RUGBY LEAGUE legend Kevin Sinfield was the recipient of a special award that had nothing to do with his sporting exploits.
The Grotton-based former Oldham Sixth Form College student has been given the Association of Colleges Gold Award.
The awards celebrate the success of further education and acknowledge the vital role that colleges play in building the foundation of successful careers.
Kevin said: “I’m delighted. I’m really proud to come through Oldham Sixth Form College and to get an award like this 15-20 year on is a real surprise but it’s something I’m very proud of.
“My time at the college was fantastic. I’ve got some great memories. The two years I spent were probably the toughest of my career to date.
“Trying to combine four A Levels with a full time professional rugby career; trying to manage both careers was very difficult but the help and support I got from the college – the encouragement, certainly inspired me, to get through those two years and has helped me ever since in my career. Being able to manage time and prioritise have been some of the key things I learned here.
“It’s a great college and I still have a lot of friends here who were teachers back then and are still here now.”
Sadly Kevin was unable to attend the awards ceremony at the House of Commons because Leeds Rhinos were playing the next day.
But he received it later at Oldham Sixth Form College from current student Amy Clinton who plays netball for Oldham, Manchester Thunder and England under-19’s. She received the Association of Colleges Future Star award and a grant for £1,000 in London.
Jayne Clarke, Principal at Oldham Sixth Form College, said: “Kevin is an outstanding role model, both within his sport and more generally. He thoroughly deserves this recognition for his success whilst with us and in his amazing career since.
“This is great news for our college and our students and we’d like to congratulate both Kevin and Amy, as our ‘Future Star’, on these awards.”
Kevin continues to create records as he has moved into third place in the all-time list of rugby league point scorers.
The 34-year-old kicked six goals and scored a try for Rhinos in a 36-16 win against Hull KR to move ahead of Gus Risman’s total of 4,050 set between 1929/54.
But as Sinfield switches codes to join Yorkshire Carnegie at the end of the season, he has no chance of catching all-time record holder Neil Fox who scored 6,220 points between 1956/79.
