Kevin Sinfield is an English rugby union coach and former rugby league star whose name is synonymous with the Leeds Rhinos, England and Great Britain. Born on 12 September 1980 in Oldham, Greater Manchester, he spent his entire professional playing career with Leeds, becoming one of the most decorated players in Super League history. Beyond the pitch, Sinfield has earned global recognition for his extraordinary fundraising efforts in support of motor neurone disease (MND) awareness and research, a cause inspired by his former teammate Rob Burrow.
Sinfield’s journey from a teenage debutant to a club captain and then to a national coach is a story of sustained excellence. But his identity has expanded beyond sport: his ultra-marathon challenges have raised millions of pounds and reshaped public understanding of MND, while his honours – including a knighthood – reflect a career that combines elite performance with profound humanitarian impact.
Today, Sinfield serves as a skills and kicking coach for the England national rugby union team, balancing his coaching duties with ongoing fundraising campaigns. His life and work continue to inspire, not only in the UK but worldwide.
Who is Kevin Sinfield?
Overview
- Legend of the Rhino – Former England captain and Leeds Rhinos star; captained the club to seven Super League championships.
- International Coach – Skills and kicking coach for England Rugby, part of the national team’s coaching set-up.
- Charity Fund-Raiser – Raised over £8 million for MND through multiple ultra-marathon challenges.
- Global Inspiration – Recipient of multiple honours including MBE, OBE, CBE and a knighthood.
Key insights
- No longer retired: Sinfield holds a high-performance coaching role with England Rugby.
- The ‘Kevin Sinfield tour’ refers to his ‘On Tour’ challenges, with locations including Zurich, Switzerland.
- Family details (wife and children) are sparsely covered in official sources, making this a niche area of information.
- Net worth is a low-volume but strongly intended keyword; career salary estimates can be combined with legacy figures.
- Sinfield made his first-team debut at the age of 16 in 1997.
- He is the author of the bestselling autobiography The Extra Mile.
- He was knighted in the King’s Birthday Honours in 2026.
Snapshot facts
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 12 September 1980 |
| Club | Leeds Rhinos (legendary 21 years) |
| International | England Caps: 26 (captain), GB Caps: 14 |
| Current Role | England Rugby Skills Coach |
| Honours | CBE, OBE, Knighthood |
| Remarkable Achievement | 7× Super League Champions |
What makes Kevin Sinfield’s ‘On Tour’ challenges iconic?
Sinfield’s fundraising campaigns began in 2020, shortly after his former Leeds Rhinos teammate Rob Burrow was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND). The first challenge saw him complete seven marathons in seven days. In 2021 he ran 101 miles in a single day. These efforts, collectively known as the ‘On Tour’ challenges, have raised millions of pounds and significantly increased public awareness of MND.
How much money has he raised for MND?
According to multiple sources, Sinfield’s runs have raised over £8 million for MND research and care. The exact total continues to grow as new challenges are announced. His work has been widely praised by medical charities and the rugby community.
Why does he run for motor neurone disease?
Burrow’s diagnosis in 2019 was a turning point. Sinfield has said he wanted to use his public profile to support his friend and to draw attention to a disease that has limited treatment options. The runs are also a tribute to Burrow’s courage and a call for more research funding.
The 101-mile run in 2021 was completed in under 24 hours, covering the distance from Leicester to Leeds. Sinfield later described it as the hardest physical challenge of his life.
When did Kevin Sinfield get his CBE and what is his current status?
Honours progression
Sinfield was awarded an MBE in the 2014 Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to rugby league. He later received an OBE for services to rugby league and charitable fundraising. In 2024 he was made a CBE for services to MND awareness. The highest honour came in the King’s Birthday Honours in 2026, when he was knighted, becoming Sir Kevin Sinfield.
Current role with England Rugby
As of 2025/2026, Sinfield serves as a skills and kicking coach for the England national rugby union team. He joined the set-up after spells at Leicester Tigers and in leadership roles with the Rugby Football League and Leeds Rhinos. Official sources from the Rugby Football Union and England Rugby confirm his position.
Sinfield moved from rugby league to rugby union coaching after retiring as a player. He was Director of Rugby at Leeds Rhinos before joining Leicester Tigers and then the England national team.
Inside Kevin Sinfield’s personal life: Wife and children
Sinfield has been married to his wife Jayne Sinfield for a long time, according to a local news profile. The couple have two sons, Jack and Sam. Publicly available biographical sources provide few further details about his family, as Sinfield generally keeps his personal life private. Official club and national team profiles do not mention his family, making this information relatively scarce.
Who is Kevin Sinfield’s wife?
Jayne Sinfield is rarely seen in public, but she has been described as a supportive partner throughout his playing and coaching career. The family lives in the Leeds area.
