Sinfield’s pride

Kevin Sinfield comes “home” to Waterhead ARLFC. Picture: Darren Robinson Kevin Richardson

RUGBY League legend Kevin Sinfield will represent Oldham with pride at Sunday’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards.

Former Leeds Rhinos captain Sinfield is among the front-runners to pick up the famous trophy at the SSE Arena in Belfast. The most decorated rugby league player of his generation will rub shoulders with Britain’s sporting heroes at the glittering night of stars.

Among the 12 nominees are Davis Cup tennis ace Andy Murray, athletics gold-medallists Jessica Ennis-Hill and Mo Farah, and three-times Formula One world drivers’ champion Lewis Hamilton.

Former Waterhead junior Sinfield said: “I’ve got no expectations going there, I’m just looking forward to what Sunday brings. The whole process of the last couple of weeks has been very humbling. To be part of that list of names is really special.

“When you come from a team sport, I suppose in many ways you are a little bit embarrassed to be the one picked out. To be among some world champions and Olympic gold-medal winners, that doesn’t come around very often.

“I am a proud Oldhamer and it’s good for Oldham. It gets our name in the spotlight for the right reasons.

“I’m very proud that I still live here. I know I’ve got a foot in both camps, but I’m proud of Oldham as a town and Leeds as a city and what they’ve helped to provide me and the different opportunities.”

Sinfield (35) spent nearly two decades at Rhinos, and this year became only the fourth player in the sport to pass 4,000 points.

The former England captain, fondly known as ‘Sir Kev’ ended his rugby league career on a massive high, completing the treble of Challenge Cup, League Leaders’ Shield and Super League Grand Final in one season.

Sunday’s red-carpet event is a far removed from Waterhead Park where, as seven-year-old, he got his first taste of rugby league.

Sinfield added: “The nomination is a lovely add-on that was completely out of the blue. I didn’t for a second, having won the treble, think something else would come on the back of my rugby league career.

“Everything in life I owe to rugby league and Leeds Rhinos. It’s been a fantastic sport for me.”

The contenders: Andy Murray, Jessica Ennis-Hill, Chris Froome, Mo Farah, Lizzie Armistead, Lewis Hamilton, Max Whitlock, Greg Rutherford, Kevin Sinfield, Adam Peatty, Lucy Bronze, Tyson Fury.