Sewell on the go reports on Willie Peters' Honorary Doctorate
Mark Chestney joined Sewell On The Go in August 2025 after many years working in the private sector, but his great passion is rugby league. Mark works at our Hull West (North Ferriby A63 Westbound) store but has for many years supported one of our partners, Hull KR.
Mark’s other talent and passion is one of writing about the game he loves, at all levels. Over the past 40 years, he’s written many articles about Rovers, supplying newspapers, magazines, journals and websites with content over the years.
“From a very early age I caught the rugby league bug and still have it to this day,” said Mark, who turns 67 this year.
“I got into writing by chance when I watched the amateur games on a Saturday and was asked to write a weekly round up and it just went from there. 2025 was a special year for me as it was over 40 years since I had seen the club win a trophy, and now, they have a cabinet full but there will always be room for more.”
Mark was recently invited to a very special occasion as Robins Head Coach, Willie Peters, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Hull University and it gave him the opportunity to pen an article on this for Sewell Group. Have a read of it below…
Memories are better than dreams
Since 1985 the cupboard has been bare but in 2025 Hull Kingston Rovers changed all that with not one, not two but three trophies being placed in the trophy cabinet at Sewell Group Craven Park. In June they lifted the Challenge Cup before leaving it late to pick up the League Leaders Shield before beating current champions Wigan Warriors under the lights in the ‘Theatre of Dreams’, Old Trafford, the home of Manchester United.
Late in 2024, what would end up, as a fly on the wall documentary following the club. However, who would have dreamed it would end the way it did. It will be a seven-part documentary entitled – ‘Renaissance – A Hull KR Story’.
To celebrate the winning of the ‘historic treble’, something only four clubs have ever done, Head Coach Willie Peters was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Hull in recognition of his outstanding contribution to sport and the city of Hull. The prestigious ceremony took place on Wednesday 17th December at the University’s Middleton Hall, where Peters was honoured in front of a packed auditorium of graduates, academic leaders and invited guests.
Peters joins Hull KR owner Neil Hudgell and Club Chairman Paul Sewell OBE who are previous recipients of this award. Robert Dover, Professor and the (Interim) Executive Dean of the Faculty of Business, Law and Politics, delivered a full oration highlighting Peters’ achievements in Rugby League and his leadership at Hull KR.
Speaking on Peters’ influence, the Chancellor said: “In recognition of your significant contribution to the field of sport, I confer upon you the degree of Doctor of Letters, honoris causa.” The award was presented to Peters by University Chancellor, the former MP for Hull West and Haltemprice and Government Minster Alan Johnson.
Peters was then invited to address the congregation as the University’s newest Honorary Graduate and was, as usual, quick to praise his family and those behind the scenes at Hull KR. Peters said: “I am honoured to accept this honorary degree from the University of Hull.
“It was an extremely proud moment for my family and I when I opened the letter to find out I had been nominated for the degree. I know this is seen as an individual award, however there are so many people who support me to be able to do the job I do.
“Thank you to my family, my staff and the very supportive board I have at Hull KR. However, it’s the players who deserve the most recognition as we are all here to support them so they can reach their full potential and deliver consistent performances week in, week out.”
So what is next for the 2025 rampant Robins?
There is the small matter of taking on Australian NRL champions Brisbane Broncos at the MKM Stadium on Thursday 19th February. This is sadly due to Sewell Group Craven Park not having the capacity to host the most prestigious World Club Challenge, to hopefully add another major honour to the trophy cabinet.
Rovers will fly off to Tenerife for a warm weather pre season training camp and after hosting the Broncos they jet out to Las Vegas for what is classed as their home game with Leeds Rhinos. This has certainly been a rollercoaster ride for the club and their fanatical support and one that hopefully will continue.
The documentary will air in February in conjunction with both Sky Sports and Fox Sports Australia so that everyone can see what Hull Kingston Rovers achieved in 2025 as ‘Memories are better than dreams’.
