Honours ListMilestone RecognitionJun 12, 2026, 11:05 PM· #42 of 277 in sports

Kevin Sinfield Knighted and Six Lionesses Awarded MBEs in King's Birthday Honours

Rugby league legend Kevin Sinfield has received a knighthood for his monumental MND fundraising, while six members of England's Euro-winning squad were made MBEs.

By Factlen Editorial Team

MND Community & Charities 40%Women's Football Advocates 35%Rugby League Community 25%
MND Community & Charities
Focuses on how Sinfield's visibility has transformed funding and public awareness for a historically underfunded disease.
Women's Football Advocates
Focuses on how the MBEs validate the Lionesses' role in changing the cultural landscape of football in the UK.
Rugby League Community
Focuses on the pride within the rugby league community at seeing one of their own receive the sport's second-ever knighthood.

What's not represented

  • · Grassroots sports organizers who rely on the visibility of these athletes to drive local participation.

Why this matters

These honors highlight how athletes are increasingly using their platforms to drive tangible societal change, from funding critical medical research to inspiring the next generation of women in sports.

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