The New Year's Honours list includes Tynedale stalwart Peter Robertson who is the recipient of the British Empire Medal for services to rugby in Scotland and the North East of England. A former Scotland B international as a player, Peter was forced to retire due to an injury in 1970.
After Peter retired from playing, and took up refereeing, he was appointed head coach at Tynedale. In the 1970’s he was able to improve the playing abilities of many young players and helped raise the standards of Tynedale’ fifteen-a-side game. He also had an impact on the standard of sevens play, as he himself had excelled in many of the dominant Hawick seven-a sides of that time. He was especially interested in the Colts section, and many youngsters who were coached by Peter over the years moved into senior rugby with fond memories of the influence “the boss” had had on their rugby careers.

Apart from coaching Peter has always been involved in the administrative, refereeing and disciplinary aspects of club life at Tynedale. His efforts were recognised by members who elected him to the position of Club President in 1990. He served his two-year term with his usual dedication and reliability, and after that continued to serve on the club’s Management Committee until 2015.

Peter was also a widely respected referee, and in 1989, became an elite refereeing assessor for the Scottish Rugby Union.
A hugely deserved honour, Peter is a true unsung servant to Scottish Rugby, at Tynedale RFC and throughout the general rugby community.

Congratulations Peter.