Kevin Sinfield and Rob Burrow’s extraordinary charity work has earned them a place 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-laden rugby league careers, received CBEs for their services to motor neurone disease awareness.
Millie Bright, Mary Earps and Lauren Hemp were also honored for their contributions in helping the lionesses reach the World Cup final in the summer.
Bright, who captained the team in the absence of defender Leah Williamson, received an OBE, while goalkeeper Earps and striker Hemp received MBEs. England won the European Championship in 2022, losing 1-0 to Spain in the final in Sydney.
Sinfield has raised more than £15 million since his friend Burrow was diagnosed with MND, an incurable and life-limiting disease, in December 2019.
Earlier this month, Sinfield, 43, completed the ‘7 on 7 on 7’ challenge, completing seven ultramarathons in seven cities in a matter of days.
Sinfield said: “I think it’s really special to have Rob recognized again. The bravery and bravery that Rob and his amazing family showed as they battled MND is amazing; it was incredible to open the front door and show the world what it’s like to live with it.”
Burrow said: “I’m particularly pleased that my good friend Kevin Sinfield has also received a CBE. I hope Kevin and I can go to the palace together in the new year and enjoy another special day together again.”
Rob Wainwright, another MND fundraiser from the world of sport, will also receive an OBE. Wainwright is the founder of the Doddie Aid event, which raises funds for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.
Wainwright’s former Scotland rugby union teammate Doddie Weir was diagnosed with MND in 2016 and died in November last year.
Wainwright said: “This is a huge honour, and I accept it on behalf of the entire Doddie Aid community.
“Doddie was a force of nature and I was so proud to call him my friend. “Like everyone he knew and inspired, I was encouraged to do what I could to end MND.”
Peter Shilton, who holds the England men’s national team record with 125 caps between 1970 and 1990, received a CBE for his services to football and gambling harm prevention.
World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont was knighted to the Knight Grand Cross, while former England cricketer Stuart Broad also received a CBE.
Broad, 37, announced his retirement from the sport during the final Ashes Test in the summer and made a dazzling bow by hitting a six off the final ball and taking the match-winning wicket as England leveled the series at the Oval.
He said: “All I ever wanted to do was play cricket and to have a career that I enjoy and receive awards like this is incredibly 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 advisor to the Premier League, receives a CBE. Two senior figures at anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out, its chairman Sanjay Bhandari and its head of development Troy Townsend, have been named MBEs.
Former Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling, one of sport’s best-loved broadcasters, also received an MBE for services to sport, broadcasting and charity. BBC sports presenter Hazel Irvine will also receive the same honour.
In a statement, Irvine said: “I am thrilled and honored to have been awarded the MBE. I have been very lucky to have worked in sports broadcasting for the last 36 years.
“It never gets old to witness the inspiring and powerful stories that sport always creates, and I am in awe of the dedication, talent and belief it takes for elite athletes to reach the top.
“It’s been a wonderful privilege to be able to help tell their stories, but doing so takes a huge team effort in televised sport. “So I think this award reflects the work of many of my colleagues and broadcast staff who I had the chance to sit at ringside for.”
Howard Wilkinson, who led Leeds to the First Division title in 1992 and briefly managed England on an interim basis in 1999, was made an OBE, as was Arsenal chief executive Vinai Venkatesham.
Brighton chairman Tony Bloom received an MBE for services to charity and former Scotland manager Alex McLeish received an OBE.
Red Bull Racing’s team principal and managing director Christian Horner received a CBE in a year that saw his team win the Formula 1 constructors’ championship and Max Verstappen the drivers’ championship.
Former McLaren team boss Ron Dennis has been knighted for his services to charity.
Goalkeeper Maddie Hinch, who won Olympic hockey gold in 2016, became an OBE, while race walker Tom Bosworth became an MBE.
There were also MBEs for gymnasts Becky and Ellie Downie, Helen Housby, who was part of the England team that won netball gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, and former BDO world darts champion Keith Deller.