2025 Golden Boot Nominations Announced by International Rugby League

England’s Jack Brown and Rob Hawkins are in contention to become the first Wheelchair players to win two IRL Golden Boots after being selected on a long list for the 2025 award.

Brown was the first recipient of the IRL Wheelchair Golden Boot in 2019, while Hawkins was the most recent winner in 2024. If he was to win back-to-back awards Hawkins would become the first player to do so in any discipline of the game since the Golden Boot was established in 1984.

Australian pair Bayley McKenna and Zac Schumacher were nominated for the 2025 Golden Boot after starring in the recent Wheelchair Ashes Series against England on the Gold Coast.

Bayley McKenna in Game 2 of the Ashes Test Series earned ‘Player of the Match’ with his performance.

England, the defending World Cup champions, retained the Ashes after coming from behind to win both matches of the series, triumphing 56-28 and 48-42 after a last-minute Joe Coyd try.

McKenna was named player-of-the-match in the second Ashes clash after scoring 22 points through two tries and seven conversions without miss. On the nomination McKenna said,

“To be named alongside such an elite group of players in an honour. I’m just out there to do what my team needs.”

Schumacher was Australia’s best in the Ashes series opener. The Townsville product scored three tries and landed four goals in the two matches. Schumacher reflected,

“It is an honour to represent Australia, and to be nominated for the Golden Boot is an achievement that wouldn’t be possible without my teammates, coaches and my family.”

Zac Schumacher had a standout performance in the Ashes opener against England

England’s Nathan Collins was player-of-the-match in the opening game, scoring two tries and having a hand in several others, while landing four conversions from six attempts.

Hawkins scored a hat-trick in the series opener and two tries in the second match to earn player-of-the series honours.

Brown also played a starring role for England in both matches, changing momentum in his impact role off the interchange bench.

Ireland have been recognised for their triumph in the Celtic Cup against Wales and Scotland, with the nominations of Joseph Calcott and Peter Johnston.

After winning the Celtic Cup in 2024, Ireland triumphed 66-10 against Wales and 92-20 against Scotland.

Calcott scored nine tries and landed five goals for a personal haul of 46 points in the tournament, while Johnston scored 40 points from four tries and 12 goals.

Ireland also beat Scotland 58-6 in October, with Johnston scoring another 24 points from four tries and four goals, while Calcott also crossed for a try.

The IRL Golden Boot is awarded to the best player in sanctioned rugby league international matches each year.

The Wheelchair 2025 IRL Golden Boot is chosen by a judging panel which comprises:

• Malcolm Kielty: A pioneer of Wheelchair Rugby League and one of the founders of the game.
• Martin Meredith OAM: Former Wheelchair Rugby League Australia Chair, ex-Manly Sea Eagles player and Halifax Challenge Cup winner.
• Niel Wood: IRL Wheelchair Rugby League Advisory Group (WRLAG) Chair
• David Butler: IRL Wheelchair Rugby League Advisory Group Secretary; long serving official, player and referee.
• Darren Gocher: NRL Wheelchair Chair, Family of League CEO.

The 2024 IRL Golden Boot winners were Hawkins, and Australia’s Isaah Yeo and Tarryn Aiken.

2025 IRL Golden Boot long list

• Jack Brown (England)
• Joseph Calcott (Ireland)
• Nathan Collins (England)
• Rob Hawkins (England)
• Peter Johnston (Ireland)
• Bayley McKenna (Australia)
• Zac Schumacher (Australia)

Previous winners

• 2019 Jack Brown (England)
• 2020-2021 No award
• 2022 Seb Bechara (England)
• 2023 Jeremy Bourson (France)
• 2024 Rob Hawkins (England)