Hawkins wins wheelchair 2024 IRL Golden Boot

England wing Rob Hawkins has become one of the youngest players to win the IRL Golden Boot after being voted the 2024 International Rugby League Wheelchair Player of the Year.

Hawkins won the prestigious award after starring for England in their recent two match series against arch-rivals France for the Fassolette-Kielty Trophy.

The 22-year-old scored four tries to lead England to a 66-33 victory in the opening match at Wigan and a further two tries in the return clash in Saint Lo - a bruising encounter won 32-28 by France that drew comparisons with the epic World Cup final between the two nations in 2022.

The 2024 IRL Golden Boot caps a stunning season for Hawkins in which he was named in the inaugural wheelchair Super League Dream Team, won the Super League Young Player of the Year award for the second time and helped Halifax Panthers to the grand final.

He edged out French star Nicolas Clausells and England team-mates Josh Butler and Nathan Collins to win the 2024 IRL Golden Boot.

The award was judged by an esteemed panel comprising of Malcolm Kielty, one of the founders of Wheelchair Rugby League, renowned journalist, author and publisher Phil Caplan, IRL Wheelchair Rugby League Advisory Group Chair Niel Wood, French coach Cyril Torres and England manager Martin Coyd, who is another driving force in the game’s development.

Hawkins is the youngest player to win the Wheelchair Golden Boot and the youngest Golden Boot recipient after Greg Inglis (2009) and women’s winners Isabelle Kelly (2018) and Jessica Sergis (2019).

IRL Chair Troy Grant said: “On behalf of the International Rugby League board, I congratulate Rob Hawkins on becoming just the fourth player to win the Wheelchair IRL Golden Boot and one of the youngest in the 40-year history of the award.

“Rob is an example of the young talent emerging in Wheelchair Rugby League as the profile of the sport grows, particularly in England on the back of the success of the last World Cup in 2022.

“The recent series between England and France again showcased the physicality and skill of Wheelchair Rugby League at its best.

“With the first international Wheelchair matches being played in New Zealand and the United States this year, the sport is also developing across the globe as we look ahead to the next World Cup in 2026 in Australia and Papua New Guinea.

“I would also like to thank the voting panel, who include some of those responsible for developing Wheelchair Rugby League and others who are equally passionate about the inclusivity of the greatest game for all.”

Hawkins began playing Wheelchair Rugby League in 2014 after being bedridden for 18 months with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

He won the Super League Young Player of the Year award in 2019 and debuted for England in the same year.

A regular member of the England squad since, Hawkins helped the World Cup hosts to a gripping victory over France in the RLWC2021 final at Manchester Central.

England coach Tom Coyd said: “Rob Hawkins is one of the most dedicated players I have ever worked with. To be once bed-ridden for 18 months and to get where he has now is so inspirational.

“Rob made his England debut in the 2019 Tri-Nations, alongside fellow debutants Lewis King and Josh Butler, as well as established young players Tom Halliwell and Nathan Collins. He came into the team an excited but quite shy 18-year-old but since then, he’s has matured into a very impressive man. 

“On the pitch his frightening speed makes him a prolific finisher and try-saver, but he also loves to protect his teammates and will never back down from a challenge – that’s what I love the most about Rob as a player.

“He is a wonderful ambassador for our team, his community and the sport of Wheelchair Rugby League.”

The Wheelchair Golden Boot was introduced in 2019, with Hawkins’ England team-mate Jack Brown being the inaugural winner.

Due to COVID the award was not presented again until 2022, with another England star Seb Bechara winning the Golden Boot.

France’s Jeremy Bourson, who plays alongside Hawkins for Halifax, was the 2023 Golden Boot winner.

2024 IRL Golden Boot long list - Wheelchair

• Josh Butler (England)
• Joseph Calcott (Ireland)
• Nicolas Clausells (France)
• Nathan Collins (England)
• Joe Coyd (England)
• Callum Davidson (Scotland)
• Damien Dore (France)
• Rob Hawkins (England)
• Peter Johnston (Ireland)
• Leo Hivernat (France)
• Yannick Martin (Spain)
• Bayley McKenna (Australia)
• Zac Schumacher (Australia)
• Scott Trigg-Turner (Wales)

IRL Golden Boot winners - Wheelchair

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