Who is the Rugby Photographer of the Year?
American photographer Brendan Buckley has been named Rugby Photographer of the Year 2023 with his image of New England Free Jacks in the MLR.
The sun-dappled photograph of the New England Free Jacks at the Starfire Stadium, was chosen ahead of more than 900 entries from around the world, announced at the launch of the year-long Rugby Photographer of the Year with Canterbury at the World Rugby Museum, Twickenham.
Now in its third year, Buckley was one of six category winners with judges choosing his image as the Grand Prix winner, taking home the first prize of £1,000 cash and a full set of Canterbury teamwear for a team of his choosing.
The other winners on the night included Rhys Hafod in Portrait with his image of an Aberaeron RFC player; Christopher Kennedy for his collection of work in Portfolio; Gareth Lyons’ International Mixed Ability World Cup photograph in Spirit; Sean Hale in Landscape for New York Rugby Club v Twin Cities in Manhattan; and Hannah Wright in Young, for Sale Sharks celebrating a try against Wasps.
Six others received Highly Commended: Emma Cox (Young); Maximiliano Aceiton (Portrait); Patrick Khachfe (Action); Tim Anger (Spirit); Heidi Petch-Jones (Landscape) and Fred Ellis (Portfolio). “This year’s entrants truly represented the rugby diaspora across the world,” said Alex Mead, Editor-in-Chief of Rugby Journal, organisers of the annual competition. “The exhibition reflects everything that we love about the game, from all levels, and the fact both amateurs and professional photographers have taken part makes the exhibition unique, telling so many stories.”
The entire shortlist of 60 images forms the exhibition which is now live at the World Rugby Museum, and they will also appear in the new special edition of the Rugby Journal, out next week, and available to order via therugbyjournal.com/subscribe