Amelia 'Milly' Whitaker crowned Waratahs' Player of the Year

Amelia 'Milly' Whitaker's outstanding 2026 season has been recognised with the NSW Waratahs' highest individual honour, named Women's Player of the Year at the club's annual season awards after playing a pivotal role in another championship-winning campaign.

The award caps a breakout Super W season for the UNSW/NSW Rugby Scholar, who also claimed the Best Back award after establishing herself as one of the competition's most dangerous outside backs. Across the campaign, Whitaker consistently provided attacking spark for the Waratahs, combining speed, sharp support play and clinical finishing to become one of New South Wales' most influential players.

Just five days after collecting the club's top individual honours, Whitaker delivered again on the biggest stage.

Travelling to Fiji for the 2026 Super W Grand Final, the Waratahs defeated the Fijian Drua 34-17 to secure a record seventh Super W premiership. Whitaker produced one of the defining performances of the decider, scoring two tries as New South Wales overcame a hostile away environment to once again lift the championship trophy.

Her first try came from excellent support play before her second helped put the result beyond doubt, capping an outstanding individual performance in one of the biggest matches of the season. It was a fitting conclusion to a campaign in which she consistently delivered in key moments and cemented her place among the competition's elite outside backs.

The recognition at the Waratahs' annual awards reflected the impact Whitaker had throughout the season. Voted the club's Women's Player of the Year by coaches and staff, the honour acknowledged her consistency, influence and ability to perform under pressure across the entire Super W campaign.

Away from rugby, Whitaker continues to balance elite sport with her studies through the UNSW/NSW Rugby Scholarship, which supports talented student-athletes in pursuing excellence both on the field and in the classroom. Her success is another example of the strength of the long-standing partnership between UNSW and NSW Rugby in developing Australia's next generation of elite rugby players.

To finish the season as the Waratahs' Women's Player of the Year, collect the Best Back award and then produce a two-try Grand Final performance in a championship victory represents one of the standout individual campaigns in Australian women's rugby this year.