"Always a captain, always a leader, always a friend, Sir Kevin Sinfield... what a man" - Dan Walker
"Knighting Sinfield was the easiest decision of my life - The more Kevs we have in this country the better.” - HRH William, the Prince of Wales, 2026
Sir Kevin Sinfield is a rugby league legend, inspirational endurance runner and bestselling author whose achievements have captured the hearts of the nation. One of the most successful players in Super League history, Kevin has demonstrated exceptional leadership both on the pitch and through his extraordinary fundraising for motor neurone disease (MND). His running challenges, including seven ultra-marathons in seven days and 101 miles in 24 hours, have become powerful expressions of friendship, resilience and determination. A former Leeds Rhinos captain who has since coached England’s rugby union team, Kevin brings outstanding experience of teamwork, leadership and performing under pressure.
Kevin began playing at Waterhead ARLFC before making his Leeds first-team debut in 1997, aged just 16. Selected for England’s 2000 Rugby League World Cup squad, he scored a hat-trick in the team’s 76–4 victory over Russia and went on to represent England and Great Britain. Appointed Leeds captain in 2003, Kevin led the team to their first Super League Grand Final victory the following year, ending a 32-year wait for a league title. Kevin’s individual honours include the 2005 Lance Todd Trophy, the Harry Sunderland Trophy in 2009 and 2012 and the 2012 Golden Boot. Across 521 Leeds appearances, he helped secure seven Super League titles, two Challenge Cups and three World Club Challenge victories, concluding his Leeds playing career with a historic treble. In 2015, he became the first rugby league player nominated for BBC Sports Personality of the Year, finishing second. He subsequently served as Performance Director at the Rugby Football League and Director of Rugby at Leeds Rhinos, before coaching Leicester Tigers and England.
Since retiring from professional rugby, Kevin Sinfield has been deeply committed to raising funds and awareness for Motor Neurone Disease (MND), driven by his close friend Rob Burrow's diagnosis. Motivated to support Rob, Kevin completed seven ultra-marathons in seven days, raising £1.5 million for MND research. He also took part in the Leeds Marathon, pushing Rob's wheelchair for 26.2 miles before carrying him across the finish line. In 2024, Kevin was appointed CBE for Services to MND Awareness before being awarded a Knighthood in the 2026 King's Birthday Honours. He has also been awarded the Freedom of the City of Leeds. He launched an appeal for the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease, raising over £11 million as of 2026. Sadly, Rob Burrow passed away on June 2, 2024. Kevin paid an emotional tribute, stating "The world has lost a great man and a wonderful friend to so many. You fought so bravely until the end and became a beacon of hope and inspiration, not only for the MND community but for all those who saw and heard your story."
Kevin’s autobiography, The Extra Mile, explores his sporting career, friendship with Rob and commitment to helping others. A No. 1 Sunday Times bestseller and one of The Times’ Sports Books of the Year for 2023, it won the 2024 Sports Bestseller Award and Overall Sports Book of the Year at the Sports Book Awards, in association with The Sunday Times. The Extra Mile has earned glowing praise from readers and leading figures across sport and broadcasting, celebrating Kevin’s inspirational leadership, extraordinary compassion and unwavering commitment to the MND community.
Reader reviews of Kevin’s bestselling autobiography, The Extra Mile.
“An inspirational and life-affirming read. What Kevin Sinfield has achieved on and off the field is truly remarkable. His inspiring leadership and relentless focus on fundraising for MND shows how we should all strive to care more for each other” - Gareth Southgate
“If you want inspiring, uplifting and empowering... give this amazing man some of your time.” - Jake Humphrey
“I've always thought Kevin Sinfield was a hero. His quiet, calm, committed leadership makes people want to support him and we are all doing that as he supports Rob Burrow and everyone living with MND” - Clare Balding
Praise for Kevin from leading figures in sport, broadcasting and the national press.
In October 2026, Kevin’s extraordinary contribution to the motor neurone disease community was celebrated in the BBC One documentary, Thank You Sir Kev. Made by BBC Breakfast, the programme explores the friendship with Rob Burrow that inspired his fundraising, following seven remarkable endurance challenges which have helped raise more than £13 million. Featuring contributions from Kevin’s parents, Rob’s family and people living with MND, the documentary examines the compassion and determination behind his achievements. His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales also pays tribute to Kevin’s quiet leadership and his ability to bring communities together.
His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales, speaking about Sir Kevin Sinfield in the BBC documentary Thank You Sir Kev.
As a sought-after keynote and motivational speaker, Kevin combines entertaining stories from an exceptional sporting career with deeply moving reflections on friendship, purpose and going the extra mile for others. His experiences give audiences a powerful perspective on leadership, teamwork, resilience and overcoming adversity, alongside practical lessons in maintaining focus when challenges feel overwhelming. Whether addressing a corporate conference, awards evening or after-dinner audience, Kevin brings warmth, humility and conviction, encouraging people to support one another and recognise what they can achieve together.
