Kevin Sinfield Knighted and Six Lionesses Awarded MBEs
Kevin Sinfield has been honoured with a knighthood in the King's Birthday Honours, while six members of England's Euro 2025-winning football squad have been appointed Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBEs).
Sinfield, the former Leeds Rhinos and England rugby league captain, is only the second rugby league figure to receive a knighthood, following Billy Boston. Additionally, rugby league legend Neil Fox has been promoted from MBE to Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). Other notable honours include OBEs for two-time Ryder Cup-winning captain Luke Donald, former snooker world champion Shaun Murphy, and former England rugby union captain Emily Scarratt.
The latest Lionesses to be appointed MBEs are Michelle Agyemang, Jess Carter, Hannah Hampton, Lauren James, Chloe Kelly, and Alessia Russo, joining five teammates who were recognised in the New Year Honours list.
Former Scotland international Lou Macari has also been awarded an MBE for his services to football and support for homeless people in Stoke-on-Trent. Gary Street, who coached the England women's rugby union team to World Cup victory in 2014, has likewise been honoured with an MBE.
Meanwhile, ex-Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein has been appointed an OBE for his contributions to football and charity.
Kevin Sinfield's Knighthood and MND Fundraising
Sinfield, aged 45, captained Leeds Rhinos to seven Super League titles between 2004 and 2015. Since retiring, he has raised over £11 million to support research and families affected by Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
He was inspired by his close friend and former teammate Rob Burrow, who passed away in 2024 at age 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," said 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."
Sinfield recently announced his seventh and final annual challenge to raise funds for MND charities, scheduled for September.
"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 initial challenge took place in December 2020. Both Sinfield and Burrow were awarded CBEs in the New Year Honours list in December 2023.
Rob's widow Lindsey said: "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 87-year-old Neil Fox holding the record.
Nigel Wood, chairman of the Rugby Football League, commented: "Neil's astonishing feats, largely with the glorious Wakefield Trinity side of the 1960s, have stood the test of time in rugby league."
Honours for Footballers and Sports Figures
Lauren James, Jess Carter, and Michelle Agyemang, key contributors to England's Euro 2025 victory, were among those honoured.
Golfer Luke Donald, who won four Ryder Cups as a player for Europe, aims to become the first captain to lead a team to three consecutive wins at next year's event at Ireland's Adare Manor.
Snooker player Shaun Murphy, who narrowly missed a second world title recently, received recognition for his charity work, particularly with the Rainbow Children's Hospice in the Midlands.
"I couldn't believe it, I started shaking," Murphy told . "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, who retired last year after winning her second women's Rugby World Cup, was appointed an OBE.
"It's a huge honour and incredibly humbling to be named on the King's Birthday Honours list," Scarratt said.
Gary Street, former England women's rugby head coach who suffered a stroke in 2024, is recognised as a pivotal figure in establishing the Red Roses as a dominant force in women's rugby. Under his leadership, England won the Six Nations in each of his first six seasons and secured their second World Cup title in 2014.
His wife Helen said: "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, one of six England footballers to receive MBEs, expressed her pride.
"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."
Other recipients include England men's Under-21s coach Lee Carsley, 91-year-old Cliff Jones who played for Wales at the 1958 World Cup and was part of Tottenham's 1961 double-winning team, and flat racing's three-time champion jockey Ryan Moore.
Broadcasters Ian Robertson and Garry Richardson were also honoured for their extensive careers with the BBC, each spanning over 45 years.
Charitable Contributions by Lou Macari and David Dein
Lou Macari, former Celtic and Manchester United player and two-time Stoke manager, was recognised for his charitable work through the Macari Foundation, which supports homeless people in Stoke-on-Trent.
"It's a great honour," the 77-year-old said. "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."
David Dein, after 24 years as Arsenal's vice-chairman, founded The Twinning Project in 2018. The initiative builds connections between football clubs and local prisons to reduce reoffending.
"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 said.
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
