Sir Kevin Sinfield is set to carry the Super League Grand Final match ball for the seventh and final time in a uniquely symbolic appearance. On October 3, live on Sky Sports from Old Trafford, the former Leeds Rhinos and England captain will hand over the ball at the climax of the season, a moment that ties together his illustrious playing career and his ongoing charitable mission. Sinfield’s latest undertaking is another grueling ultra‑marathon designed to shine a spotlight on motor neurone disease (MND) and to raise vital funds for the community across the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.
Since launching his first annual challenge in 2020, he and his dedicated team have generated more than £11 million for MND charities. This year’s effort will see him complete an ultra‑marathon each day for seven consecutive days, beginning at the home of the world‑club champions Hull KR on Sunday, September 27, and then travelling to the stadiums of all twelve English Super League clubs. The final leg will culminate at Old Trafford on Saturday, October 3, just before the Grand Final. For a player who guided Leeds to seven Grand Final victories at the famed "Theatre of Dreams," the chance to present the match ball is both an honour and a full‑circle moment.
It also offers a poignant tribute to his close friend Rob Burrow, whose battle with MND inspired Sinfield’s marathon series. Old Trafford holds particular resonance because it was the venue where Burrow scored what many regard as the greatest Grand Final try ever – a dazzling effort against St Helens in 2011. Sinfield described the venue as "the perfect place to bring everything back home to the rugby league community," adding that the stadium is steeped in memories of Burrow’s brilliance. "It feels right to return the ball to the sport that gave us so much," Sinfield told Sky Sports.
"Rob’s try at Old Trafford is, in my view, the finest Grand Final try in the history of the game. He won eight Grand Finals, and to be able to honour him in the place where he shone is incredibly special." He also reflected on the broader support the sport has shown for the MND cause.
"We were at Old Trafford for the Rugby League World Cup final in 2022, and the atmosphere was electric even though England weren’t in the final. The love for Rob, the support for the MND community, and the solidarity of rugby league fans have been overwhelming.
I’m proud of how the game has rallied around its own, and I know this night will be another testament to that spirit." Rhodri Jones, the commercial managing director of the Rugby League and interim chief executive of the RFL, praised Sinfield’s contribution: "Sir Kevin is one of the most iconic figures in Super League history. He is synonymous with Grand Final night, and his marathon challenges in support of Rob Burrow and the MND community have inspired countless people. As a competition, we are thrilled that he will now bring the ball onto the centre stage at Old Trafford for the biggest 80 minutes of the season, when the Betfred Super League champions are crowned." The seven‑day challenge will also support six charitable organisations: the MND Association, Leeds Hospitals Charity, My Name5 Doddie Foundation, Darby Rimmer Foundation, MND Scotland and the Irish MND Association. Each charity will benefit from the donations generated through the fundraising page, which remains open for contributions from supporters worldwide.
In addition to the marathon, the Super League play‑offs will be in full swing. The schedule includes: - Friday 18 September: Wakefield Trinity vs Leigh Leopards, kickoff 8 pm on Sky Sports - Saturday 19 September: Warrington Wolves vs Hull KR, kickoff 5:30 pm on Sky Sports - Semi‑Final 1 – Friday 25 September: Leeds Rhinos vs TBC, 8 pm kickoff on Sky Sports - Semi‑Final 2 – Saturday 26 September: Wigan Warriors vs TBC, 5:30 pm kickoff on Sky Sports These matches will lead up to the Grand Final at Old Trafford on 3 October, where Sir Kevin will present the ball to the players who will battle for the championship in front of a global audience.
His presence will serve as a reminder of the sport’s capacity to unite fans, players, and charities for a common cause. The marathon itself is a test of endurance and will see Sinfield covering ultra‑marathon distances each day – a feat that demands not only physical stamina but also mental resilience.
Over the past three years, his challenges have included running the length of the UK, climbing the highest peaks in each of the four nations, and even completing a 100‑mile trek across the Lake District. Each endeavour has been meticulously planned to maximise visibility for MND, with local media coverage, social‑media updates, and community events at each stadium stop.
By the time he reaches Old Trafford, Sinfield will have run thousands of kilometres, met countless supporters, and raised substantial funds for research, patient care, and family support services linked to MND. His final act – handing the Grand Final ball to the players – will symbolise the culmination of a journey that began on the pitch, moved through charitable activism, and now returns to the sport that shaped his life. The message is clear: rugby league is more than a game; it is a community that cares for its own. Sir Kevin’s marathon and his role in the Grand Final underline the powerful synergy between sport, philanthropy, and personal dedication.
As the season draws to a close, fans can look forward to an emotionally charged Grand Final, a night where the ball, the cause, and the legacy of two rugby league legends – Kevin Sinfield and Rob Burrow – will be celebrated together.