France’s Séraphine Okemba has been named the inaugural winner of the 2025 BKT Rising Player Award, following a string of standout performances during this year’s Guinness Women’s Six Nations campaign.
Introduced for the 2025 Championship, the BKT Rising Player Award celebrates individuals who have made a significant impact for their team throughout the Guinness Women’s Six Nations and who exemplify a team mentality whilst performing at the highest level.
Inspired by BKT’s mantra of ‘Growing Together,’ the award is reserved for players who have earned their first Guinness Women’s Six Nations cap and acknowledges their emergence on the elite international stage of women’s rugby.
Okemba was selected as the winner following a vote by representatives from the host broadcast partners spanning each of the Six Nations, following the conclusion of the round four fixtures.
Okemba’s impressive contributions her side throughout the Championship were deemed to have been instrumental in their successful campaign, which saw them claim four wins from the first four rounds of action, cementing her status as a standout young talent.
Across the first four rounds, she registered 53 tackles, the joint-third highest total for France, and posted an outstanding 95.7% attacking ruck effectiveness. She also crossed for a memorable team try in France’s round two win over Scotland, underlining her all-round contribution. Watch her best moments from the Championship: HERE.
The dynamic back-rower was chosen from a talented shortlist of breakthrough players, each of whom delivered eye-catching performances in front of global audiences and their peers. Also nominated were England’s Abi Burton, Italy’s Sara Mannini and Alia Antonietta Bitonci, Wales’ Alaw Pyrs, and Ireland’s Erin King.
Okemba’s rise in the 15-a-side game follows a stellar sevens career. A silver medallist at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and bronze medallist at the 2022 Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town, she returned to the Olympic stage in 2024 before earning her first cap for the French Women’s XV later that year. Her debut came in a WXV 1 warm-up match against England at Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester, in September 2024.
Commenting on Okemba winning the BKT Rising Player Award, Julie Paterson, Chief of Rugby at Six Nations Rugby, said: “The Guinness Women’s Six Nations is rugby’s most anticipated annual occasion in the women’s sporting calendar and offers young players the opportunity to announce themselves on the global stage. The 2025 Championship has seen some incredible performances from some of rugby’s brightest talents, cementing their place within their teams at the highest level.
Séraphine has been an integral player for her side and would have taken a great deal from her contribution to France’s impressive campaign. She has showcased her skill, talent, and team mentality, which is at the heart of the sport. The skills she honed on the Sevens stage have added an exciting new dimension to France’s performances. Her seamless transition to the international 15s game is a testament to both her talent and adaptability, as she has gone on to play a pivotal role in France’s Guinness Women’s Six Nations Championship.
Congratulations also need to go to every player earning their first cap in this year’s Championship, highlighting the hugely exciting young talent coming through in each of the Six Nations.”
Lucia Salmaso, Managing Director of BKT Europe, added: “It is an honour to present this award to a player who has demonstrated embodying the values of rugby and BKT, as well as being one of the best young talents in the global sports scene”.
For the first time in its history, both the Guinness Six Nations Championship, Women’s and Men’s, have an official award dedicated to emerging talents, an award that holds great significance for us at BKT as we strongly believe in the importance of nurturing passions and talent, starting with sports.
Moreover, we believe that this specific BKT Rising Player Award could contribute to the growth of Women’s Sport, inspiring the future generations of women all over Europe and Beyond. At BKT we look forward to seeing many more of them flourish in the upcoming editions.”
With thanks to Women’s 6 Nations
