Four England Wheelchair Players Nominated for the 2024 IRL Golden Boot

England Wheelchair head coach Tom Coyd has congratulated four of his players for their inclusion on International Rugby League’s long list of contenders to be crowned the fourth winner of the Wheelchair Golden Boot.

Josh Butler is in contention to add the 2024 IRL Golden Boot to his Wheels of Steel award after being among 14 players nominated by leading figures in Wheelchair Rugby League and members of the international media for the prestigious award.

Butler, who was last month named the 2024 Super League Wheelchair player of the year, is vying for the Golden Boot with England team-mates Nathan Collins, Joe Coyd and Rob Hawkins, as well as players from Australia, France, Ireland, Scotland, Spain and Wales.

England have had two of the previous three winners of the award – Jack Brown in 2020, and Sebastien Bechara in 2022 – with Jeremy Bourson becoming the first French winner last year.

Tom Coyd said: “It’s great to hear of this recognition for Josh, Nathan, Joe and Rob, who have all made major contributions in the three internationals we’ve played in the last few weeks.

“Rob scored four tries in the first half of our win against France in Wigan, and he and Nathan Collins both punched well above their weight in the rematch in Saint-Lo at the weekend, showing cool heads and producing multiple game-changing moments.

“Josh showed the form that earned him Wheels of Steel for his domestic performances, with a relentless grit with and without the ball.

“And as our most-capped international, Joe really showed those qualities in the game against Spain, playing a part in establishing our early lead, and then in making the game safe when he returned late on.

“I think the whole long list is a reflection of the development of Wheelchair Rugby League, and congratulate everyone selected.”

IRL Chair Troy Grant said: “Wheelchair Rugby League is continuing to go from strength to strength and that is reflected in the field of players under consideration for the 2024 IRL Golden Boot.

“The finale last weekend between France and England the French was a clash that revived memories of the epic 2021 World Cup final in Manchester.

“On behalf of the IRL Board, I congratulate the players nominated for the 2024 IRL Golden Boot and all those whose efforts have helped expand the wheelchair game across the globe.”

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

The Wheelchair 2024 IRL Golden Boot is chosen by a judging panel which includes 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 and Martin Coyd, who is another driving force in the game’s development.

The winners of the 2024 IRL Golden Boot awards will be announced in December.

 
2024 Wheelchair Golden Boot long list

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)

Previous winners:

Wheelchair: 2019 Jack Brown (England), 2020 No award given, 2021 No award given, 2022 Sebastien Bechara (England), 2023 Jeremy Bourson (France)

France v England Wheelchair's most recent contest, which took place in Saint-Lo last weekend, is now available to watch in full on SuperLeague+, alongside the 2024 Betfred Super League Wheelchair Grand Final.