England star Ellie Kildunne learns Sports Personality of the Year fate
Ellie Kildunne at the 2025 BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards
Red Roses star Ellie Kildunne scooped the runner-up award at the 2025 BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards.
The Harlequins and England full-back, who took a starring role during her side’s 2025 World Cup triumph back in September, beat out Lionesses duo Chloe Kelly and Hannah Hampton, Formula 1 world champion Lando Norris and Darts sensation Luke Littler to the runner-up award, with Golf star Rory McIlroy later taking home the big gong.
Ellie Kildunne scoops runner-up gong
Kildunne became the first English women’s player to be nominated for the award when she was named on the six-strong shortlist last weekend, while also being the first rugby player of any kind to feature since Jonny Wilkinson and Jason Robinson in 2007.
Speaking at the awards show, she said: “I think the impact that the whole team and the whole World Cup has had, not just on women’s rugby but women’s sport, has been more than we could have imagined. It’s something you dream of but never see yourself in that position.
“I want to thank everyone who came to the World Cup and made it so special,” Kildunne continued. “It’s one that will go down in history and lead the way.”
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Her nomination comes off the back of a monumental year, both on and off the pitch. On it, Kildunne played a key part in the Red Roses’ World Cup success, scoring five tries in four outings, alongside two further assists; while continuing her form in the PWR with four tries for Quins at the time of writing.
Off the pitch, she also became one of the faces of the World Cup, and later had a Barbie doll made in her likeness.
Kildunne’s nomination also followed the Red Roses squad being included in the three-entry shortlist for Team of the Year; however, they lost out to Team Europe following their Ryder Cup success.
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