25
A wonderful visit with two fabulous people! Merci Marco Foyot et Bernard Martin for making this one of the highlights of our season. Both have skills, knowledge, ability to teach with compassion and humility, are charitable and have a great sense of humor - what a package!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Lake Tahoe Pétanque Club
Date: October 21, 2013 7:37:04 PM PDT
To: Frank Pipal , Ed Porto >
Subject: Sonoma!
Ed & Frank:
It was great to meet you both over the weekend. We had a fantastic time! Great job!
I have posted a bunch of photos on our website and Facebook page -
www.tahoepetanque.com
&
www.facebook.com/tahoepetanque
Also, here are the recent articles on our club:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=658421370858168&se
&
http://www.laketahoenews.net/2013/09/petanque-growing-popularity-s-tahoe/
Thanks,
Tony
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: John Morris
Date: October 23, 2013 9:07:12 AM PDT
To: Ed Porto
Subject: Thank you!
Ed,
I want to thank you for getting Marco Foyot here to the United States.
The brief training was well worth the ride down from Placerville to
Sonoma. I especially loved the game you guys almost won at the end of
the day. Excitement was high on our side of the court in the hope of
your victory. I’m proud to have you as our acting FPUSA President, I
can think of no one better. Thanks again for the treat!
John Morris
Club Francais de Sacramento
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Date: October 26, 2013
Subject: Au Cochonnet Marin Blog | Les barbus au rebut! – La Foudre Productions
Au fer:
http://www.cochonnetmarin.com/blog/
From: Efron Alain
Date: October 23, 2013
Subject: Au Cochonnet Marin Blog | Les barbus au rebut! – La Foudre Productions
The Foyot gravitational pull effect:
http://www.cochonnetmarin.com/blog/
From: Alain Efron
Date: October 21, 2013
Subject: Au Cochonnet Marin Blog | Les barbus au rebut! – La Foudre Productions
En attendant Foyot:
http://www.cochonnetmarin.com/blog/
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From: Jim Johnson
Date: October 21, 2013 2:53:10 PM PDT
To: Ed Porto
Subject: Re: Saturday play and a Sunday event
Hi Kids
Great fun at the Valley of the Moon Club with Marco Foyot.
Check out my smugmug website for some images I took.
Blessings to all.
Jim
http://studio7.smugmug.com/Petanque-1/Marco-Foyot
Jim Johnson
Studio 7 Photography
Tel/Fax 707-778-2155
Websites
http://www.studio7photo.com
http://www.studio7.smugmug.com
http://www.petalumaphotographer.com
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From: Gary Heinrichs
Date: October 18, 2013 12:02:09 PM PDT
To: Ed Porto
Subject: Re: Petanque happenings October 2013
ed: thanks so much for bringing marco to napa and other places. It was particularly nice to be part of a small
group at clos du val and get up close and personal instructions and practise those skills. Patrick was he usual
self, helping in every way possible also. the day was perfect and I wish to personally thank bernard and marco
for their unselfish teaching to us ordinary players, who love the game so much. thanks to you. Cynthia and Gary
p.s. I tried to get my Comcast sportsnet bay area son-in-law to at least hear about it, but until petanque
measures up in popularity with the big 3 sports in America, there's not much chance that the high paying
sponsors are going to care. But we'll keep trying to promote it the best we can because we know why we love the game.
Gary Heinrichs
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From: Bruno Bardet
Date: October 16, 2013 8:42:43 PM PDT
To: Ed Porto
Subject: Petanque World Champion Marco Foyot in Napa Valley
Hello,
Thank you for the regular members and new ones who came today and made this day very special
Sorry for those who couldn't make it I understand a week day was not the easiest day to take off.
I would like to share few pictures & wold like the players who were there and took picturesto send them back to me. Thanks
MrB
President
Napatanque Club
From: Bruno Bardet
Date: October 16, 2013 8:42:43 PM PDT
To: Ed Porto
Subject: Petanque World Champion Marco Foyot in Napa Valley
Hello,
Thank you for the regular members and new ones who came today and made this day very special
Sorry for those who couldn't make it I understand a week day was not the easiest day to take off.
I would like to share few pictures & wold like the players who were there and took picturesto send them back to me. Thanks
MrB
President
Napatanque Club
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Jeff Moore
Date: October 9, 2013 1:08:33 PM PDT
To: Ed Porto
Subject: Re: PVPC 'Indian Summer' news
Hi Ed-
Thanks so much for the info. I've made a couple of phone calls over to VOMPC the past couple of days and last I heard I'm in w/ a couple of the guys, trying to sneak one more guy in there, for a clinic 1-2:30 on Saturday the 19th. But do I pay online or simply send them a check? The kids are ready to go w/ the $5 each and are fired-up about joining the club. Their parents are also pleasantly shocked about their participation and enthusiasm for this, especially after I sent the parents that promo Petanque in the USA video. Will plan on seeing you no later than next Saturday....
