Rugby recognised in New Year’s Honours
Tony Rowe, Dr Ross Hemingway Floyd Steadman and Ian Metcalfe included in the New Year’s Honours list.
Exeter Rugby chairman and chief executive, Tony Rowe, has been awarded a CBE in the New Year’s Honours List for services to rugby and to the community.
He is joined on the honour’s list by Dr Ross Hemingway, Floyd Steadman and Ian Metcalfe who have all been awarded an OBE.
“Obviously, I’m delighted and honoured to receive the CBE, but a good part of this is down to the team I have around me on a daily basis,” Mr Rowe told the Exeter Chiefs website, who has helped take Exeter Rugby Club from the National Leagues to that of European and English champions.
“I’m very fortunate that here at the rugby club we have a fantastic team on the field, but an equally good one off the field that has brought us great success over many years.”
Ex-Saracens captain and scrum half Steadman has been appointed an OBE for services to rugby union, education and charity. Speaking to Sky Sports, he said that being included in the list is a “complete honour".
He is a member of the Saracens Hall of Fame, and a Vice President at the club for more than 20 years. In the amateur era Steadman played for Saracens 469 times over 10 years from 1980.
After excelling in rugby union, Steadman also became a trailblazer for ethnic minorities within the sport.
Dr Hemingway, from Exeter, previously worked as a pathway doctor for England Rugby, and has been appointed an OBE for services to the Royal Marines for his work at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines.
Metcalfe, who was recently chair of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, has been honoured for services to sport.
He served the RFU for a number of years as Board Director and as chair of the Professional Game Board. Metcalfe also represented England in the 1980s, playing in three games during England's 1985 tour of New Zealand. He also played four times for the Barbarians.