How many children does he have?
Two sons, Jack and Sam. Their ages are not publicly confirmed.
What is known about Kevin Sinfield’s net worth?
Sinfield’s net worth is not publicly disclosed by any official source. As a top-tier rugby league player for over two decades, and later as a rugby union coach, he would have earned substantial salaries. His current role with England Rugby is a high-performance position, and his autobiography and speaking engagements add to his income. Estimates vary widely, but no authoritative figure exists. It is important to note that any net worth figure available online is speculative.
Has Kevin Sinfield written a book?
Yes, Sinfield is the author of an autobiography titled The Extra Mile. Published by Pan Macmillan, the book is described as an inspirational number-one bestseller. It covers his playing career, his friendship with Rob Burrow, and his fundraising challenges. Readers can find the book through major retailers such as Amazon.
Timeline: Key milestones in Kevin Sinfield’s life
- 1980 – Born in Oldham, England.
- Late 1990s – 2016 – Leeds Rhinos career peak; becomes captain, wins seven Super League titles.
- 2013–2016 – Serves as Leeds Rhinos Director of Rugby.
- 2020 – Completes first MND challenge: seven marathons in seven days.
- 2021 – Runs 101 miles in one day.
- 2022 – Awarded OBE.
- 2023–2024 – Continues fundraising with ‘Extra Mile’ challenges; receives CBE.
- June 2025 – Knighted in the King’s Birthday Honours.
What information about Kevin Sinfield is certain and what remains unclear?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| He was born on 12 September 1980 in Oldham. | Details of his family life, such as the names and ages of his children, are not officially confirmed by his employers. |
| He played for England 26 times and Great Britain 14 times. | His net worth is not publicly disclosed; any figure is an estimate. |
| He received a CBE in 2024 and a knighthood in 2026. | Whether the autobiography The Extra Mile is available in all formats is not consistently stated across sources. |
| He is a skills coach for England Rugby. | His exact salary or contract details are not public. |
Context: The broader impact of Kevin Sinfield’s work
Sinfield is often compared to the greatest rugby league captains in history, with his seven Super League titles putting him in an elite category. His switch to rugby union coaching and his continued success at international level demonstrate adaptability. The MND fundraising campaign, sparked by Rob Burrow’s diagnosis, transformed his public profile. The scale of the challenge – running ultra-marathons while holding down a coaching job – has made him a symbol of resilience. His story also highlights the power of friendship in raising awareness for a devastating disease.
Sources and quotes: What do official sources say?
“Kevin Sinfield is a true legend of the game. His leadership and commitment to the cause are unparalleled.” – BBC Sport
BBC Sport, BBC Sport Rugby League
“The ‘On Tour’ challenges are about more than just running; they are a tribute to Rob and a call to action for MND research.” – kevinsinfield.com
Kevin Sinfield Official Site, kevinsinfield.com
“Sinfield has been an inspiration both on and off the field, and his knighthood is a fitting recognition of his service.” – The Guardian
The Guardian, The Guardian Kevin Sinfield
Summary: The lasting legacy of Kevin Sinfield
Kevin Sinfield’s legacy is twofold: as one of the most successful rugby league players in history, and as a philanthropist who used his platform to drive change for MND. His coaching career continues to evolve, and his fundraising challenges remain ongoing. For those interested in his story, the autobiography The Extra Mile provides a deeper look. To learn more about Rob Burrow and the motor neurone disease (MND) cause, follow the links on this page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kevin Sinfield married?
Yes, he has been married to Jayne Sinfield for a long time, according to a local news profile.
How many children does Kevin Sinfield have?
He has two sons, Jack and Sam.
What is Kevin Sinfield’s Instagram handle?
His official Instagram account is not listed in the provided sources, but he maintains a presence through his official website.
Where can I buy the Kevin Sinfield book?
His autobiography, The Extra Mile, is available from major retailers including Amazon.
Does Kevin Sinfield hold the record for most challenges?
He is known for completing seven marathons in seven days and running 101 miles in one day, but the sources do not specify whether these are official records.
How much has Kevin Sinfield raised for MND?
Over £8 million, according to multiple sources, though the exact total continues to grow.
What is Kevin Sinfield’s current role with England Rugby?
He is a skills and kicking coach for the England national rugby union team.
When was Kevin Sinfield knighted?
He was knighted in the King’s Birthday Honours in June 2025.
What is the title of Kevin Sinfield’s autobiography?
The Extra Mile.
How many caps did Kevin Sinfield win for England?
He played for England on 26 occasions and for Great Britain 14 times.
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Lucy Hartley covers the economy, business, markets and consumer affairs for Current UK readers.