Wigan Warriors named BBC SPOTY Team of the Year
Wigan Warriors have been named Team of the Year at the 2024 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards.
The prestigious prize, which was first inaugurated in 1960, recognises the team deemed ‘to have achieved the most notable performance(s) in the calendar year to date’ and is decided on by an expert panel.
The Warriors were deemed to have met that criteria across the course of a history-making campaign culminating in the Club’s Grand Slam winning season. It is the second time Wigan Warriors have received the accolade, having won the same award 30-years ago back in 1994.
After winning the Betfred Super League Grand Final in 2023, the Warriors set up a colossal tie against NRL Premiers Penrith Panthers at the DW Stadium (Now The Brick Community Stadium) where they added a fifth World Club title, winning 16-12 in a dramatic sell-out tie.
With one trophy secured in 2024, Wigan then went on to win the Betfred Challenge Cup in June 2024 at London’s Wembley Stadium. After beating Sheffield Eagles in the Sixth Round, Wigan then travelled to Castleford Tigers in the Quarter-Finals where they ran out winners.
Victory over Hull KR in the Semi Final at Doncaster set up a Challenge Cup Final meeting with Warrington Wolves where Matt Peet’s side were 18-8 winners over Warrington Wolves.
A loss at AMT Headingley Stadium proved to be Wigan’s final defeat of the season as Peet’s side won their final six matches of the regular season – including a professional win over St Helens at Magic Weekend and a thrilling Round 25 victory against Hull KR – to lift the League Leaders’ Shield at The Brick Community Stadium in September 2024.
A 38-0 Play-Off Semi Final win over locals Leigh Leopards saw Wigan in back-to-back visits to Old Trafford for the Betfred Super League Grand Final. A hard-fought encounter came down to a moment of brilliance from French who broke through the Hull KR defence to dive over in front of the Wigan supporters in the Stretford End. Keighran and Harry Smith added kicking points in the win, as the Warriors accomplished a historic achievement inside the Theatre of Dreams with the 9-2 victory.
Matt Peet’s side added their name to an exclusive list of four teams in the 129-year history of rugby league to win the four major trophies on offer in one season: Hunslet (1907-08), Huddersfield (1914-15), Swinton (1927-28) and Wigan (1994-95).
Wigan Warriors Chief Executive, Kris Radlinski said: “Winning the prestigious BBC Sports Personality Team of the Year is a tremendous achievement for our club and the perfect way to cap off a memorable 2024.
“We humbly accept this award on behalf of the great sport of Rugby League and the communities of Wigan, whom we are so proud to represent.”
