15.9.2000

In summertime at a park In wintertime in Petanque hall of Helsinki Petanque league Petanque Tournaments Person in charge

Petanque - the best game of TIKU! It became a part of TIKUs selection of sports, games and culture on 7.3.1997 from initiative by Esko Riste and with the favourable co-operation with TIKUs council. Near by half of the staff of Statistics Finland, 783 end of September 1997, are members of TIKU. As a game petanque is certainly one of the easiest games to start. Within five minutes anyone can begin. To become a real good player is another thing. It can take years. In summer time at Katri Vala Park In summer time 1997,1998,1999 and 2000 the game has been played from beginning of May on Thursdays at 16 - 18 at Katri Vala park (about 10 minute walk from statistic Finland building, at the map the dark green area after the word Torkkelinmäki). The Thursday games are meant for all members of TIKU from beginners to master players. The outside games ends at the end of September of at the beginning of October. In summertime 1997 there were totally 16 players, from which 13 participated at least 3 times and 3 only once. Approximately 6 players were present at a time. In summertime 1998 there were totally 18 players from which 12 participated at least 2 times and 6 only once. Approximately 5 players have been present at a time. In summertime 1999 there were totally 9 players. Approximately 4 players have been present at a time. In summertime 2000 there were totally 8 players. Approximately 4 players have been present at a time. Additional games are played on weekends once a month. TIKU has some petanque balls so own balls are not necessary needed. In winter time in Pasila petanque hall In winter season 1997 / 1998 from beginning of October until end of April part of the players moved to play in Pasila petanque hall on Thursdays at 17.00 - 18.00. In winter season 1998 / 1999 from beginning of October until end of April we were playing again in Pasila petanque hall on Thursdays at 17.00 - 18.30. And so it was also in winter season 1999 / 2000. Every player pays part of the rent with small support from TIKU. Additional games are played on weekends once a month. During wintertime on 1997/1998 and also 1998/1999 there were totally 7 players. During wintertime on 1999/2000 there were totally 5 players. Approximately 3 players were present at a time. Wintergames will continue in winter 2000/2001 . Helsinki Petanque League The Firm League is meant for Petanque teams of workplaces and firms on the capital city Helsinki area. The team of Statistics Finland (Matti Kauhanen, Lasse Leino, Christer Nyman, Raimo Rantonen and Esko Riste) participated on autumn season 1997 for the first time ever at Helsinki Petanque League or Firm League (2-division, group "Helsinki 2"). This was with no doubt enormous achievement in world history. The team of Statistics Finland (Matti Kauhanen, Christer Nyman, Kirsi Palteisto, Raimo Rantonen and Esko Riste) participated on spring season 1998 for the second timeat Firm League. The team of Statistics Finland (Matti Kauhanen, Christer Nyman, Riitta Poukka, Raimo Rantonen and Esko Riste) participated on autumn season 1998 for the third timeat Firm League. The team of Statistics Finland ( Christer Nyman, Riitta Poukka, Jarmo Ranki, Raimo Rantonen and Esko Riste) participated on spring season 1999 for the fourth time at Firm League and on autumn season 1999 for the fifth time at Firm League. The team of Statistics Finland ( Christer Nyman, Jarmo Ranki, Raimo Rantonen and Esko Riste and in spring 2000 once Tenho Vastaranta ) participated on spring season 2000 for the sixth time at Firm League and on autumn season 2000 for the seventh time at Firm League. In adddition there was also winter season for the first time in many years. We participated with the same team. In autumn 1997 the result was third place - bronze. In addition to the bronze prize our team got a special prize as the best new team (in 2-division). Each player got also a medal. In spring 1998 the result was a lot worse than in autumn 1997 - sixt place. In autumn 1998 the result was first price - gold. In spring 1999 and in autumn 1999 we were playing on higher level in 1-division. The Result of spring season in 1-Division was 11. place but we kept our place in 1-division. 13. , 14. , 15. and 16. teams are playing in autumn at 2-division. 13. , 14. and 16. teams and out team war new teams in 1-division and only we kept our place. The Result of autumn season 1999 in 1-Division was a lot worse (13. of 14). So in the year 2000 we were playing again on lower level in 2-division. In winter 2000 we were seventh from total 16 teams. The teams were mixed from all divisions. In spring 2000 we were fourth. In autumn 2000 we were second - silver. The four silver medalists from 2-Divisions and 11. and 12. from 1-division had trial competition of two places in 1-Division. Four teams of six participated. We were the second. So in spring 2001 we are again playing in 1-Division. Petanque Tournaments Our players have participated in some other Petanque tournaments including also Finnish Championship Games 2000, 1999 and 1998 but until now without a big success.

Person in charge of TIKUs petanque Esko Riste, 4 C, room 4016 , phone 2229.

Text: Esko Riste WWW-implementation: Christer Nyman