It is with great sadness that we have to notify members of the death of Martin, a man who has been a huge influence in the history, structure and development of our rugby club.

Michael 'Mazo' Maslinski has written a tribute that gives a brief insight into some of that influence.

The death of Martin Roat, two years after being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, is a massive loss to Hertford Rugby Club, to his many friends and to all those who have benefitted from the leadership, support and guidance he has given to the club. Obviously our condolences go firstly to his widow Melanie, his daughter Olivia, son-in law Archie, and his grandsons Jake and Hal.

In the words of another former chairman, ‘there can be few people, if any, who have done more to shape our wonderful club over the last 50 years than Martin. As a player he was a member of one of our more successful 1st teams and later he became a truly transformational chairman. He accepted the chairmanship at a difficult time and he completely restructured the complex relationship between the rugby club and the Old Hertfordians Association. He knew that getting the structure right was a prerequisite to success on the field and he pushed through major changes, sometimes in the face of fierce resistance.

Even after his chairmanship, he continued to be available to his successors for advice and guidance. He was closely involved with a number of building projects to expand the club, as well as being the driving force behind acquisition of the land 15 years ago which enabled us to widen our very narrow access drive, to double our parking space and provide room for additional pitches in the future. On numerous occasions he also supported us financially to a substantial extent.

Martin was an old boy of the Hertford Grammar School, now Richard Hale, and remained extremely loyal and close to many of his old school mates as well as to the rugby club (which was still known as The Old Hertfordians when he first joined).

He was thoughtful, decisive and courageous, but was also extremely kind and respectful of other people’s opinions, which is why he was able to carry others with him in the sometimes controversial changes he introduced. Quick thinking, persuasive and always humorous, he was entertaining company and had an exceptional ability to get people with diverse opinions and abilities to work together.

These qualities also helped make him highly successful in his property business – he was a true entrepreneur. His success enabled him to expand his leisure activities and his thirst for adventure took him into the rarified world of large sailing yachts (he sailed the Atlantic three times), heli skiing in the Himalayas, and competitive polo. Far from separating him from his rugby friends, he helped many of them to share in his new adventures and managed to do so without ever allowing them to feel patronised or uncomfortable. Many rugby club members have accompanied him on sailing and skiing trips and have been his guests at the polo (including most of the current first team).

Martin founded a thriving polo club near Little Hadham which is recognised as one of the most successful clubs in the country and has enabled many young people to play polo to a very high level, who would never have considered the sport but for him. Until MND struck, he was still playing regular polo himself at the age of 79 with his own team ‘Silver Leys’.

There are few people who have made such a positive impact on the lives of so many others as Martin did. So when we say to his family that we share in their loss, we really mean it.

RIP my very dear friend.

Mazo
Michael Maslinski