Ellie Kildunne, the trailblazing full-back for England's Red Roses, has broken new ground once again with a historic nomination for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award. This recognition arrives on the back of England's triumphant 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup victory, a win that Kildunne was instrumental in securing on home soil.
A Historic Nomination for the Women's Game
The 26-year-old's inclusion on the six-person shortlist marks a significant first. Kildunne is the first female rugby player ever to be nominated for the prestigious BBC award. Furthermore, she is the first English rugby star of any gender to be in contention since the legendary duo of Jonny Wilkinson and Jason Robinson back in 2007. At a time when rugby union faces stiff competition for public attention, Kildunne's presence provides a vital and timely boost for the 15-a-side format.
"To be the first female rugby player ever to be nominated is a huge honour," Kildunne stated. She reflected on the scepticism that has often surrounded women's rugby, adding, "We've been told no-one's going to watch women's rugby and no-one's bothered, so to be able to say I've been nominated for something as big as Sports Personality is something I'm hugely proud of."
Riding a Wave of Success for Women's Sport
Kildunne's nomination is part of a broader story of exceptional growth for women's sport in England during 2025. The shortlist also features Lionesses Chloe Kelly and Hannah Hampton, who helped England's footballers retain their European Championship crown in a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Spain in July.
This sporting excellence is mirrored in the team awards, where both the Lionesses and the Red Roses are nominated for Team of the Year, alongside golf's triumphant Team Europe. Kildunne's World Cup final, where England defeated Canada, was a landmark event in its own right, played in front of a record crowd of 81,885 at Twickenham and attracting a television audience of 5.8 million on the BBC.
The Future Trajectory of Women's Rugby
Since lifting the World Cup, Kildunne's profile has skyrocketed, leading to a series of sponsorship deals. She now hopes her SPOTY platform can help drive the women's game to unprecedented popularity. "It (women's rugby) is on a trajectory I can't really keep up with and can't imagine where it's going to go," she said.
"The visibility and accessibility women's rugby has now got is way higher than we could have ever thought. I just hope it keeps on this trajectory." While golf superstar Rory McIlroy is the bookmakers' favourite to win the public-voted award after his Masters and Ryder Cup heroics, Kildunne's very nomination is already a victory for her sport. She faces competition from McIlroy, Formula One world champion Lando Norris, darts sensation Luke Littler, and footballers Kelly and Hampton.
Ultimately, Kildunne's story is one of breaking barriers. As the pre-eminent face of women's rugby in England, her journey from World Cup winner to SPOTY nominee underscores a transformative period where the achievements of female athletes are finally receiving the mainstream acclaim they deserve.
