Warrington-born Cunningham misses out on major international award
JODIE Cunningham has just missed out on the biggest individual honour women’s rugby league can offer.
The former Cardinal Newman High School pupil had been shortlisted for International Rugby League’s women’s Golden Boot award for her performances as England captain throughout 2024.
The 32-year-old would have been the first English player to win the award but she and four others on the shortlist were beaten to it by Australian half-back Tarryn Aiken.
The Jillaroos playmaker becomes the first Australian to win the award since 2019 after the judging panel made up of Australia great Karyn Murphy, New Zealand dual-code star Honey Hireme-Smiler and former England international Danika Priim picked her as the winner.
"On behalf of the IRL Board I wish to congratulate Tarryn Aiken for adding the 2024 IRL Golden Boot to the collection of awards and accolades she has received this season,” IRL chair Troy Grant said.
"Tarryn has enjoyed a season which most players can only dream of, and she shone on the biggest stage at every level of the game, including internationally in the Pacific Cup.
"The standard of women's rugby league continues to rise at a rapid pace and players like Tarryn are showing the way for the talent emerging behind them.
"There were many other worthy performers at international level in 2024 and the IRL Board is grateful to have judges with the standing of Karyn Murphy, Honey Hireme-Smiler and Danika Priim to decide the Golden Boot winner."
Cunningham had made the six-woman shortlist alongside Aiken, Australia duo Tamika Upton and Tiani Penitani, Samoa captain Annetta-Claudia Nu’uausala and New Zealand second-rower Annessa Biddle.