NZ selection for Masterton petanque players

Two members of the Masterton Petanque Club have been selected to play for New Zealand in the trans-Tasman clash with Australia at Levin on May 13 and 14, with a third named as a reserve.
Barbara Johnston is part of the women's team and Doug Hay the senior over-60yrs men's team while Claire Wilson will be on the bench for the women's side.
Representing New Zealand is nothing new for Johnston. She has played for them at two Oceania tournaments and in 2002 became the first New Zealand player to win a gold medal at that event when she took out the women's singles title in New Caledonia.
Johnston and Wilson paired for New Zealand in the women's doubles at the same tourney, making it through to the last eight before being eliminated.
Doug Hay actually lives in Palmerston North but is a member of the Masterton club and plays competitively for them at inter-club level.
Meanwhile, another stalwart of the Masterton Petanque Club,Graeme Morris, is about to stand down as chief executive officer of Petanque New Zealand. He has held that position for five years after first becoming part of the PNZ board in 1999. He has also managed New Zealand teams to two Oceania championships and five world championships.
Morris said his decision to retire as CEO came through a feeling that it was time for a change.
He will, however, retain close links with petanque, both as a player and as a supporter of the Masterton club.
"It will be nice to get back to focussing on what is happening here locally," he said.