There is a growing wave of public support and bewilderment as Kevin Sinfield's name was once again absent from the list of new knights in the latest New Year Honours. The rugby league legend and monumental charity fundraiser, whose efforts have captured the nation's heart, seems a shoo-in for the title. However, a specific royal protocol is the sole reason the honour has not yet been bestowed.
The Colossal Achievements of a Sporting Hero
Kevin Sinfield, 45, forged a legendary career on the pitch with Leeds Rhinos, England, and Great Britain before transitioning to rugby union, where he now serves as the skills and kicking coach for the England national team. Yet, his sporting prowess has been arguably eclipsed by his extraordinary charitable work.
Inspired by his former teammate and great friend, the late Rob Burrow, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in 2019 and died in 2024, Sinfield has undertaken superhuman physical challenges. It began in 2020 with seven marathons in seven days, raising well over £1 million.
He has continued relentlessly, with his most recent feat being the '7 in 7: Together' challenge, which involved running seven ultramarathons in as many days. To date, the Oldham-born hero has raised a staggering over £11 million for MND charities, vowing to continue the fight for the community he champions.
The Honours Pathway and the Protocol Rule
Sinfield's contributions have certainly not been overlooked by the establishment. He received an MBE in 2014 for services to rugby league, followed by an OBE in 2021 for his combined sporting and fundraising work. In a poignant moment in the 2024 New Year Honours, he was awarded a CBE for services to motor neurone disease awareness, an honour he shared with Rob Burrow, presented by Prince William.
The key to the current knighthood delay lies in official royal protocol. The rules state that an honour cannot be upgraded within a three-year period. Having received his CBE in early 2024, Sinfield must therefore wait until at least the 2027 New Year Honours list for a potential knighthood, a move widely considered to be highly likely.
Public Outcry and Calls to Override the Rules
The delay has sparked significant public frustration. A Change.org petition demanding a knighthood for Sinfield has garnered over 94,000 signatures. The petition's organiser, Mel Handforth, labelled the protocol rule as "absolutely ludicrous" in comments to The Mirror.
This sentiment is echoed in higher circles. Former MP and now Member of the House of Lords, John Mann, called for the protocol to be overridden as far back as 2023. He argued that the "public acclamation demands it" and declared there is "nobody more fitting anywhere."
As the nation awaits the seemingly inevitable title of 'Sir Kevin Sinfield', his focus remains unwavering: continuing to fight for and support the MND community, whose strength he consistently celebrates.
