International Rugby League has confirmed a six-woman shortlist for the 2024 IRL Golden Boot, and St.Helens Women's Captain Jodie Cunningham is among the esteemed group!
The Women’s, Men’s and Wheelchair IRL Golden Boot is awarded to the best player from sanctioned international matches that are played each year.
Cunningham who serves England as Captain played her part by leading England Women to two big wins. Firstly over France in the mid-season clash in Toulouse during June, running out 0-42 victors, and that was followed by a huge 82-0 demolition against Wales in Leeds.
Across the two international victories Cunningham set up five tries and showed why he is highly regarded as one of the very best players in the Betfred Women’s Super League, and on the international stage.
Jodie is the only player from the northern hemisphere to be on the shortlist, which includes three of Australia’s Jillaroos, who won the Pacific Championships in Sydney last weekend, and one each from New Zealand and Samoa.
Tarryn Aiken, Tiana Penitani and Tamika Upton are the three Jillaroos on the shortlist to become the first Australian winner of the award since 2019. Annessa Biddle is the only New Zealander, aiming to follow in the footsteps of her Kiwi Ferns team-mates Georgia Hale and Raecene McGregor who have won the award in the last two years, while Annetta-Claudia Nu’uausala completes the shortlist after leading Samoa to victories over Fiji, Tonga and Papua New Guinea, in the process securing a place in the 2026 World Cup.
Speaking about her inclusion on the Golden Boot shortlist, Head Coach of England Women Stuart Barrow said: “This is just reward for Jodie, for another superb season at club and international level. She’s been outstanding in both our international wins, against France and Wales, leading from the front to inspire a squad including eight debutants.
“The consistency she has shown for almost two decades now since making her England debut as a 17-year-old in 2009 and playing in her first World Cup in 2013 is a reflection of her complete commitment to the sport, which has involved doing so much to lead the development of Women’s Rugby League off the field, as well as all the success she has enjoyed with England and also St Helens – including their historic wins at Wembley in each of the last two seasons.
“This award has been dominated by players from the southern hemisphere and she’s among some great company with the strength of the shortlist this year – but that is definitely where she belongs.”
The women’s 2024 IRL Golden Boot winner will be judged by former internationals, and they are Australia’s Karyn Murphy, New Zealand’s Honey Hireme-Smiler and England’s Danika Priim.
The winners of the 2024 IRL Golden Boot awards will be announced in early December.
