Kevin Sinfield is a beloved former English Rugby Player who now serves as England national Men’s team Defence Coach and Director of Rugby for the Leeds Rhinos team. He was lauded for his participation in seven ultra marathons in seven days in 2022 where he raised a whopping £1.5 million for Motor Neurone Disease, a disease that his former teammate Rob Burrows is also afflicted with. Most recently, Kevin was seen wheeling Rob for over 26.2 miles in a wheelchair and carrying him over the finish line of the Leeds Marathon on the 12th of May 2023. This was a sight that tugged at the heartstrings of millions. Kevin has over the years raised nearly £8 million for MND to date.
Kevin started playing professionally at the age of 16 and was part of the 2000 England Rugby League World Cup team. Before that he had only played in an amateur setting but still managed to stand out in his club Waterhead ARLFC, playing for the team 21 times in two years and scoring a couple of tries as well. When he began to play internationally for the English team, Kevin did wonders. A particular game against Russia saw him score 3 consecutive tries and the team was triumphant with a 76-4 score. This stellar performance catapulted his career, and he began playing in many more international games.
Having won the Lance Todd Trophy for Man of the Match in 2005 for his performance in the 2005 World Club Challenge, Kevin kept upping his game and skills, making him a legend in the eyes of many. He has played in the 2002 and 2003 Kangaroo tour, 2003 Challenge Cup final and 2004 Super League grand final as well. Kevin’s incredible performances time after time made him the first rugby league player that was nominated for the BBC Sports Personality Award. In 2024, Kevin was honoured on the New Year's Honours List with the appointment of CBE for Services to Motor Neurone Disease Awareness.
A recipient of an MBE in 2014 and OBE in 2021 for his contribution to English rugby, Kevin retired from playing in 2016, but his dedication and love for the sport didn’t allow him to step away from it completely. He will be the Defence Coach for the 2023 English Men’s team and is the Director of Rugby at the Leeds Rhinos. Now available to speak at corporate events, he is an excellent choice to hire for your event. Known to tell the most exciting and interesting stories from his time on and off the field, his audience will always leave feeling cheery. Hire Kevin Sinfield today!
In January 2024 we sat down with Kevin Sinfield and discussed highlights from his rugby career, his experiences of fundraising and how his friends recent MND diagnosis has impacted his life. Watch our Exclusive Interview with Kevin Sinfield.
