Hull KR head coach receives honorary degree

Hull Kingston Rovers' head coach Willie Peters has received an honorary degree from the University of Hull.

The university said it was in recognition of Peters' "inspirational leadership and transformational impact".

Earlier this year, Peters earned the title of Super League Coach of the Year after winning three trophies, guiding the Robins to victory in the Challenge Cup Final, the League Leaders' Shield and the Super League Grand Final.

University of Hull chancellor, the Rt Hon Alan Johnson, conferred on Peters an Honorary Doctor of Letters at a ceremony earlier.

Peters said it was a "huge honour" to be given the doctorate.

"I'm seen as the person getting it, but so many people have helped me achieve this," he said.

"Something that I'll cherish forever."

Peters arrived as head coach in the winter of 2022, when the most recent items of silverware in Hull KR's trophy cabinet were the one-off Challenge Plate from a rare visit to Wembley in 1997, and a handful of subsequent second-tier honours.

In May 2024, the Australian signed a four-year contract that will keep him at the club until the end of the 2028 season.

In June 2025, Hull KR beat Warrington Wolves 8-6 to win only their second Challenge Cup, 45 years after their one and only previous triumph.

In September, they clinched League Leaders' Shield following another victory over Warrington.

And in October, Hull KR added a third trophy when they became only the fifth team to win a Super League Grand Final, beating Wigan Warriors at Old Trafford.

Peters was also selected as an assistant coach for his national team Australia for the Kangaroos' Ashes tour in England in the autumn.

He was one of five "distinguished honourees" made Doctors of Letters, the university said.

The others include:

• Lee Radford - former Hull FC coach
• Rory Clarke - managing director of J R Rix & Sons Ltd
• Lesley Gracie: master distiller at Hendrick's Gin Distillery
• Yiannis Koursis: CEO of The Bedford College Group

Listen to highlights fromHull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look Northor tell us about a story you think we should be coveringhere.

Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices