Stuart Barrow congratulates Jodie Cunningham for inclusion in the shortlist for the 2024 IRL Women’s Golden Boot

England Women head coach Stuart Barrow has congratulated Jodie Cunningham for her inclusion on the shortlist for the 2024 International Rugby League Women’s Golden Boot.

The 32-year-old is the only player from the northern hemisphere on a shortlist of six which also includes three members of Australia’s Jillaroos, who won the Pacific Championships in Sydney last weekend, and one each from New Zealand and Samoa.

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.”

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.

2024 Women’s Golden Boot short list

• Tarryn Aiken (Australia)
• Annessa Biddle (New Zealand)
• Jodie Cunningham (England)
• Annetta-Claudia Nu'uausala (Samoa)
• Tiana Penitani (Australia)
• Tamika Upton (Australia)

Previous IRL Women’s Golden Boot Winners  

• 2018 Isabelle Kelly (Australia)
• 2019 Jess Sergis (Australia)
• 2020 No award given
• 2021 No award given
• 2022 Raecene McGregor (New Zealand)
• 2023 Georgia Hale (New Zealand)