Key Points
- Jake Connor sweeps the board: Scrum-half Jake Connor wins the three main honours, retaining the Rob Burrow player of the year trophy.
- Elite company: Connor becomes only the fourth man to retain the player of the year award in the summer era, following Iestyn Harris, Jamie Peacock, and Mikolaj Oledzki.
- Multiple accolades: Alongside the Rob Burrow trophy, Connor wins the supporters’ vote and the inaugural men’s Spirit of the Rhinos player of the year award.
- Women’s team winners: Ella Donnelly is named women’s player of the year by the coaching staff, while Connie Boyd receives the first women’s Spirit of the Rhinos award.
- Try of the year: Veteran winger Ryan Hall wins try of the year for his touchdown during the fixture in Las Vegas.
- Pathway and academy honours: Fergus McCormack claims young player of the year, Millie Sadler is named women’s under-19s player of the year, and Robin Smith wins men’s academy player of the year.
- Club person and department winners: First team analyst John Fletcher is named clubmate of the year.
- Disability team winners: Chris Young wins the physical disabilities award, Andrew Forth takes the Learning Disabilities Super League honour, and Cameron Hills wins the wheelchair team award.
- Departing personnel: Presentations are made during the evening to departing players and staff members.
Leeds Rhinos (The Leeds Times) September 8, 2026 — Scrum-half Jake Connor stole the headlines at the annual end-of-season ceremony by sweeping the board and claiming the three premier men’s accolades.The glittering ceremony at Headingley saw Jake Connor cement his status within the squad by retaining the prestigious Rob Burrow player of the year trophy. By securing the accolade for consecutive years, Connor joins an elite group, becoming only the fourth man in the summer era to achieve back-to-back victories after Iestyn Harris, Jamie Peacock, and Mikolaj Oledzki.
In addition to retaining the primary trophy, Connor dominated the evening by securing the supporters’ vote. Capping off a remarkable sweep, he was also awarded the inaugural men’s Spirit of the Rhinos title, which is determined by the players themselves as the players’ player of the year award.
Which women’s players and academy prospects were recognized?
Attention quickly turned to the wider club structure, where the women’s team and youth pathways celebrated standout campaigns. Ella Donnelly picked up the women’s player of the year prize, an accolade chosen directly by the coaching staff for her consistent performances throughout the season. Furthermore, the women’s side awarded its first-ever Spirit of the Rhinos accolade to Connie Boyd, acknowledging her vital contribution to team culture and morale.
Within the youth ranks, Fergus McCormack was named young player of the year for his rapid development in the first-team environment. Additional academy honours went to Millie Sadler, who claimed the women’s under-19s player of the year trophy, and Robin Smith, who collected the men’s academy player of the year award following standout campaigns in their respective age groups.
What other special awards and tries of the season were celebrated?
Veteran winger Ryan Hall added another memorable moment to his illustrious career when his spectacular touchdown during the club’s historic fixture in Las Vegas was voted try of the year by supporters.
Behind-the-scenes contributions were also highlighted during the evening. First team analyst John Fletcher received the coveted clubmate of the year award for his tireless efforts supporting the coaching staff and players.
The club also celebrated its inclusivity teams, handing out awards across the physical disability, learning disability, and wheelchair rugby league divisions.
Chris Young won the physical disabilities award, Andrew Forth claimed the Learning Disabilities Super League honour, and Cameron Hills was named wheelchair player of the year. The formal proceedings concluded with emotional presentations made to departing players and staff members who will leave the club ahead of the next campaign.
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Background
The annual Leeds Rhinos player of the year awards event serves as a central fixture in the club’s calendar, marking the conclusion of the domestic rugby league season. Held at Headingley Stadium, the tradition brings together players, coaching staff, academy prospects, disability squad representatives, and supporters to reflect upon the physical and tactical demands of the Super League campaign.
Over the years, the event has evolved to encompass the entire club structure, celebrating the women’s pathway, wheelchair rugby league, and community outreach programs alongside the elite men’s squad. The introduction of peer-voted accolades, such as the Spirit of the Rhinos, highlights an organizational shift toward emphasizing squad culture, resilience, and collective responsibility following demanding domestic and international fixtures.
Prediction
For supporters, club administrators, and aspiring academy players, this development sets a definitive benchmark for squad performance and cultural expectation heading into the upcoming pre-season. For the fans, seeing senior figures like Jake Connor and Ryan Hall honored alongside emerging talent reinforces confidence in the club’s competitive trajectory, reassuring the fanbase of ongoing stability and high performance standards.
For young prospects within the Rhinos system, the prominent recognition of players like Fergus McCormack, Millie Sadler, and Robin Smith serves as a direct incentive, proving that exceptional club form and dedication provide a clear pathway to senior recognition. Ultimately, acknowledging both elite performers and unsung backroom staff like John Fletcher fosters institutional unity, helping the club maintain continuity and squad morale as it transitions into the next competitive cycle.
