Steve Rigby

A retired headmaster from various Oldham schools, Steve coached both Rugby League and chess, with great success to put Oldham on the map. In 1984, Steve coached the Oldham junior schools rugby league team, which qualified to play at Wembley, prior to the Challenge Cup final. In 1978 he founded a chess club for local youngsters - "3Cs" (Children's Chess Club) - which has since produced 39 Internationals, 23 British champions and a Grandmaster. This year 3Cs won the national chess "Club of the Year" award for the third time, while no other club in the country has won it more than once since it was first presented in 1984. The club was also featured on BBC 1's "The One Show" in October 2023. In December 2023, Steve was honoured with the national Points of Light award, the winners of which are personally selected by the Prime Minister, for voluntary work they provide for their local community.