Sinfield leads rugby figures recognised in New Year Honours
England Men's defence coach Kevin Sinfield has been awarded CBE in the New Year's Honours.
Former England captain and current World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont, 71, is awarded the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire for services to rugby on the international stage. After being awarded a knighthood in 2018, the Knight Grand Cross is the highest rank in the Most Excellent Order of The British Empire.
“Rugby has been my life for more than half a century and has given me so much joy as a player, a father and grandfather to rugby-playing sons and a granddaughter, and as an administrator," said Beaumont. "I am very fortunate to be in a position to give back to the sport I love, and I am as passionate now about rugby now as I was when representing Fylde, Lancashire, England or the British and Irish Lions."
Sinfield, 43, is awarded a CBE along with close friend and former Great Britain and Leeds Rhinos team mate Rob Burrow, 41, for their campaigning efforts in raising awareness and funds for finding a cure for Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
Sinfield was awarded an MBE in 2014 in recognition for his outstanding playing career in rugby league and subsequently an OBE in 2021 for his work in raising awareness and funds for those impacted by MND. Sinfield’s friend Burrow was diagnosed with MND in December 2019 and since then has used his own battle with the disease to give a voice to all those living with MND. Burrow was awarded an MBE in 2021 in recognition for his work for the MND community.
The friends will now both receive the CBE and hope to be able to do it together after plans for them to receive their 2021 at the same time were scuppered when Burrow was taken ill.
Commenting on the award, Sinfield, whose latest challenge in December once again raised over £1 million, said, “When you think what we have done over the last few years, it is not about getting honours, it is about the MND community. I feel like I’m the one getting singled out but it’s been a real team effort from everybody. I can’t do it on my own, I need everybody to do their bit and it’s been an incredible journey.”
"It was the middle of November, got a letter through the post so massively humbled, just yeah really nice isn’t it. When you think what we’ve done over the last few years it’s not about getting honours it’s about the MND community and to do it with that Number 7 on our backs has been incredible and I feel like I’m the one getting singled out but it’s been a real team effort from everybody. I can’t do it on my own I need everybody to do their bit and it’s been a bit of a journey.
"I think it’s really special but I’m going to focus my attention on Rob and the Burrow family because the bit that we’ve done in this is a bit of running he’s been so brave and courageous fighting MND to open the front door and to show the world what it’s like to live with it, he’s been incredible. I think the whole family have shown us all what a great family look like and they’ve been so inspirational."
