7s player of the year: Kelly Van Harskamp (Netherlands)
This tall flying Dutchwoman has been the key player for the Netherlands for several years, but her talismanic properties were never more important than in 2011. The Dutch, seeded second, had to finish in the top three at the European Championships to be given professional status, but when Kelly was suspended for the pool game against Russia and they unexpectedly lost. 24 hours later the Dutch were playing for that vital third place against the same opposition, but with Kelly back in the side this time the result was never in doubt - and the Netherlands became women's rugby's first professional team. Also starred for her team in Las Vegas, Amsterdam, Hong Kong, and Dubai - where they lifted their first international trophy.