Alumna Ellie Kildunne Takes Second Place at Sports Personality of the Year Awards

Sport and Exercise Science graduate from St Mary’s University, London Ellie Kildunne was named runner up at the BBC’s Sport Personality of the Year awards 2025.

Ellie was the first ever women’s rugby player to be nominated for Sports Personality of the Year, and was voted second place in the prestigious award after golfer Rory McIlroy.

Over the summer Ellie displayed a superb performance at the Women’s Rugby World Cup, in which she played a key role in securing England’s victory.

During the campaign, Ellie scored five tries including two tries during the semi-final against France and a solo try in the final against Canada.

Earlier this year, England also retained their Six Nations title with Ellie scoring four tries at the tournament.

England's Red Roses were also nominated for the BBC Sports Personality Team of the Year 2025, with alumnae Jess Breach, Rosie Galligan, and Abi Burton part of the winning squad alongside Ellie.

The winners of the BBC awards were voted for by the public during the live show, which took place on Thursday 18 December.

In 2024, Ellie was named World Rugby Player of the Year after another dazzling performance at the Six Nations, as well as competing for Team GB at the Paris 2024 Olympics in the women’s rugby sevens.

Head of Sports St Mary’s Andrew Reid-Smith said, “Ellie Kildunne’s runner-up finish in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year is a remarkable achievement and recognition of an exceptional year. Ellie is deservedly regarded as the most exciting rugby player in the world, and she is a Rugby World Cup winner, Honorary Doctor of Sport and proud St Mary’s alumna who continues to inspire on the global stage. The nomination of the Red Roses for Team of the Year is equally deserved and reflects the impact of a truly outstanding group who are elevating women’s sport."

Former St Mary's student and athlete Sir Mo Farah was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2017.

St Mary’s University has seen great success in elite rugby, with four alumnae playing alongside for the Red Roses at the Women’s World Cup this year. Ellie Kildunne, Jess Breach, Rosie Galligan, and Abi Burton were recently invited back to the University to receive Honorary Doctorates in Sport in recognition of their significant contributions to English Rugby.

Current Physiotherapy student Aoife Wafer reached the quarter-finals in this year’s Rugby World Cup with Ireland, having been named Women's Six Nations Player of the Championship for 2025.

At the Paris Olympics, former student and rugby scholar Aaron Grandidier won a Gold medal in the Men’s Rugby Sevens with France.