Ellie Kildunne: Biography, Awards, ADHD, Relationships

There’s a certain thrill in watching a player who seems to redefine what’s possible in women’s rugby. Ellie Kildunne, the 25-year-old fullback from Keighley, has done exactly that — from chasing a ball at age 5 to being crowned World Rugby’s Women’s Player of the Year in 2024.

Age: 25 (born 8 September 1999) ·
Height: 175 cm (5 ft 9 in) ·
Position: Fullback ·
World Player of the Year: 2024 ·
Current Club: Harlequins Women ·
National Team: England Red Roses

Nine key data points, one pattern: Ellie Kildunne’s professional profile is remarkably consistent across official sources, though minor discrepancies in height exist between governing bodies.

Is Ellie Kildunne Irish?

A common question, given her surname’s Irish associations. The answer is straightforward: she is English, born and raised in Yorkshire.

Birthplace and Parents

• Ellie Kildunne was born in Keighley, West Yorkshire, England (Rugby World Cup Official).
• Her parents are not named in any major public records; the family has remained private.
• She holds no known Irish citizenship or heritage in available sources.

Age and Early Rugby

• Born 8 September 1999, making her 25 as of 2025 (Famous Birthdays).
• Started playing rugby at age 5 with Keighley RUFC (Canterbury Official).
• Also played rugby league for West Park Leeds and Castleford before switching to union (Canterbury Official).

The implication: any “Irish” speculation stems from her surname only, not from her background.

Does Ellie Kildunne have ADHD?

Yes — she has discussed it publicly, though details remain limited to her own statements.

Public Statements About ADHD

• In interviews she mentioned having ADHD, saying: “I did it for a greater understanding of myself” (The Rugby Paper (via therpa.co.uk)).
• She has not provided a formal medical document or diagnosis in the public domain.
• The revelation has been seen as a way to help young athletes with similar experiences.

What this means: her disclosure is credible and consistent, but absent an official medical confirmation, it remains categorized as self-reported.

Is Ellie Kildunne in a relationship?

This is one of the most searched questions about her — and the answer is not publicly known.

Current Relationship Status

• No partner is mentioned on her Instagram (@elliekildunne) or in interviews (Ellie Kildunne Instagram).
• She has never been married, and no engagement has been announced.
• Rumors about a “new girlfriend” circulate online but lack any verifiable source.

Marriage Rumors

• No marriage records or public ceremonies exist; she has not referred to a spouse.
• Speculation appears to be fan-generated with zero evidence.

The pattern: Ellie Kildunne keeps her personal life strictly off the record, and the absence of information is itself the story.

What is Ellie Kildunne’s new club?

Despite search queries suggesting a transfer, she remains with Harlequins Women as of 2025.

Club Career at Harlequins

• She joined Harlequins Women ahead of the 2021/22 season and has made 61 appearances (Harlequins FC Official).
• Earlier club moves: Gloucester-Hartpury (2017–2021) (Canterbury Official).
• No official announcement of a transfer away from Harlequins exists.

International Career with England

• Debuted for England in 2017 at age 17 (Canterbury Official).
• Key player in the Red Roses’ Grand Slam victories and World Cup campaigns.

The catch: searches for “new club” likely reflect outdated interest in her 2021 move from Gloucester-Hartpury to Harlequins, not a recent change.

What awards has Ellie Kildunne won?

Her trophy cabinet is growing fast, headlined by the sport’s highest individual honor.

World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year 2024

• Won the prestigious award in 2024 (Famous Birthdays).
• Also named in World Rugby’s Dream Team for the same year.

World Champion 2025

• Part of the England squad that won the World Rugby World Cup (WXV) in 2025 (YouTube (Extraordinary Life Stories)).

BBC SPOTY Runner-up 2025

• Finished second in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award in 2025 (YouTube (Extraordinary Life Stories)).
• Won Six Nations Grand Slam with England multiple times.

Why this matters: she is the first English women’s rugby player to earn both World Player of the Year and a SPOTY podium finish, signaling the sport’s growing mainstream profile.

Timeline

• 8 September 1999 – Born in Keighley, England
• 2017 – First senior cap for England
• 2021 – Olympic qualification with Team GB
• 2024 – Named World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year
• 2025 – World Champion; BBC SPOTY runner-up

“I did it for a greater understanding of myself.”

Ellie Kildunne, speaking about her ADHD disclosure (The Rugby Paper)

“Ellie Kildunne is our Women’s Player of the Year 2024 — her performances have been outstanding.”

World Rugby (Famous Birthdays)

Ellie Kildunne’s rise from Yorkshire junior rugby to global stardom is a story of raw talent and relentless drive. For the English rugby establishment, the challenge is clear: keep building a system that produces more players like her, or risk seeing the next Kildunne bloom elsewhere.

Her remarkable 2024 season, which earned her World Player of the Year, also saw her finish second in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2025 voting.

Frequently asked questions