A leading rugby league broadcaster has been recognised in the New Years Honours whilst a decision has also been made on Kevin Sinfield, amid the constant calls for the ex-Leeds Rhinos man to be knighted.
As expected, that has not happened with the protocol that honours cannot be upgraded within three years being kept to, despite some speculation that it may be overlooked in Sinfield’s case.
He has raised over £11 million to help raise awareness and fight against Motor Neurone Disease, however, he was made a CBE in 2023 and therefore cannot receive an upgraded honour until at least 2027.
Whilst Sinfield missed out this year, three rugby league figures did get recognised with refereeing duo Julie Lee and Tara Jones both made MBEs for their pioneering work as officials.
Lee was the first woman to referee a men’s match in the UK, whilst current full-time official Jones was part of the officials team for this year’s Grand Final.
It’s also been confirmed that a third rugby league figure has been recognised with dual-code star Jonathan Davies made a CBE.
Jonathan Davies made CBE as Kevin Sinfield misses out
Davies, who started off in rugby union before making the move to rugby league, has been recognised for services to people with cancer and for broadcasting.
He regularly features on the BBC’s coverage of rugby league, working on the Challenge Cup whilst also commentating on the recent Ashes series.
Speaking to the BBC about his honour, Davies said: “It means a lot and I am very privileged and honoured to accept it.”
Davies has previously been made an MBE (1995) for services to rugby league and an OBE (2015) for voluntary and charitable services to people with cancer.
Like Kevin Sinfield, he is now just one upgrade away from becoming a sir, though he would have to wait longer before becoming eligible.
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Alun Williams
December 30, 2025 at 4:40 pm
Jiffy has raised 50 million pound for cancer charities in wales
Jacs
December 30, 2025 at 6:46 pm
I think it’s disgusting while our kevin who as done loads for charities and motor humour diseases for the people who as this as not got a MBE award and he as to wait till 2027 while Beckham got one and he dosnt do as much as kevin sinfield that lad as worked is socks off running which is hard so u need to think about this and give the lad that award he deserves hes done more then all them who just got MBE awards and why they havent done half as much as that lad as done show gratitude and give him what he deserves bless him hes the one that’s done it all
Paul T
December 30, 2025 at 9:30 pm
There is only one award above the CBE, a knighthood. The MBE is a lower grade award to the CBE, Kevin and Rob were both given a CBE in 2023, and as such, the rules of the awards mean Kevin cannot be given a knighthood until 2027, which I am certain will be given to him for the money he has raised for MND
Paul cheesed off
December 31, 2025 at 2:51 am
Give every body a sodding kn̈ighthood its a bloody joke title anyway
Rachel
December 31, 2025 at 6:01 pm
There are times when rules make no sense and this is one of them. Assuming that honours are truly only awarded on merit, Kevin Sinfield could not be more deserving. Rules be damned!