Kevin Sinfield: Leeds Rhinos knighted in King’s Birthday honors as Luke Donald, Emily Scarratt, Sean Murphy made OBE | Rugby League News

Kevin Sinfield has been knighted in the King’s Birthday Honors in recognition of his brilliant rugby league career and subsequent fundraising to aid research and support families affected by Motor Neurone Disease.

The 45-year-old, who raised more than £11million after his friend and Leeds Rhinos team-mate Rob Burrow battled the disease in 2020, heads a list of sports stars recognized for their contribution to sport and charity.

Two-time Ryder Cup-winning captain Luke Donald, snooker Sean Murphy and retired England international Emily Scarratt became British players, while England U21 coach Lee Carsley and six members of the Lionesses squad that helped retain the European title last year became career masters.

Sinfield completed six endurance tests inspired by Barrow, who died in 2024 after living with MND for four and a half years.

Sinfield’s latest challenge will see him run an ultra-marathon every day for seven days, starting in Hull, KR on September 28, visiting the grounds of 11 other English rugby league clubs along the way.

The 7 v 7 Grand Final event is set to finish at Old Trafford ahead of the Super League Grand Final on Saturday 3 October.

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

“My playing career was everything I could have dreamed of as a youngster, but the last seven years have given me so much inspiration.

“The MND community is the best of us and it was an honor to support them and put their battle on the stage it needs.

“Since I first played rugby when I was seven, rugby league has given me so much. I am particularly proud to follow in the footsteps of the great Sir Billy Boston by receiving the second knighthood in rugby league in over 130 years of the sport. Sir Billy has overcome so much in his life and the game still loves him.

“As always, I continue to be inspired by the courage Rob Barrow has shown 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 help with research, but there is more to do. We must continue to fight for the 5,000 people living with MND in the UK today and the six people who will be diagnosed tomorrow and the day after.

“I would like to thank my family for their wonderful support and everyone who has supported me over the years, I am incredibly grateful.”

Lindsay Barrow, Rob’s widow, welcomed Sinfield’s latest accolade.

“On behalf of the entire Burr family I would like to congratulate Kevin on his knighthood, we are all delighted for him and I can’t think of a more deserving recipient,” she said.

“Kevin has done so much for Rob, but also for the whole MND community with raising awareness and resources to support families and help with research. I know he’s said he’s committed to supporting the MND community no matter how long it takes to find a cure, and it means so much to so many people to have a champion like Kevin in their corner.

“As Rob said, everyone should have a friend like Kevin and many people will be delighted to see him receive this recognition.”

Honored Donald, Murphy, Scarratt, Carsley, Lionesses

European Ryder Cup captain Donaldwho is trying to become the first man in Ryder Cup history to lead the team to three consecutive victories next year at Adare Manor, paid tribute to his fellow players and support team.

“I’m very grateful for this honor,” said Donald, who won four Ryder Cups as a player.

“It’s a proud moment for me, my family and all the people I’ve been lucky enough to work with throughout my career, both individually and in the Ryder Cup.”

Murphy The honour, which also recognizes his charity work, notably for Rainbow Children’s Hospice in the Midlands, comes just over a month after he lost the World Snooker Championship final in a last-frame decider against Wu Yzeh.

Scarratwho retired last year after winning her second World Cup with England, said: “It’s a huge honor and incredibly humbling. I’m proud to share this recognition with everyone who’s been a part of this journey.”

CarsleyThe England Under-21 head coach, who briefly took charge of the national team on an interim basis in 2024 following the departure of Gareth Southgate, has been made an MBE with the Lionesses Michelle Agyemang, Jess Carter, Hannah Hampton, Lauren James, Chloe Kelly and Alecia Russo.

Cliff Jonesa member of Tottenham’s double-winning team in 1961 and who played for Wales at the 1958 World Cup, was awarded an MBE for services to Welsh football.

Former head Lou Macari, who set up the Macari Foundation to tackle homelessness in Stoke-on-Trent in 2016, was also awarded an MBE for services to football and homelessness.

Former chairman of Arsenal Yours Davidwho founded the Twinning project, which links football clubs with local prisons to minimize re-offending, has been awarded an OBE for services to football and charity.

Dane said: “I am delighted that my contribution to football and the Twinning charity project has been recognized by the news that I have been awarded an OBE. Football is an important part of my life and finding a way to use it as a force for good within HMPPS has been a great honour.”

And there is another award for rugby league with the 87-year-old former Wakefield man Neil Fox made a CBE for services to sport and the community in West Yorkshire.

Nigel Wood, chairman of Rugby Football League and RL Commercial, said: “Neil’s amazing achievements, mainly with the glorious Wakefield Trinity team of the 1960s, have stood the test of time in rugby league. It’s unimaginable today that Neal played over 800 professional games.

“Nearly half a century after his illustrious career came to a close, no one has yet come close to his all-time record of 6,220 points.”