It is with a heavy heart that the KPA must announce the passing of a pétanque stalwart, Ray Keemer-Richards.
The effort and support Ray gave to the KPA was invaluable. Not always in the limelight, but often there to help out, whether this was during his time on the committee or holding various positions including membership secretary. A strong supporter of Junior players, Ray’s enthusiasm and encouragement seemed never ending.
I can certainly speak for his time at the Railway – after a match he would discuss with the teams improvements to the Railway pistes, an arrangement would be made for a maintenance day, but Ray would often attend before on his own and do the work himself! Then there was the work he did with the national game. From the BPA to EPA to PE, an original director of the company in 2018 until his resignation due to ill health in 2024.
Towards the end of his tenure as a director he regularly attended the Inter Regional Championships and was instrumental in helping develop the annual raffle to raise funds for the Juniors. Both before his appointment and as a director, Ray regularly attended AGMs in ongoing support of the organisation. Ray also supported the introduction of the EuroCup Plate competition, still going strong today, encouraging clubs knocked out in the early stages to compete against clubs of similar levels, and have their own finals day.
In March 2025, Ray was presented with his long service award at the Pétanque England AGM.
There have been so many pleasant comments from various people involved in our sport, but one stood out from them all, from acting President Colin Roper: “I will miss Ray’s bright response on the telephone, ‘Hello Colin, how are you?!’ every time when I called!”.
The KPA, and I am sure all players in Kent, would be thinking of Ayjay & family at this difficult time.
