LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
In a historic moment for Rugby League, James Fisher-Harris, Georgia Hale, and Jérémy Bourson have etched their names in Golden Boot history.
As reported by penrithpanthers.com.au, Fisher-Harris, a powerhouse prop, has become the first player in the sport's history to win the prestigious award since its inception in 1984.
This adds to an already impressive list of accolades for Fisher-Harris, who recently led the New Zealand Kiwis to a stunning 30-0 victory over the Kangaroos in the Pacific Cup.
He also secured his third consecutive NRL premiership ring with the Penrith Panthers.
The presentation of the 2023 IRL Golden Boot took place in Sydney, with none other than former Kangaroos captain Brad Fittler, who himself won the award back in 2000, doing the honors.
While Fisher-Harris basks in his moment of glory, the women's award goes to Georgia Hale, an exceptional forward in the game.
Hale's triumph makes her the first forward to claim the prestigious women's award.
Joining them is Jérémy Bourson, who represents France and becomes the first Golden Boot recipient from his country across any discipline of the game.
However, due to their commitments in the Northern Hemisphere, both Hale and Bourson were unable to attend the ceremony.
The IRL Golden Boot is a highly regarded recognition, presented annually to the best player in sanctioned rugby league international matches.
It's not an easy feat to win such an honor, and Fisher-Harris's selection came after careful deliberation by a distinguished panel of Golden Cap recipients.
These legendary players, including Adam Blair, James Graham, Darren Lockyer, Adrian Morley, and Ruben Wiki, boast an impressive resume of more than 50 international appearances for their respective countries.
Fisher-Harris is undoubtedly in elite company with this latest achievement, solidifying his status as one of the greats of the game.