Kevin Sinfield is honoured to receive Knighthood

Former Rugby League player and MND fundraiser Kevin Sinfield has spoken about his gratitude after being awarded a Knighthood in the King’s Birthday Honours.

In a glittering career, Sinfield captained his only club, Leeds Rhinos to an incredible 15 major honours in an 18-year career. He represented Great Britain and captained England before retiring from playing in 2015, having helped the Rhinos to an unprecedented Treble. 

He has forged a successful career in coaching, firstly as Performance Director for the RFL, heading the programme that led to England reaching the 2017 World Cup Final and then switching codes to Rugby Union with Leicester Tigers and now as an Assistant Coach to the England men’s team.

Commenting on the announcement, Sinfield said: “I am deeply honoured and grateful to receive this award on behalf of the Rugby and MND communities.

“Since I first played rugby when I was 7, Rugby League has given me so much. I am particularly proud to follow in the footsteps of the great Sir Billy Boston with Rugby League’s second ever knighthood in over 130 years of the sport. Sir Billy overcame so much in his life and is still loved by the game.

“I was privileged to play with some great players for my club and country and made friendships for life. That is the special thing about rugby, of either code; the team-mates you make on the pitch are by your side off the field long after you hang up your boots. That is something I always say to young boys and girls when they ask about playing rugby and the bonds you make, through the good and the tough times.

“My playing career was everything I could ever have dreamed of as a young man but the last seven years have given me so much inspiration. The MND community are the very best of us and it has been my privilege to support them and put their battle on the stage it needs. As always, I continue to be inspired by the courage that Rob Burrow showed in his battle with the disease and he is never far from my thoughts.

“We have raised so much awareness and funds to support families and aid research but more needs to be done. We have to continue the fight for the 5,000 people who are living with MND in the UK today and the six people who will be diagnosed tomorrow and the next day. I am pleased that this honour allows me to continue to raise awareness and I am looking forward to joining up with the 7 in 7 team again in September for our seventh and final annual challenge.  

“I would like to thank my family for their wonderful support and all those who have given me their support over the years, I am incredibly grateful.”

Sinfield was awarded an MBE in 2014 in recognition of his outstanding playing career and subsequently an OBE in 2021 for his work in raising awareness and funds for those impacted by MND. In 2024, Sinfield and his friend and former team-mate Rob Burrow were awarded a CBE for their contribution to the MND community and Rugby League. The Prince of Wales, HRH Prince William, visited AMT Headingley Rugby Stadium to conduct the investiture in January 2024.

The annual 7 in 7 Challenges began in 2020 and has so far raised over £11m for MND charities in the UK, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The seventh and final challenge will start on Sunday 27th September in Hull, running an ultra marathon every day for seven days and finishing ahead of kick off of the Betfred Super League Grand Final in front of 70,000 fans at Old Trafford. Sinfield and the team will visit all 12 English Super League grounds on their journey.

Rob Burrow’s wife Lindsey Burrow welcomed the news of Sinfield’s recognition, she commented, “On behalf of the whole Burrow family, I would like to congratulate Kevin on his knighthood, we are all delighted for him and I can not think of a more deserving recipient. Kevin did so much for Rob but also the whole MND community with raising awareness and funds to support families and aid research.

"I know he has said he is dedicated to supporting the MND community for however long it takes to find a cure and  that means so much to so many people to have a champion like Kevin in their corner. As Rob used to say, everyone should have a friend like Kevin and so many people will be pleased to see him get this recognition.”

Leeds Rhinos Chief Executive Jamie Jones-Buchanan MBE added, “On behalf of everyone associated with Leeds Rhinos, I would like to send my whole hearted congratulations to Kevin on this thoroughly deserved award. I was fortunate to stand alongside Kevin for so many years in the heat of battle but also the quiet of a dressing room, in good times and tough moments. He was the cultural architect of a special generation of players in our game’s history, he embodies everything that is great about Rugby League; his humbleness, his determination, his authenticity.

"For him to become only our second every Knight in over 130 years, following in the footsteps of the legendary Sir Billy Boston only recently, says a great deal about how he has changed the landscape for our sport. He was a wonderful team mate, an inspiring captain but most importantly he remains a great friend and I am so proud today for him that he has been recognised by the nation in this way.”