Kevin has also been selected for Champions’ Official Best Motivational Speakers list, informed by vetted feedback from 1,129 UK event surveys conducted between 2019 and 2024 and reviewed by our experienced speaker specialists. Champions’ relationship with Kevin Sinfield reached an exciting milestone on Friday 23 October 2026, when we signed him to an exclusive three-year contract to manage all of his keynote speaking and commercial engagements. Having sat down with Kevin in January 2024 to explore his remarkable career, fundraising challenges and friendship with Rob Burrow, we are proud to begin this new chapter together. Watch our Exclusive Interview with Kevin Sinfield for an insight into the man whose determination and compassion have inspired the nation.
Social Media
Books
The Extra Mile: My Autobiography
Reviews
Sir Kevin Sinfield received a 5 star rating across 24 events in 2025.
Agent Recommendation
"I highly recommend Kevin as an inspirational speaker whose achievements in rugby and extraordinary commitment to MND fundraising offer powerful lessons in leadership, resilience and compassion. Drawing on his experiences of captaining successful teams and supporting his friend Rob Burrow, Kevin brings warmth, humility and purpose to every message. His story demonstrates how teamwork and determination can create meaningful change, making him an excellent choice for organisations looking to motivate their people, strengthen connections and inspire audiences to support others."
Official Feedback from In-Person & Virtual Events:
Feedback from In-Person Events:
"We are nearly a week past the event, and people are still talking about the hour or so that he spent with us, the messaging and inspiration it has provided has been phenomenal. We can't thank Kevin or yourselves enough for what a great event it was and the positive impact is has been for those who took part live, virtually or who have watched the recording in the days since. I do know a number of people in the room have re-watched the event already and taken further things for themselves from it. Amazing event, really well received, smooth and efficiently organised." - Julian, OBE Insurance
"Please could you pass on my heartfelt thanks to Kevin for speaking with our students and staff at TAH today. The presentation was fantastic and truly inspiring. I have already received numerous positive messages from both staff and students following the event. We really appreciated Kevin taking the time to speak one-on-one with students and allow them to take numerous photos! His work for MND charity is very close to my heart and we would like to wish him all the very best with the fundraising and the profile of this disease in the future. Our staff have also personally supported this charity and will continue to do so." - Kathyrn, Assistant Principal, Trinity Academy Halifax
"Kevin’s story and learnings worked on so many levels from leading at home, being humble, driving excellence and much more. Everyone in our team was truly inspired and throughout the rest of our evening together were all talking about different events in our own lives that relate to what Kevin had to say. Please pass on our immense gratitude to Kevin and hopefully, we can work together at some stage in the future." - Tesco
"Friday night has been fantastic - Keven absolutely blew everyone away. I have had so many responses from members saying how they enjoyed his presentation. He is indeed a very inspirational individual." - Rotary in Cumbria & Lancashire
"The event was a huge success, everyone had a great time and Kevin was brilliant!" - Jodie, Marketing and Bid Manager, Ultimate Group
- 2026 - Awarded Knighthood in King's Birthday Honours
- 2024 - Appointed CBE for Services to Motor Neurone Disease Awareness
- 2023 - Completed the Leeds Marathon, pushing Rob Burrow for 26.2 miles in his wheelchair & carrying him over the finish line
- 2023 - Author of "The Extra Mile: My Autobiography"
- 2022 - Awarded Freedom of the City of Leeds for services to the MND Community
- 2022- Completed 7 ultra marathons in 7 days to raise £1.5 million
- 2021 - Appointed OBE for Service to Rugby League Football & Charitable Fundraising
- 2021 - Raised a further £2 million for MND Association by running 101 miles in under 24 hours
- 2020 - Raised over £1million for the MND Association and former teammate Rob Burrows by running seven marathons in seven days
- 2016 - Named Director of the RFL
- 2015 - First Rugby League player to be nominated for BBC Sports Personality of the Year
- 2015 - Made his Rugby Union Debut for Yorkshire Carnegie
- 2014 - Appointed MBE for Services to Rugby League
- 2012 - Won the Harry Sutherland Trophy for the second time
- 2012 - Super League Golden Boot Winner
- 2005 - Lance Todd Trophy Winner
- 2000 - Played for England in the World Cup
- 1997 - Made his Rugby League Debut for Leeds Rhinos
- Seven-time Super League winner
- Three-time winner of the World Club Challenge
- Two-time winner of the Challenge Cup
- Leeds' all-time points scorer
How to hire Sir Kevin Sinfield
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Sir Kevin Sinfield for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
** We do NOT accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
