Floyd Steadman Speaker | Sports & New Speakers & Well-being & Anti-Bullying

Floyd Steadman

Everybody faces some degree of adversity at some stage in their lives, but very few have faced as many challenges as Floyd Steadman.

Rejected by his father, he coped with a childhood in care. Told he should train to ‘work with his hands’, he insisted on taking A levels so he could become a teacher. As one of the few black players in English club rugby, he was named Saracens captain at the age of 23 and played a leading role in the club’s progress during the 1980s.

After retiring from rugby, he emerged as a talented and inspiring teacher and headmaster, having a positive impact on many, many young lives. Over and over again, Floyd Steadman has prevailed against immense odds, prevailing not with anger, argument or hysterics, but with persistence, dignity and integrity.

Racial tensions arise in sport, as much as anywhere else. Floyd Steadman draws on his own extraordinary experiences, in rugby and education, and addresses the issues of conscious and unconscious bias in a non-confrontational way. A former headmaster with excellent presenting skills, he explains how only education will resolve the problem, and ensure fair and equal opportunities for all, in sport and in life.

Floyd's best-selling autobiography, 'A Week One Summer', was released in October 2021 and shot to No.1 on the Amazon rugby books list. His story relates how he prevailed against huge odds, not with anger and hysterics, but with persistence and integrity.

Testimonials from Teachers

I extend a massive thank you to Floyd for coming to speak to our staff. I have received nothing but positive comments about his presentation, with many staff saying that he was the best presenter that they had ever heard…high praise indeed. We hope to get Floyd back to Reed’s someday soon so he can talk to our pupils as well…

– Alex Balls, Deputy Head, Reeds School

Many experienced colleagues have since told me it’s the best INSET session that they’ve been in. On a personal level, I would agree. We are hoping for a return trip to speak to the Blue Coat pupils.

– Kevin Magill, Deputy Head, Reading Blue Coat School

I, too, thought Floyd’s presentation was powerful as he has inhabited many of the issues that confront young people today. Over the years I have witnessed quite a number of talks on this subject and he definitely came out on top from my perspective. I do hope the College can persuade him to return at the start to next academic year to speak to the senior school.

– Jay Piggot, Headmaster, Epsom College

I thought Floyd was absolutely brilliant and the number of staff who went to speak to him afterwards was indicative of how his words resonated.

– Leon Roberts, Deputy Head, Belmont Primary School

"Floyd's talk was wonderful- powerful, clear and candid."

– Mike Grenier, Deputy Head Pastoral, Eton College