If you love rugby, the World Rugby Women's Player of the Year is the headline you keep an eye on every season. It’s the sport’s biggest individual honour for women, recognising the player who has dominated the field, inspired teammates and lifted the game’s profile. Whether you’re a seasoned fan or just starting out, knowing the basics of this award helps you follow the stories that shape women's rugby.
The award isn't handed out on a whim. First, a panel of former players, coaches and journalists watches every major international fixture – the Six Nations, the Rugby World Cup, the Women's Sevens Series – and scores performances. They shortlist about ten players, then a public vote decides the final winner. This mix of expert opinion and fan input makes the prize feel both credible and community‑driven.
Eligibility is simple: you must have played in an international match during the voting period, and your impact has to be measurable – think try‑scoring bursts, defensive turnovers, leadership moments or clutch play in a final. The process ensures every position gets a fair shot, not just the flashy backs.
Looking back, the list reads like a hall of fame for women's rugby. Players such as Portia Woodman, who combined blistering speed with a record‑breaking try tally, and Emily Scarratt, known for her power and consistency, set the benchmark. Each champion brought a unique flavour – Woodman’s aerial skill changed how teams defend, while Scarratt’s all‑round game made her a go‑to for crucial points.
More recently, the award has highlighted emerging stars from Pacific nations and the USA, showing the sport’s growing global reach. When a new face wins, it sparks interest in their home club and inspires the next generation of girls picking up a ball.
For South London Rugby Football Club fans, these winners are more than headlines. They give us a glimpse of the standards your local players aim for – the fitness level, the work ethic, the off‑field leadership. Seeing a World Rugby Women's Player of the Year in action can be a masterclass for anyone who trains on our pitches.
Want to stay on top of the award race? Follow the official World Rugby socials, join our club’s newsletter and keep an eye on the weekly match reports we post. When the shortlist drops, you’ll already know the stories behind each nominee – why a winger’s hat‑trick mattered, or how a forward’s line‑out steals turned a game around.
Finally, the award does more than celebrate individuals. It lifts women's rugby into the mainstream, attracts sponsors, and drives media coverage that benefits clubs of all sizes. By supporting the winner and the nominees, you’re also supporting the growth of the sport you love.
So the next time the World Rugby Women's Player of the Year is announced, you’ll understand the grind behind the glamour, the selection rigour and the ripple effect it creates across every grassroots pitch – including ours at South London Rugby Football Club.
Victoria‑born Sophie de Goede was named the 2025 World Rugby Women's Player of the Year after steering Canada to a historic World Cup silver. A captain, goal‑kicker, try‑scorer and breakdown powerhouse, she blends family pedigree with club success at Saracens. Her rise reshapes Canadian women’s rugby.
