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The logo is a simple graphic representing a sphere (a ball) - it is divided in segments by a cross hatching either of two or three lines in the top left hand side of the circle.
The two line cross hatch divides the sphere into 9 segments - the hash sign is also the symbol for a number, pound or money and is an important key on all portable phones and all keyboards, it is an excellent branding device. The three line cross hatching divided the sphere into 16 segments - this also looks similar to the "windows" sign, but as it is made from continuous lines there is no risk of copyright problems. The sphere can be any colour and it is suggested that differing services or market segments could be identified with a colour or colours A "master" sphere can have a number of colours and represent a group of services The circle can be shaded, shadowed or a plain colour - all work well and it is a simple device to draw and reproduce. One or more spheres (balls) can be used in the logo. There are many phrases using the word "ball" or "balls" which are positive and reinforce the companies vision and mission. Most are positive and, at worst, amusing - to have "balls" implies strength and courage. The idea for the design came from the image of a petanque ball - many of the connotations of a ball and the words and game of petanque are good for presenting the vision and ideas of the company. The word Petanque is directly from the local Provencal French "Pied Tanque" - "to keep ones feet firmly planted on the ground" - which is a good company motto. The game of petanque is International with clubs in most countries - Googling Petanque revealed active groups in all main English speaking countries, especially the USA, Britain and Australia It is a relatively new game and derived (1910) from the more aggressive boules or bocce - credit is given to Jean le Noir, an elderly boules player from Marseilles, who in 1910 is said to have played boules from a wheelchair and won. This more relaxed and simpler game took off, in France 10 million people regularly play in registered competitions and every village will have a "bouladrome" where petanque is played by many more. Petanque is a sport in which there is absolutely equal opportunity is for all ages and every person, male female, disadvantaged, rich or poor. All that is needed is two or three simple metal balls (which can be borrowed), and any piece of ground, anywhere. Again, the openness of the sport and the completely integration and equality for all people is the vision of the company. The rules are simple and the conventions of hospitality and conviviality are well known. It is said that drinking large quantities of Pernod or other drinks is part of the rules, but this is not true (at least not written down anywhere) There are some "interesting" and very French traditions - for example... == To fanny ("mettre fanny" in French) means To beat one's opponents 13 to 0. The figure of a bare-bottomed lass named Fanny is ubiquitous in Provence wherever pétanque is played. It is traditional that when a player loses 13 to 0 it is said that "il est fanny" (he's fanny) or"il a fait fanny" (he made fanny), and that he has to kiss the bottom of a girl called Fanny. Since there is rarely an obliging Fanny's fanny handy (actually there often is and this may explain the popularity of the game) , there is usually a substitute picture, woodcarving or pottery so that Fanny’s bottom is available. More often, the team which made "fanny" has to offer a beverage to the winning team (see the French popular expression "Fanny paye à boire !"). == Summary of Petanque rules The game is generally played one of three different configurations: * triplets, with two teams of three players each (two boules per player) * doublets, with two teams of two players each (three boules per player) * singles, played between two players (three boules per player) The boules are made of metal and weigh between 650 g and 800 g, with a diameter of between 70.5 mm and 80 mm. The jack is made of wood or synthetic material and has a diameter of between 25 mm and 35 mm. The playing area should be at least 15 meters (49 ft) long, by 4 meters (13 ft) wide. A player from the side that wins the toss starts the game by drawing a circle on the playing field (35 to 50 cm in diameter). Both feet must be inside this circle, touching the ground, when throwing. The player then throws the jack to a distance of between six and 10 metres from the starting circle. The jack must be visible and at least one metre from any obstacle or boundary, otherwise it must be thrown again. A player from the side that wins the toss then plays the first boule, generally trying to place it as close to the jack as possible. The opposing team must then get one of their balls closer to the jack, and keeps playing until they succeed. When they do, it is back to the first team to do better, and so forth. A player may choose to 'point' a boule (get it as near as possible to the jack) or 'shoot' it (attempt to strike and displace another boule). When one team runs out of boules the other team plays their remaining boules. When all boules have been played, that is the end of a 'round', and the winning team scores a point for each boule that is nearer to the jack than the opposing team's nearest boule. Displacing the jack with a boule is also allowed. It is an advantageous (albeit dangerous) play for a skilled player late in a round, when all or most members of his team have played their balls past the jack. The team that wins a round starts the next one, and a new circle is drawn where the jack ended up in the previous round. If a boule completely crosses any of the predetermined boundaries, it is considered dead and cannot be scored. Likewise, if the jack is moved and subsequently completely crosses a boundary, the round is scratched and the jack is thrown again. If only one team has boules remaining to throw when this occurs, they receive points for every unplayed ball. Accordingly, the (extremely difficult) play of deliberately shooting out the jack is a winning gambit in some circumstances. A complete game is usually played up to 13 points. Copyright of the logo has been established by open and wide publication, but it is required to register several of the designs as a trade mark when capital is available. |
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