Rob Hawkins on winning the Golden Boot Award: It’s a massive achievement

Yesterday’s announcement saw 22-year-old Rob Hawkins become one of the youngest players to win the IRL Golden Boot after being voted the 2024 International Wheelchair Player of the Year.

“It still feels surreal at the minute, and really surprising,” admitted Hawkins, who starred for England in their recent two match series against arch-rivals France for the Fassolette-Kielty Trophy.

“I think the competition I was up against – I knew it was going to be a difficult decision, but to be able to say that I’ve been able to win the Golden Boot, especially at the age of 22, is amazing.

“It’s an amazing feeling and I’ll always put it down to people who have been in my corner from the start – my family, my partner and my teammates who have been with me since ‘Day One’ and since I first came into the England squad.

“They’ve helped me a lot to improve and play the position I’m in at the minute.”

Hawkins edged out French star Nicolas Clausells and England team-mates Josh Butler and Nathan Collins to win the coveted 2024 Golden Boot Award, and explained how the news had come as a total shock:

“I didn’t expect it,” said Hawkins. “I hold a high confidence and standard for myself, but I’ve always got that doubt in my head on whether this is going to be my year or not.

“The list of names had so many amazing athletes on it – even if I had just been given the nomination – I would have still been extremely proud to be named as one of the best players this year.

“It’s a massive achievement.”

Young Hawkins has enjoyed a sensational season – a Betfred Wheelchair Super League Grand Finalist with Halifax Panthers, as well as scooping up an array of individual accolades such as earning a place in the inaugural Wheelchair Super League Dream Team, winning the Wheelchair Super League Young Player of the Year award for the second time and playing for England - before being topped off with the awarding of the Golden Boot.

“It all merges into one, and everything has put me into the position that I am at the moment. Making the Grand Final against Leeds [Rhinos]; although it wasn’t our day, is still one of my massive achievements.

“And to make the first Wheelchair Dream Team – that was another amazing attribute. It’s all about breaking down those barriers and seeing what else I can achieve in my career.

“I just take everything as it comes, as we all know a Rugby League player’s career can be over in seconds – one minute you’re playing a top level and then the next you’re retiring for whatever reason.

“I take everything one bit at a time so that I’m enjoying the time and all of the moments that I have.”

Looking ahead to next season and beyond, Hawkins is hoping for another big year, as Wheelchair Rugby League excitingly continues to grow:

“I’ve still got goals in my mind where I want to be participating at top level of Super League and internationally, but I’m still young and I want to get as many trophies including as many World Cups as I can.

“That’s a massive aim for me, I want to keep on improving, and hopefully I can bring more trophies back to this country.

“It’s amazing how big Wheelchair Rugby League is becoming. We’re getting great media coverage and it’s an amazing growth for the game and it shows where we can go and what the potential can be for our sport.”

On England’s recent internationals against France, Hawkins couldn’t be prouder of their reception:

“It was a positive experience. We did lose to France over in their home ground, but we still put up a fight.

“And if we look at Wigan, we played in front of a full sold-out arena which is incredible, and we had so many people coming to support us and cheer our names.

“That was really uplifting for us as a team – that we can make such an impact where people think ‘I haven’t seen this before and I want to see more of this.’

“I’ve seen messages on social media from people who have commented on the game’s intensity and didn’t think they’d enjoy watching it but turns out they actually became engrossed for the full 80 minutes and lost track of time.”

“We’re still improving but the England v France experience as a whole was really positive and I’m really excited to see what’s next for us.”

On overcoming adversity, Hawkins, who began playing Wheelchair Rugby League in 2014 after being bedridden for 18 months with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, is now the best in the world:

“From my diagnosis, I’ve had to deal with adversity. Looking back now, it was a difficult experience, and I suffered through some very dark times. Having people doubt me, really put me down, but it’s really changed my character now.

“Nowadays, if anyone has any doubts, I welcome them. I will never stop working until I get what I want to achieve."