Red Roses star Ellie Kildunne nominated for BBC Sports Personality of the Year
England's Ellie Kildunne
©©Lizzy Terry/TEZ.PHOTOG
Red Roses sensation and Women’s Rugby World Cup winner Ellie Kildunne has been shortlisted for the 2025 BBC Sports Personality of the Year award — making history in the process.
The 26-year-old becomes the first female rugby player ever nominated for the prestigious honour, and the first England rugby representative in the running since Jason Robinson and Jonny Wilkinson were recognised back in 2007.
Kildunne’s electric performances and vibrant off-field personality have made her one of the breakout stars of the year. Her now-iconic “lasso” celebration has sparked a surge of Red Roses fans donning cowgirl hats around stadiums, while her growing status as a role model even saw Barbie create a one-of-a-kind doll in her image to inspire young girls in sport.
Crowned World Player of the Year heading into 2025, the Harlequins back has been central to England’s dominant run. She marked her 50th cap with a hat-trick against Wales during the Red Roses’ seventh straight Guinness Women’s Six Nations title charge.
Then came a landmark summer on home soil. Kildunne crossed for a double in England’s World Cup opener against the USA and delivered two brilliant tries in a tense semi-final victory over France. She saved one of her best moments for last, scorching in for a superb score in the final against Canada as England claimed their first world title since 2014 in front of a record 81,885 fans at Allianz Stadium.
“It’s a great privilege to be shortlisted for BBC Sports Personality of the Year,” Kildunne said. “Winning the World Cup with your best mates is a feeling I can’t really describe. The support from the fans — the cowboy hats, the messages, the letters, the huge crowds — it’s why I love this sport. There’s an expectation now for us to keep pushing, and that excites me for what’s next for myself, the Red Roses and women’s rugby.”
This year’s Sports Personality of the Year show — hosted by Clare Balding, Gabby Logan and Alex Scott — will be broadcast live from BBC Sport’s MediaCity base in Salford on Thursday 18 December from 7–9pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
Fans can vote for Kildunne during the live programme at bbc.co.uk/spoty.
