Sir Kevin Sinfield will carry the official Betfred Super League Grand Final match ball on his seventh and final annual fundraising challenge, culminating at Old Trafford before delivering it for rugby league’s showpiece event.
The former Leeds Rhinos and England captain is preparing to embark on 7 in 7: The Grand Finale, his ultimate week-long endurance challenge to raise funds and vital awareness for the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) community across the UK and Ireland.
Having raised more than £11m alongside his team since his inaugural run in 2020, Sinfield will complete an ultra-marathon every day for seven consecutive days.
The marathon trek will launch at the home of World Club champions Hull KR on Sunday, September 27, visiting all 12 English Betfred Super League grounds before reaching Old Trafford ahead of the Grand Final on Saturday, October 3.
“It’s an honour to take the match ball for the biggest night in Super League”
Sinfield, who famously captained Leeds Rhinos to seven Grand Final triumphs at the Theatre of Dreams alongside his late friend Rob Burrow, will hand over the match ball in front of a packed stadium just before kick-off.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead and, as always, am so grateful for the unstinting support and encouragement we have already seen,” Sinfield said.
“Some of my greatest memories in rugby league, of course, have occurred at Old Trafford and in the Grand Final,
“It’s an honour to be able to take the match ball for the biggest night in Super League with us on our own journey before arriving at what is always an electric atmosphere and special occasion.”
RL Commercial Managing Director and interim RFL Chief Executive Rhodri Jones paid tribute to Sinfield’s extraordinary ongoing legacy within the sport and beyond.
“Sir Kevin is one of the most iconic names in Super League history,” Jones said.
“He is synonymous with Grand Final night and his remarkable endeavours, all those epic running challenges we have seen over the years in support of his great friend Rob Burrow and the MND community, remain an inspiration to us all.
“As a competition, we are delighted he’s now bringing the ball to the centre stage at Old Trafford ready for the biggest 80 minutes of the season when everything is on the line. The whole sport of Rugby League wishes Sir Kevin and all his team the very best on what promises to be yet another arduous and challenging seven days.”
How to support the 7 in 7 Grand Finale
Six charities will benefit from this year’s efforts: the MND Association, Leeds Hospitals Charity, My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, Darby Rimmer Foundation, MND Scotland, and the Irish MND Association.
Sinfield and his team will wear 12 specially-designed shirts representing each Super League ground visited, before donning a 13th neutral kit for their arrival on the Old Trafford pitch.
Supporters can donate directly to the challenge via the official fundraising page at https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/7-in-7-the-grand-finale.
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