Kevin Sinfield is set to miss out on a knighthood again in the New Year Honours despite a campaign for him to receive the recognition for his fundraising efforts for motor neurone disease.
Although there was pressure from some figures involved in choosing honours recipients for Sinfield to be knighted, the protocol which means honours cannot be upgraded within three years has been enforced, sources have told The Times.
The 45-year-old was appointed CBE two years ago, along with his friend and former Leeds Rhinos team-mate Rob Burrow, who died of MND aged 41 in June 2024.
Sinfield carries his former team-mate Burrow over the finish line after one of his fundraising epics in 2023
DANNY LAWSON/PA
Sports stars who could receive honours this time are likely to include some of the England women’s football team who won Euro 2025 and members of the Red Roses side who triumphed at the Women’s Rugby World Cup. Hannah Hampton and Chloe Kelly are among the contenders from the Lionesses — captain Leah Williamson was made an OBE after their previous Euros triumph three years before — and Ellie Kildunne and captain Zoe Aldcroft from the rugby team.
Rory McIlroy, who was appointed MBE in 2011, may also be in line for an upgrade after winning the Masters in April to complete the grand slam of major golf tournaments.
Sinfield, the England rugby union assistant coach, completed his latest fundraising challenge earlier this month, running seven ultra-marathons in seven days. That achievement prompted fresh calls for an exemption to the protocol on honours.
The former England and Great Britain rugby league international even received personal and public congratulations from Prince William after his feat, who posted on social media: “Your commitment to Rob and everyone affected by MND is truly inspiring.
“Thank you for shining a light on the need for research and support, and for the hope and example you bring. Look after those knees!” he wrote.
Kildunne is in line for an honour after helping England win the World Cup
ALAMY
Sinfield has previously been awarded an MBE (2014) and OBE (2021), as well as CBE, but will have to wait until the honours list in a year’s time for the knighthood which Burrow’s father, Geoff, has previously told The Times is long overdue.
Rugby league only received its first knighthood last June, when Sir Billy Boston, 91, was honoured. Rugby union’s first knighthood was bestowed more than 100 years ago.
Ministers said in June that the knighthood for Boston, one of the pioneering black players in British sport, would “right an historic wrong”.
McIlroy, appointed MBE in 2011, is set for an upgrade after his Masters triumph
RICHARD HEATHCOTE/GETTY IMAGES
Sinfield set off from Bury St Edmunds on his latest fundraising challenge, finishing at Headingley Stadium in Leeds seven days later. He had initially set a fundraising target at £777,777 in honour of the No7 Burrow wore, but surpassed that by reaching £1.2million, taking his total raised for MND charities to £11million.
The money raised this year will go towards six MND charities: Motor Neurone Disease Association, Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association, My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, MND Scotland, Leeds Hospitals Charity and The Darby Rimmer MND Foundation.