Malcolm McKenzie plays Pentanque, French Boule for Macduff Petanque and has been playing for over 30 years. He set up the Macduff Pentanque Club in 2022 when he retired to the town after 32 years in the Royal Navy.
In 2019 he was asked to be the National Coach for Scotland where the main task was to setup a coaching structure and deliver Petanque to the clubs across Scotland. Post Covid he was selected to represent Scotland at the 2021 World Championships. More recently he has assisted international teams as their coach and Head of Delegation.
His last internation competition was the European Veterans Triples in which they achieved a Bronze medal in the Nations Cup. His role in the team is generally the middle player / Captain, and his National team the Macduff Boule Sharks recently won the Mens National Triples.
Initially I took up the sport because my partner played, however i remained in the sport because of the friendship within the community, tactical challenge and the accessible nature of the game.
Fareham Petanque club in Hampshire.
Becoming the National Coach and subsequently changing the International Selection to a process that empowered individuals to demonstrate their individual skill. A thick skin and good communication skills assisted me in taking the National body through a journey of change.
I have already achieved 2 of the goals for the year, get a medal at the European Championships and wing the Men's National triples. The final goal for the year is to gain selection to represent Scotland again next year and to hopefully become the National Lead for Juniors.
Having retired early, 4 years ago, i have the time to practice. A playing standard is maintained by regular competitions and club play, in the run up to the European championships my training programme was focused on stamina a fitness whilst 30 minutes of focussed practice each day. The main impact to normal life is having to stick to a routine.
I approach the game with persistence, learning from previous setbacks to continue to improve. I have good teamwork thriving in triples competitions supporting teammates and building team spirit.
In a year, playing year generally April to September, there will be approx 12 competitions ranging from club competitions to International representation
I focus on staying calm and analysing what I can learn. I reflect on my performance to identify small improvements, and then put these into practice in training.
During competition, I remind myself to reset quickly, support my teammates, and concentrate on the next boule rather than dwelling on mistakes. This resilience helps me stay positive and consistent, even under pressure. Over time, I’ve learned that setbacks are not failures, but opportunities to grow stronger as a player and as part of a team.
From the wider world of sport, my biggest inspiration is Andy Murray. His resilience through injuries, his fighting spirit, and his determination to succeed against the very best have always stood out to me.
Representing my Country on the International Stage.
Clear goals – whether that’s improving my pointing accuracy, developing consistency in shooting, or preparing for upcoming competitions. I break these goals into smaller steps so I can measure progress and stay encouraged. Most importantly, I remind myself that training is what builds confidence for competition – knowing I’ve put in the work helps me stay sharp, positive, and ready when it matters most.
Enjoy the journey and not worry too much about results at the beginning. Focus on learning the basics, practising regularly, and celebrating small improvements.
All of the competitions are self funded, so that pass will help remove a financial pressure. It will ensure that gym work is not blocked and stamina can be maintained through the winter months.