07 February 2024 , 17:24
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Rob Burrow is to be honoured by the sport he loves, as a top rugby league trophy is named after him.
The player of the match award at this year’s Super League Grand Final will receive the Rob Burrow Award, it was announced on Wednesday. It will replace the Harry Sunderland Trophy which has been presented to the man of the match in finals since 1998.
The former Leeds and Great Britain scrum-half, 41, was the first to win the trophy twice, doing so in 2007 and 2011. RL Commercial’s managing director, Rhodri Jones, said the announcement was “a show of our gratitude to Rob for being the player he was, and a sign of rugby league’s support to him and his family in the battle against motor neurone disease”.
Rugby Football League vice-president Trevor Hunt said: “I’m certain rugby league players and supporters will agree the name of Rob Burrow is a fitting one to recognise.”
Dad-of-three Rob has been fundraising since being diagnosed with MND in 2019. He was awarded a CBE in the New Year honours list. Rob has been invited to present the award at the final at Old Trafford on October 14, along with his friend, former team-mate and fellow fundraiser Kevin Sinfield, 43. The previous Harry Sunderland Trophy was named after a late Australian league pioneer.
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Meanwhile, Rob, who wore No7, was handed a £77,777 donation at Doncaster Racecourse last week to help him live with MND. Rob and wife Lindsey watched a horse named after Rob, called Beep Beep Burrow.
Last month, the Prince of Wales surprised Burrow and Kevin Sinfield by presenting them with their CBEs during a visit to Headingley Stadium. William paid tribute to the pair’s “phenomenal” efforts in raising funds and awareness for motor neurone disease (MND).
The former Leeds and Great Britain scrum-half, 41, was the first to win the trophy twice (PA)Sinfield and Burrow, who were Leeds Rhinos team-mates during their playing careers, were made CBEs in the New Year Honours List for services to MND awareness.
Sinfield has raised more than £15million since his friend Burrow was diagnosed with MND, an incurable and life-limiting condition, in December 2019. Last year, Sinfield, 43, completed the “7 in 7 in 7” challenge by completing seven ultramarathons in seven cities in as many days.