University honours Rovers coach as fans take centre stage of historic year
SUCCESS: Willie Peters receiving his honour
By Phil Ascough
There was none of the red and white smoke or “red, red robin” chants as Hull Kingston Rovers staged their final public celebration of a momentous year, but there was a rendition of the fans’ ‘A Little Respect’ anthem – albeit an unfamiliar one.
An orchestral composition provided an appropriate introduction to the quiet dignity of the conferment of an honorary degree by the University of Hull on Willie Peters, the coach with the magic touch who led the Robins to their historic treble.
Clad in academic gowns, participants in the parade included university officials, previous recipients of honorary doctorates Neil Hudgell, owner of Rovers, club chair Paul Sewell, and Willie himself.
With the formalities over, the dignitaries departed, discarded their finery and returned to their seats to watch the other highlight of a triumphant double bill – the world premiere of the latest film in the Renaissance series charting the club’s transformation.
But the heroes of the occasion were the fans, stars of the film and credited by the club, the university and political and business leaders in the audience as a key factor in building confidence, investment and sustainability in east Hull and the wider region.
Political leaders showed their support with Hull East MP Karl Turner featuring in the film, former Hull West and Hessle MP Alan Johnson conferring the degree in his role as chancellor of the University, and Mike Ross, leader of Hull City Council, taking his seat in the audience, as did Anne Handley, leader of East Riding Council.
Business representatives included Kathryn Shillito, executive director of Hull Business Improvement District (BID), which plays a big part in keeping Hull city centre fit for purpose as a stage for big events – none bigger in recent years than Rovers’ two trophy celebrations of 2025, for which the club reported a total attendance of around 60,000 people.
HISTORIC: Hull KR fans celebrating the club’s incredible season
There’s never a shortage of people eager to pick faults for personal and political gain, but the infrastructure and know-how essential to deliver such events so quickly is only in place because of the strength of the partnerships which underpin the city.
After the ceremony, Councillor Ross said: “It was great to see the celebrations of a fantastic season for Hull Kingston Rovers. It is a club that’s rooted in the community in east Hull, and you can tell how much the club means to the fans – and also what the fans mean to the club.
“The success of the club this season is demonstrative of the attitude of the city – one where people look to work with each other rather than against each other.
“Hull is a place where people from various sectors – academic, public, private and voluntary –see the value of working alongside each other to get more for the city and its residents.”
Professor Kevin Kerrigan, interim vice chancellor of the university, spoke of the links with the club as both partners work to educate and inspire.
A student from the university will travel as a content creator when Rovers head to Las Vegas for their big match against Leeds Rhinos on February 28. The university also features in the new alternate team shirt, which celebrates the work of George Gray in pioneering the LCD technology now in everyday use in modern electronic devices.
With the university heading into its centenary year in 2027, Alan Johnson noted that never before had an honorary degree been conferred in a separate ceremony.
LEADERSHIP: From left, Paul Sewell, Willie Peters and Neil Hudgell
Willie Peters told the audience in Middleton Hall that he connected with the people of east Hull as soon as he took up his post in 2022 and sensed similarities with his home community in Maroubra, Sydney.
He said: “Hull people are down to earth, genuine people who don’t get things easy. When you’ve had an upbringing of not having things handed to you, you have to work hard for it. That often brings the best out of you.
"I’m proud of where I’ve come from, and equally proud to be the head coach of Hull Kingston Rovers, and to be a part of this great community.”
He closed by underlining the club’s ongoing goal: “To give our fans a rugby team that they can be proud of week in, week out.”
Neil Hudgell, who emerged from a disadvantage upbringing to build a highly successful law firm and lead the regeneration at Rovers, recalled a time when links with academia were fanciful.
He said: “The university has always been a mystical place to me. It was a faraway institution that you could never get anywhere near. Social mobility was not a thing at that time.
“The relationship between the club and the university now is incredibly important because it gives kids from the estates who are as bright as anybody else aspirations. For people to see Willie Peters as an Honorary Doctor of Letters with this fine institution is fabulous.”
The film, which will air to coincide with the match in Las Vegas, was made locally by Eski media and has been picked up by Sky in the UK and Fox for international distribution.
With the title Memories Are Better Than Dreams, the film goes behind the scenes at the 2025 Challenge Cup Final, from fans gathering at Sewell Group Craven Park to taking over Queen Victoria Square for their long-awaited cup winners’ party.
Paul Sewell said: “The reason we made the film was to show how when you have elite sport, a disadvantaged community and business leadership on top of that it opens up opportunities. Our energy comes from our community.”