On behalf of everyone at Leeds Rhinos Foundation we would like to congratulate our Vice President Kevin Sinfield on being awarded a Knighthood in the King’s Birthday Honours.
The former Rhinos and England captain enjoyed an 18-year playing career and led the club’s golden generation to win 15 major honours, including the unprecedented Treble in 2015.
Following his retirement he has enjoyed a successful career in coaching, firstly as Performance Director for the RFL before switching codes to Rugby Union with Leicester Tigers and now as an Assistant Coach to the England men’s team.
In more recent years Sinfield has dedicated his time to supporting the MND community following the diagnosis of his friend and former team-mate Rob Burrow. His annual 7 in 7 challenges has so far raised over £11m for MND charities in the UK, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and he has become a champion of the MND community, being a valuable voice and ally for those impacted by the disease.
Sinfield was awarded an MBE in 2014 in recognition for his playing career and an OBE in 2021 for his work for MND charities. In 2024, alongside Burrow, he was awarded a CBE for their contribution to the MND community and Rugby League.
Bob Bowman, CEO of Leeds Rhinos Foundation, commented on this achievement: “I have had the upmost privilege of knowing Kevin Sinfield CBE formally for the past twenty years. Witnessing his journey from world class player and captain, to successful administrator and coach within both codes of Rugby to charity fundraiser and public influencer extraordinaire.
“I say public influencer not within the more popular context connected to social media but rather in respect of the inspirational power and movement Kevin has created within literally hundreds of thousands of people around the UK.
“Whether that be the much greater profile the nation now has of the awful Motor Neurone Disease and other life limiting conditions, or the millions of pounds he has personally raised. But also the additional unquantifiable millions raised for other worthy causes by people inspired by Kevin to run, walk, hike, row, sail, hop, with many of those people embarking on a journey of exercise for the first time in their lives.
“All this is done with with such a modest personality, never searching for the limelight and always making sure that the most important people are those who are suffering or need help.
“On behalf of everyone at Leeds Rhinos Foundation, I would like to offer Kevin our biggest congratulations on this richly deserved honour.”
Mariana Pexton, Chair of the Foundation added:
“I can think of nobody more deserving of this honour than Kev, we’re very proud that our Vice President has been recognised for his fundraising efforts that have delivered the Rob Borrow MND Centre.
“We all know that Kev’s impact goes well beyond the incredible fundraising, his leadership and compassion for Rob and the wider MND family has had a positive impact on so many people – he genuinely changes people’s lives.
“His advice to “run with a mate, for a mate” has inspired so many existing and new runners, which has enhanced both fundraising and wellbeing. We’re delighted for you and your family Kev.”
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.