Born in Oldham and known affectionately as ‘Sir Kev’, Kevin Sinfield retired in 2016 as an idol of the Leeds Rhinos’ golden generation and as a former England captain. Sinfield won 7 Super League titles, 3 World Cup Challenges and 2 Challenge Cups in 521 matches for his club. From 2003, he captained a side that exemplified the best of his sport. Sinfield became the first rugby league players to be nominated for BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award in 2015. One of the few individuals who has successfully crossed rugby codes, Sinfield won the Premiership as defence coach for Leicester Tigers and, from December 2022, worked alongside Steve Borthwick as an assistant coach for England.

But Sinfield’s career on the pitch is only part of the story. Alongside Sinfield during his Leeds Rhinos years was a small but indomitable scrum-half, Rob Burrow. As Rob’s health tragically declined due to motor neurone disease (MND), Sinfield set himself a series of extraordinary endurance challenges, including his December 2023 challenge of running 7 ultra marathons in 7 days in 7 different cities, that have raised awareness and over £15 million for the cause of MND.

Sinfield’s commitment to his mate Rob, and his compassionate fight for sufferers of the disease, has become his greatest legacy. In the process, Sinfield has won the hearts of a nation. Sinfield and Rob Burrow were awarded their CBEs together, in January 2024, at Headingley stadium by Prince William.