IRL Golden Boot Award
International rugby league award
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The IRL Golden Boot Award (previously Open Rugby Golden Boot Award and Rugby League World Golden Boot Award)[1] is an annual rugby league award, presented by the International Rugby League (IRL), awarded to the best player of the calendar year. There are categories for men's, women's, and wheelchair players.
The IRL purchased the rights to the award from League Publications Ltd. in 2017, who in turn purchased it from its original awarders Open Rugby in 1998 who started the award in 1984.[1]
Upon purchase IRL introduced a women's category starting in 2018,[2] with the wheelchair category coming a year later.
History
The award was founded in early 1985 by the British magazine Open Rugby. It was first awarded to Wally Lewis for his performances throughout 1984.
No award was made between 1990 and 1998 due to organisational difficulties.
League Publications Ltd bought the rights to the award in 1999 and began awarding the Golden Boot on the same year it was assessed.
Andrew Johns collected the award in 1999 and again in 2001, becoming the first player to win it twice. Darren Lockyer repeated that feat, winning in 2003 and 2006 becoming the first player to win twice while playing in different positions.
In 2011, Rugby League World magazine began to award retrospective Golden Boots to fill in "the missing years" of 1990 to 1998, starting with Garry Schofield who was adjudged to have won the 1990 Golden Boot.
No further Golden Boots were retrospectively awarded as sponsors Adidas withdrew their backing.
The International Rugby League purchased the rights to award the Golden Boot in 2017.[1]
Winners - Men
By nationality
| Wins | Nationality |
|---|---|
| 21 |  Australia |
| 7 |  New Zealand |
| 5 |  England |
By position
| Wins | Position |
|---|---|
| 9 | Five-eighth/Stand-off |
| 8 | Halfback/Scrum-half |
| 5 | Fullback |
| 3 | Hooker |
| 2 | Centre |
| Lock/Loose forward | |
| 1 | Prop |
| Second-row | |
| Wing |
By club
NOTE: Clubs shared the award in 1984, 1985 and 1988
| Wins | Club | Years |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Melbourne Storm | 2007, 2008, 2009, 2016, 2017, 2025 |
| 4 | Sydney Roosters | 1987, 2000, 2005, 2022 |
| 3 | New Zealand Warriors | 2002, 2014, 2019 |
| North Queensland Cowboys | 2011, 2013, 2015 | |
| Wigan Warriors | 1985, 1988, 2004 | |
| 2 | Balmain Tigers | 1986, 1988 |
| Brisbane Broncos | 2003, 2006 | |
| Leeds Rhinos | 1990, 2012 | |
| Newcastle Knights | 1999, 2001 | |
| Parramatta Eels | 1985, 1987 | |
| Penrith Panthers | 2023, 2024 | |
| 1 | Canberra Raiders | 1989 |
| St Helens | 2018 | |
| Wakefield Trinity | 1984 | |
| Wests Tigers | 2010 | |
| Wynnum Manly Seagulls | 1984 | |
Multiple winners
| Number | Player | Years | Nationality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Johnathan Thurston | 2011, 2013, 2015 | Australia |
| 2 | Andrew Johns | 1999, 2001 | Australia |
| Darren Lockyer | 2003, 2006 | Australia | |
| Cameron Smith | 2007, 2017 | Australia |
Winners - Women
| Year | Nat. | Player | Club(s) | Position | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | | Isabelle Kelly | Sydney Roosters | Centre | [3] |
| 2019 | | Jessica Sergis | St. George Illawarra Dragons | Centre | [4][5] |
| 2020–21 | No award given due to the COVID-19 pandemic | ||||
| 2022 | | Raecene McGregor | Sydney Roosters | Halfback | [6] |
| 2023 | | Georgia Hale | Gold Coast Titans | Lock | [7][8] |
| 2024 | | Tarryn Aiken | Sydney Roosters | Five-eighth | [12] |
| 2025 | | Julia Robinson | Brisbane Broncos | Wing, Centre | [11] |
| Additional references:[1][9] | |||||
By nationality
| Wins | Nationality |
|---|---|
| 4 | Australia |
| 2 | New Zealand |
By position
| Wins | Position |
|---|---|
| 2 | Centre |
| 1 | Halfback |
| Lock | |
| Five-eighth | |
| Wing |
By club
| Wins | Club | Years |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Sydney Roosters | 2018, 2022, 2024 |
| 1 | Gold Coast Titans | 2023 |
| St. George Illawarra Dragons | 2019 | |
| Brisbane Broncos | 2025 |
Winners - Wheelchair
| Year | Nat. | Player | Club(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | | Jack Brown | Halifax | [4][5] |
| 2020–21 | No award given due to the COVID-19 pandemic | |||
| 2022 | | Seb Bechara | Catalans Dragons | [6] |
| 2023 |  | Jérémy Bourson | Catalans Dragons | [7][8] |
| 2024 | | Rob Hawkins | Halifax | [13] |
| 2025 | | Rob Hawkins | Halifax | [11] |
| Additional references:[1][9] | ||||
By nationality
By club
| Wins | Club | Years |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Halifax | 2019, 2024, 2025 |
| 2 | Catalans Dragons | 2022, 2023 |