Wigan Warriors crowned as BBC Sports Personality Team of the Year

Wigan Warriors capped their incredible 2024 campaign by being named as the BBC Sports Personality Team of the Year.

The victory marked just the third-ever time that a rugby league side had taken the award with Matt Peet’s side following in the footsteps of the 1994 Wigan Warriors side and the 2006 St Helens team.

Of course, Wigan claimed every trophy that was available to them in 2024 as they won the quadruple – becoming the first-ever side to do so during the Super League era.

Their epic trophy run actually dates back to last September when they won the League Leaders Shield and then the Grand Final, taking their winning streak to six pieces of silverware.

However, their recognition at the historic Sports Personality of the Year awards clearly focused on the year of 2024 which they kicked off in February with a World Club Challenge win.

Wigan invited Penrith into their own backyard and defeated the NRL champions 16-12. In June, they’d beat Warrington Wolves 18-8 at Wembley in the Challenge Cup Final before carrying their league form on to be crowned League Leaders Shield winners come the end of the regular season.

They then won at Old Trafford once again, keeping their opponents to just two points for the second year in a row as tey defeated Hull KR 9-2 to cap off an incredible year.

Wigan Warriors crowned as BBC Sports Personality Team of the Year

“We look at how we can help our supporters and communities, rather than what we can take from them” 👏@WiganWarriorsRL‘s head coach Matt Peet on a key strength of rugby league 🏉#SPOTY pic.twitter.com/pxu9l2PEet

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 17, 2024

Attending the event, which saw Leigh’s Keely Hodgkinson claim the showpiece award, were head coach Matt Peet, captain Liam Farrell and players Harry Smith and Liam Marshall.

After being presented the award by Wigan Warriors legend Martin Offiah, Matt Peet spoke with humility once again – a trait that rugby league fans have come to expect.

“Firstly, it’s a great honour to receive this award,” Peet said.

“Wigan have got a history with this trophy and its success which Martin (Offiah) has been a part of. The club is in good shape at the moment, we’re very alike and very connected.

“That starts at the top with Kris (Radlinski) the CEO and we’ve got great ambition and want success, but I think first and foremost we look after one another.

“We try to represent the town the best we can and I think in our sport that’s our strength. We look at how we can help out supporters and communities rather than just what we can take from them, so it’s a great honour and a privilege to work with these guys at the club. Thank you.”

Peet was among the shortlist for the Coach of the Year but missed out to Keely Hodgkinson’s trainers Jenny Meadows and Trevor Painter with Painter giving a nod to Peet in his acceptance speech.