Thanks again, Jeff
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Date: October 4, 2013 8:59:40 PM PDT
To: Ed Porto
Subject: From Blue Hills
Hi Éd.,
It was also a real pleasure for me and Marco to see you again in Albuquerque. I think that the Pti Louis Open was a big success for Pétanque in USA and Christophe did a very good Job. For the moment Marco is very enthousiastic with his Tour and he had a great experience with all the students and the players in Zanefield. Bo also did a great job for Petanque and The Marco Tour is very good to promote the game. As you Known Marco is very popular all around the world and is a very good teacher for everybody. We are now together again in Blue Hill with Andre Strong and tomorow we Will start clinics with all the players for Maine.
See you very soon in California.
Best
Amitiés
Bernard&Marco
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From: Shannon Hodge
Date: October 4, 2013 12:01:59 PM PDT
To: Ed Porto
Cc: Justin Bo Johns
Subject: Marco Foyot Tour: Zanesfield
Hello Ed,
My name is Shannon Hodge and I am a French teacher at Bellefontaine High School in Ohio, and I have just recently signed up for FPUSA membership through the Zanesfield Pétanque Club. I am writing to you today to let you and the Federation know that my students and I are extremely grateful for the efforts that you have made to increase pétanque awareness in the United States. Yesterday, thirty-five of my students were able to participate in the Marco Foyot tour at the Zanesfield Pétanque Club. It was an amazing experience for them, and Marco put on an incredible clinic. My students started playing at the ZPC last April after being invited by club president, Justin Bo Johns. They have really taken an interest in the sport, and yesterday Marco fueled their passion by impressing them with his skill and charisma. Twenty of these students have already filled out applications for FPUSA membership through the Zanesfield Petanque Club, and I believe that many more will follow suit. The students’ enthusiasm has been contagious, and parents, teachers, principals, and community members have all expressed their gratitude for allowing our youth to take part in such a memorable event. The students are already asking if they will get to see Marco again next year in Zanesfield. I truly believe that having the opportunity to interact with a player of Marco’s caliber had and will continue to have a tremendous impact on the awareness of the sport and will increase membership in the FPUSA. I commend you for organizing this incredible event and I hope that the FPUSA will continue to sponsor tours such as this, especially with someone as personable, knowledgeable, and unforgettable as Marco Foyot.
Sincerely,
Shannon Hodge
French Teacher
Bellefontaine High School
Bellefontaine, Ohio
From: Jeff Moore
Date: October 9, 2013 1:08:33 PM PDT
To: Ed Porto
Subject: Re: PVPC 'Indian Summer' news
Hi Ed-
Thanks so much for the info. I've made a couple of phone calls over to VOMPC the past couple of days and last I heard I'm in w/ a couple of the guys, trying to sneak one more guy in there, for a clinic 1-2:30 on Saturday the 19th. But do I pay online or simply send them a check? The kids are ready to go w/ the $5 each and are fired-up about joining the club. Their parents are also pleasantly shocked about their participation and enthusiasm for this, especially after I sent the parents that promo Petanque in the USA video. Will plan on seeing you no later than next Saturday....
Thanks again, Jeff
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: October 4, 2013 8:59:40 PM PDT
To: Ed Porto
Subject: From Blue Hills
Hi Éd.,
It was also a real pleasure for me and Marco to see you again in Albuquerque. I think that the Pti Louis Open was a big success for Pétanque in USA and Christophe did a very good Job. For the moment Marco is very enthousiastic with his Tour and he had a great experience with all the students and the players in Zanefield. Bo also did a great job for Petanque and The Marco Tour is very good to promote the game. As you Known Marco is very popular all around the world and is a very good teacher for everybody. We are now together again in Blue Hill with Andre Strong and tomorow we Will start clinics with all the players for Maine.
See you very soon in California.
Best
Amitiés
Bernard&Marco
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Shannon Hodge
Date: October 4, 2013 12:01:59 PM PDT
To: Ed Porto
Cc: Justin Bo Johns
Subject: Marco Foyot Tour: Zanesfield
Hello Ed,
My name is Shannon Hodge and I am a French teacher at Bellefontaine High School in Ohio, and I have just recently signed up for FPUSA membership through the Zanesfield Pétanque Club. I am writing to you today to let you and the Federation know that my students and I are extremely grateful for the efforts that you have made to increase pétanque awareness in the United States. Yesterday, thirty-five of my students were able to participate in the Marco Foyot tour at the Zanesfield Pétanque Club. It was an amazing experience for them, and Marco put on an incredible clinic. My students started playing at the ZPC last April after being invited by club president, Justin Bo Johns. They have really taken an interest in the sport, and yesterday Marco fueled their passion by impressing them with his skill and charisma. Twenty of these students have already filled out applications for FPUSA membership through the Zanesfield Petanque Club, and I believe that many more will follow suit. The students’ enthusiasm has been contagious, and parents, teachers, principals, and community members have all expressed their gratitude for allowing our youth to take part in such a memorable event. The students are already asking if they will get to see Marco again next year in Zanesfield. I truly believe that having the opportunity to interact with a player of Marco’s caliber had and will continue to have a tremendous impact on the awareness of the sport and will increase membership in the FPUSA. I commend you for organizing this incredible event and I hope that the FPUSA will continue to sponsor tours such as this, especially with someone as personable, knowledgeable, and unforgettable as Marco Foyot.
Sincerely,
Shannon Hodge
French Teacher
Bellefontaine High School
Bellefontaine, Ohio