by Kevin Sinfield and Rob Burrow’s extraordinary charity work has been recognized in the New Year’s Honors List alongside three of England’s Women’s World Cup football stars.
Sinfield and Burrow, who were Leeds Rhinos teammates during their trophy-winning rugby league careers, have been awarded CBEs for services to motor neurone disease awareness.
Millie Bright, Mary Earps and Lauren Hemp were also honored for their part in helping the Lionesses reach the World Cup final in the summer.
Bright, who captained the team in the absence of fellow defender Leah Williamson, receives an OBE while goalkeeper Earps and forward Hemp are awarded MBEs. England advanced, losing 1-0 to Spain in the final in Sydney after winning the European Championship in 2022.
Sinfield has raised over £15 million since his friend Burrow was diagnosed with MND, an incurable and life-limiting condition, in December 2019.
Earlier this month Sinfield, 43, completed the ‘7 in 7 in 7’ challenge by completing seven ultramarathons in seven cities in as many days.
Sinfield said: “I think it’s really special that Rob has been recognized again. The bravery and courage shown by Rob and his wonderful family in his battle with MND is amazing; to open the front door and show the world what it’s like to live, it was incredible.”
Burrow said: “I am particularly pleased that my good friend Kevin Sinfield is also receiving a CBE. I hope that Kevin and I will be able to go to the Palace together in the new year to enjoy another special occasion together again.”
Another MND fundraiser from the world of sport will receive Rob Wainwright, OBE. Wainwright is the founder of the Doddie Aid event which raises money for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.
Wainwright’s former Scotland rugby teammate Doddie Weir was diagnosed with MND in 2016 and died in November last year.
Wainwright said: “This is a fantastic honour, and I accept it on behalf of the entire Doddie Aid community.
“Doddi was a force of nature, and I was very proud to call him a friend. Like everyone he knew, he inspired me, I was inspired to do what I can to end MND.”
Peter Shilton, England men’s record holder with 125 appearances between 1970 and 1990, receives a CBE for services to football and the prevention of harmful gambling.
World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont’s knighthood has been upgraded to a Grand Cross, and former England cricketer Stuart Broad receives a CBE.
Broad, 37, announced his retirement from the sport during the final Ashes Test of the summer and bowed out in spectacular fashion by hitting a six off his last ball and taking the match-winning wicket and England leveling the series at the Oval.
He said: “All I ever wanted to do was play cricket, and the career I’ve been able to enjoy and receive honors like this is really special.”
Marcus Trescothick, who played 76 Tests for England, will receive an OBE for services to mental health. He works as a mental health ambassador for the Professional Cricketers Association (PCA).
Elsewhere in football, Bill Bush, a senior Premier League adviser, receives a CBE. Two senior staff at the anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out, its chairman Sanjay Bhandari and its head of development Troy Townsend, have been awarded MBEs.
One of sport’s much-loved broadcasters, former Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling, was also awarded an MBE for services to sport, broadcasting and charity. BBC sports presenter Hazel Irvine will receive the same honour.
Irvine said in a statement: “I am delighted and honored to be awarded the MBE. I am very fortunate to have worked in broadcast sport for the past 36 years.
“It never gets old to witness the inspiring and powerful stories that sport always creates, and I’m always in awe of the dedication, talent and faith it takes for elite sportsmen to reach the top.
“It was a great privilege to be able to help tell their stories, but it takes a great team effort in televised sport to do it. Therefore, I feel that this award reflects the work of the many colleagues and broadcast staff with whom I have been fortunate to share a ringside seat.”
Howard Wilkinson, who managed Leeds to the First Division title in 1992 and briefly managed England as caretaker in 1999, has been made an OBE, as has Arsenal chief executive Vinai Venkatesham.
Brighton chairman Tony Bloom MBE and former Scotland manager Alex McLeish OBE for services to charity.
Christian Horner, team principal and chief executive of Red Bull Racing, receives a CBE in a year in which his team won the Formula One constructors’ championship and Max Verstappen won the drivers’ title.
Former McLaren team principal Ron Dennis was knighted for services to charity.
Goalkeeper Maddie Hinch, who won an Olympic hockey gold medal in 2016, is an OBE and race walker Tom Bosworth is an MBE.
There were also MBEs for gymnasts Becky and Ellie Downie, Helen Housby, who was part of England’s gold medal-winning team at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, and former BDO world darts champion Keith Deller.
