England wing Rob Hawkins has won the coveted IRL Golden Boot Award after being voted the 2025 International Wheelchair Player of the Year.
Hawkins won the prestigious award for the second time in a row after starring for England in their recent two match Ashes series against Australia.
The 23-year-old scored 5 tries and 5 conversions to help seal an England 2-0 Ashes win over the Wheelaroos on Australian soil, setting up preparations for the prospect of retaining the World Cup trophy in 2026.
The 2025 IRL Golden Boot caps a stunning season for Hawkins in which he was named in the Wheelchair Super League Dream Team and helped Halifax Panthers to Challenge Cup and Grand Final victories.
The award was judged by an esteemed panel comprising of Malcolm Kielty, a founder of the game, IRL Wheelchair Rugby League Advisory Group Chair Niel Wood, long serving player, coach, referee and administrator David Butler, NRL Wheelchair Chair Darren Gocher and former Wheelchair Rugby League Australia Chair Martin Meredith.
England coach Tom Coyd MBE 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 and has since matured into a very impressive player who is an integral part of the international setup.
“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 has had an outstanding season for both club and country, so this award is thoroughly deserved and I’m looking forward to seeing him progress as we head into a World Cup year in 2026.”
“He is a wonderful ambassador for our team, his community and the sport of Wheelchair Rugby League.”
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 England to a gripping victory over France in the RLWC2021 final at Manchester Central.
IRL Chair Troy Grant said: “On behalf of the International Rugby League Board, I wish to congratulate Rob Hawkins for his outstanding performances at international level in 2025.
“Rob is another rugby league player who knows how to produce the big moments when they matter, and he was sensational for England in a closely fought Ashes Series against the Wheelaroos.
“In the end, it was the experience of the world champions and the skill, speed and ability of players like Rob that proved the difference, but Australia showed they will be a force to reckon with at RLWC26.
“Rob scored five tries in two matches to help secure his second consecutive Golden Boot – a feat that had never previously been done in the 41 years since the legendary Wally Lewis was crowned the inaugural winner in 1984.
“At just 23-years-of-age, Rob could soon be challenging Johnathan Thurston’s record of three Golden Boot awards as he has already joined Andrew Johns, Darren Lockyer and Cameron Smith as dual Golden Boot winners.”
The IRL Golden Boot is awarded to the best player in sanctioned rugby league international matches each year.
The 2025 IRL Golden Boot finalists were:
Men
Dylan Brown (New Zealand), Harry Grant (Australia), Payne Haas (Samoa), Cameron Munster (Australia), Joseph Tapine (New Zealand).
Women
Yasmin Clydsdale (Australia), Chantay Kiria-Ratu (Cook Islands), Apii Nicholls (New Zealand), Julia Robinson (Australia), Tamika Upton (Australia).
Wheelchair
Jack Brown (England), Joseph Calcott (Ireland), Nathan Collins (England), Rob Hawkins (England), Bayley McKenna (Australia), Zac Schumacher (Australia).
