The King's Birthday Honours list has been unveiled, featuring 35 sporting figures recognised for their contributions. Rugby league legend Kevin Sinfield has been knighted, as first reported by the Mirror, for his heroic fundraising efforts in memory of former teammate Rob Burrow.
Kevin Sinfield's Journey to Knighthood
Sinfield, 45, previously received an MBE in 2014, an OBE in 2021, and a CBE in 2024. He has raised over £11 million for motor neurone disease (MND) charities since Burrow's diagnosis in 2019. The pair famously completed the Leeds Marathon together in 2023. Burrow passed away in June 2024, but Sinfield continues to undertake endurance challenges.
Other Notable Honours
Snooker world champion Shaun Murphy and Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald both received OBEs. England's Lionesses Michelle Agyemang, Jess Carter, Hannah Hampton, Lauren James, Chloe Kelly, and Alessia Russo were awarded MBEs after defending the Euros last summer.
Full List of Sports Stars Honoured
Knight Bachelor
- Kevin Sinfield, CBE, England rugby union team coach, former rugby league player and fundraiser, for services to rugby league, rugby union and the MND community.
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
- Neil Fox, MBE, former rugby league player and coach, for services to rugby league and community in West Yorkshire.
- Eva Rausing, founder of Alborada Trust, for services to charity, animal welfare, horse racing and bloodstock.
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
- David Dein, MBE, Twinning Project founder and former Arsenal vice-chairman, for services to football and charity.
- Luke Donald, MBE, golfer and Europe Ryder Cup captain, for services to golf.
- Clare Halsted, former athlete, administrator and volunteer, for services to fencing.
- Shaun Murphy, snooker player, for services to snooker and charity.
- Ian Robertson, broadcaster, for services to rugby union and broadcasting.
- Emily Scarratt, MBE, former England rugby union player, for services to rugby union.
- Mark Stuart, pharmacist expert, for services to pharmacy in sport and anti-doping.
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
- Michelle Agyemang, England and Arsenal footballer, for services to football.
- Ian Bamford, former Irish Amateur Open winner and Royal Portrush captain, for services to amateur golf.
- Brenda Bland, former Great Britain swimming team manager, for services to swimming.
- Professor Chris Brookes, Wigan Warriors chair and former RFL chief medical officer, for services to rugby league.
- Lee Carsley, England men's Under-21s coach, for services to football.
- Jess Carter, England and Gotham FC footballer, for services to football.
- Krysten Coombs, athlete and trustee of Dwarf Sports Association UK, for services to badminton and the Dwarf Sports Association.
- Alan Crooks, Irish Football Association disability manager, for services to disability football.
- Jane Figueiredo, diving coach, for services to diving.
- Hannah Hampton, England and Chelsea footballer, for services to football.
- Jane Harvey, former professional tennis umpire, for services to tennis.
- Lauren James, England and Chelsea footballer, for services to football.
- Cliff Jones, former Wales and Tottenham footballer, for services to Welsh football.
- Karen Jones, Netball South West chair and England Netball honorary life member, for services to netball.
- Chloe Kelly, England and Arsenal footballer, for services to football.
- Ian Lovett, former England and Wales Cricket Board president, for services to cricket and charity.
- Richard Lyttle, former racecourse manager, for services to horse racing.
- Lou Macari, former footballer and Macari Foundation founder, for services to football and homeless people.
- Ryan Moore, jockey, for services to horseracing and British sport.
- Richard Morris, head of GB Para Badminton, for services to sport and disabled people.
- Garry Richardson, broadcaster, for services to sport broadcasting.
- Alessia Russo, England and Arsenal footballer, for services to football.
- Gary Street, former head coach of England women's rugby, for services to rugby union.
- Brian Walsh, former Ireland cricket team manager, for services to cricket.
- Tony Whelan, Manchester United youth football coach, for services to football.
