Paul Rigge (aka Riggy) Chair of the North west Federation has been awarded a well deserved Diploma by the Croquet Association, for his massive contributions to Croquet.
Paul started his croquet some 24 years ago at Bury Croquet Club. In 2002 he was involved in setting up the facility at Heaton Park in Manchester and in 2010 was on the team that organised the MacRobertson Shield there, being instrumental in getting television coverage of the event. In fact he has been a television and radio presence representing the North West Croquet Scene on several occasions.
He is larger than life character and has had a very positive effect on croquet in the North West in the last 10 years. In 2012 Paul became Secretary of the Federation and served a three year term. Since 2016 he has been the Federation Coaching Officer. His coaching is second to none for beginners, improvers and at an advanced level. Together with another player he ran the “Advanced Pods” at Bury. He is willing to travel anywhere to deliver his help and advice to the Federation members.
In 2017 Paul also volunteered to Chair the Federation, a post he also still holds at present. In 2019 he visited Stoneyhurst College and helped establish a new croquet club at the school, which is now a member of the Federation. He has constructed and maintained the websites for both Bury and now Pendle. For many years he has been Team Co-ordinator for the Lancashire team at the Counties.
He has recently become a very active member of Pendle Croquet Club and despite the Covid crisis has co-ordinated and run no less than 6 competitions in 2020. 10 more competitions are scheduled at Pendle this year – all motivated and co-ordinated by Paul.
He is active on the Tournament scene representing the North West countrywide. He works hard for the sport both on and off the lawns.
