England head coach receives honorary award

Stuart, a former undergraduate student at Leeds Met, was awarded an honorary Doctorate in Sport for his significant contribution to the field of sport and coaching.

Speaking about receiving the award Stuart said: "It's a huge honour to receive the honorary doctorate from Leeds Metropolitan University today. Twenty years ago I was sat where the graduating students are sitting and I have based my career on three principles. Relationships, credibility and investing in yourself are key to your success. There is no ABC of importance, do what you say you are going to do and don't wait for someone to give you the opportunities, go and find it."

The graduation celebrations are taking place at the University's Headingley Campus from Monday 23 to Friday 27 July, where over 5,000 students will graduate over five days, alongside ten honorary degree recipients.

Others receiving honorary degrees from Leeds Metropolitan include Harry Potter star Matthew Lewis, Red or Dead designer Wayne Hemmingway, Olympic torch designer Edward Barber, Huddersfield Town chairman Dean Hoyle and Mumtaz Kahn Akbar,the founder and owner of the Mumtaz Food Group.

Appointed by the Rugby Football Union as permanent England head coach in March, Stuart Lancaster has made a significant contribution to rugby union, both as a player and more recently as a coach.

Stuart was born in Cumbria and started playing rugby at St Bees School before moving to Leeds Metropolitan University to study BA (Hons) Human Movement. On completing his degree and PGCE in Physical Education, Stuart began teaching alongside playing for the then-newly-formed Leeds RUFC, following the merger of the Roundhay and Headingley clubs. Stuart continued to progress at the club and became the Elite Rugby Director at Leeds Carnegie in 2006 overseeing their return to the top flight in 2007.

In December 2011 it was announced that Stuart would head up England's coaching team on an interim basis for the 2012 Six Nations alongside coaches Graham Rowntree and Andy Farrell, following the departure of Martin Johnson.

Stuart guided England to finish in second place in the tournament with four wins from five matches, including notable victories over Scotland at Murrayfield, France in Paris and Ireland at Twickenham. Following the tournament Stuart was named as permanent England head coach on a contract until January 2016.