Sinfield knighted and six Lionesses made MBEs

‘Everyone should have a friend like Kevin’

Sinfield, 45, led Leeds to seven Super League titles between 2004 and 2015, and has since raised more than £11m to aid research and support families affected by Motor Neurone Disease.

The current England rugby union defence coach was inspired by his close friend and former team-mate Rob Burrow, who died in 2024 aged 41 after a five-year battle with MND.

“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,” stated Sinfield.

“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.”

Just four days ago Sinfield revealed his seventh and final annual challenge to raise money for MND charities.

“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,” he added.

Sinfield’s first challenge was in December 2020, and he and Burrow were both made CBEs in the New Year Honours list in December 2023.

Rob’s widow Lindsey stated: “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. [It] 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.”

Sinfield is the third-highest points scorer in British rugby league history, with the 87-year-old Neil Fox the clear leader.

Nigel Wood, chairman of the Rugby Football League, stated: “Neil’s astonishing feats, largely with the glorious Wakefield Trinity side of the 1960s, have stood the test of time in rugby league.”

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‘It’s an honour to be part of that list’

Golfer Luke Donald won four Ryder Cups as a player for Europe and will attempt to become the first captain to lead a team to three consecutive wins next year at Ireland’s Adare Manor.

Snooker’s Shaun Murphy narrowly missed out a second world title last month and has been recognised for his charity work, notably for the Rainbow Children’s Hospice in the Midlands.

“I couldn’t believe it, I started shaking,” he told BBC Sport. “It had actually gone to our previous address [initially] so we had 24 hours to respond and accept, so I might have missed it.

“You realise that for your family, who have been on this journey since I started snooker when I was eight, that’s as big as it gets. I don’t think I’ve ever heard my mum as happy or as proud.”

Emily Scarratt has also been made an OBE having retired last year after a second women’s Rugby World Cup win.

“It’s a huge honour and incredibly humbling to be named on the King’s Birthday Honours list,” Scarratt stated.

Former coach Gary Street, who suffered a stroke in 2024, is regarded as one of the most influential figures in turning the Red Roses into powerhouses of women’s rugby.

Under his guidance, England won the Six Nations in each of of his first six seasons in charge and ended a 20-year wait to lift their second World Cup in 2014.

His wife Helen stated: “Gary is incredibly honoured and grateful to receive an MBE. Rugby has given so much to him throughout his life, and we owe a huge debt of thanks to everyone who has been part of that journey.”

Jess Carter is one of six England footballers to become an MBE and told BBC Sport: “It’s amazing to be recognised. I’ve seen it with a lot of my Lioness team-mates, who’ve done incredible in the sport and continue to raise awareness of women’s football, and sports for everybody really, so it’s an honour to be part of that list.”

England men’s Under-21s coach Lee Carsley has also been made an MBE, along with 91-year-old Cliff Jones, who played for Wales at the 1958 World Cup and was a member of Tottenham’s double-winning side of 1961, plus flat racing’s three-time champion jockey Ryan Moore.

Broadcasters Ian Robertson and Garry Richardson have also been recognised with each having spent more than 45 years with the BBC.

Lou Macari played for Celtic and Manchester United, and had two spells as Stoke manager before setting up a foundation to help combat homelessness in the city.

“It’s a great honour,” the 77-year-old told BBC Sport. “It started 10 years ago and never did I think 10 years later I’d still be doing it, but such is the need for homeless people to get looked after, I’m still there and we’ll still be there for a number of years probably from now on.

“I get more people talking to me now about the homeless situation in this country than about the football, and I don’t mind that. I’m delighted that there’s still people who are interested.”

After 24 years as Arsenal’s vice-chairman, David Dein founded The Twinning Project in 2018, to forge bonds between football clubs and local prisons with the aim of minimising re-offending.

“Football is a major part of my life and finding a way to employ it as a force for good within HMPPS (His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service) has been a matter of huge pride,” Dein stated.

King’s Birthday Honours list for sports

Knighthood

Kevin Sinfield (coach, former international and fundraiser), for services to rugby league, rugby union and the MND community

Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

Neil Fox MBE (former rugby league international), for services to rugby league and the community in West Yorkshire

Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Mel Bound (founder, This Woman Runs), for services to women’s community sport

David Dein (former Arsenal chairman and founder, The Twinning Project), for services to football and charity

Luke Donald (golfer), for services to golf

Dr Clare Halsted (administrator, volunteer and former athlete), for services to fencing

Shaun Murphy (snooker player), for services to snooker and charity

Ian Robertson (broadcaster and former Scotland international), for services to rugby union and broadcasting

Emily Scarratt (former England international), for services to rugby union

Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Michelle Agyemang (England international), for services to football

Brenda Bland (former Great Britain team manager), for services to swimming

Lee Carsley (coach, England men’s Under-21s), for services to football

Jess Carter (England international), for services to football

Jane Figueiredo (coach, Aquatics GB), for services to diving

Hannah Hampton (England international), for services to football

Jane Harvey (official), for services to tennis

Lauren James (England international), for services to football

Cliff Jones (former Wales international), for services to Welsh football

Chloe Kelly (England international), for services to football

Lou Macari (founder, Macari Foundation, and former Scotland international), for services to football and homeless people in Stoke-on-Trent

Ryan Moore (jockey), for services to horse racing and British sport

Richard Morris (head, GB Para Badminton), for services to sport and disabled people

Garry Richardson (broadcaster), for services to sport broadcasting

Alessia Russo (England international), for services to football

Gary Street (former England women’s head coach), for services to rugby union

Brian Walsh (coach), for services to cricket

Sinfield knighted and six Lionesses made MBEs

‘Everyone should have a friend like Kevin’

‘It’s an honour to be part of that list’

King’s Birthday Honours list for sports

Related topics

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‘Everyone should have a friend like Kevin’

‘It’s an honour to be part of that list’

King’s Birthday Honours list for sports

Related topics

Related Posts

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