Multicultural round signified many things to many people in rugby league and for Eels forward Kennedy Cherrington it offered a chance to teach the next generation how to be proud of both country and heritage.
Cherrington spent the week sharing the story of her rugby league journey with school children in communities across Western Australia’s Pilbara region as part of the NRL’s Road to Regions initiative.
The 24-year-old was born in Sydney and raised in Western Australia but has Māori heritage through both her mother and father’s side and is equally proud of her Australian and Māori backgrounds.
Having played for the Māori Ferns in the 2022 All Stars game, Cherrington took some heat for choosing to represent her birthplace Australia instead of her ancestral homeland New Zealand at the World Cup, but is determined to use her profile to educate young rugby league fans on cultural identity.
“I was born in Australia, I grew up in Australia and I played my footy in Australia. I haven’t lived in New Zealand, so I feel like I have every right to represent Australia," Cherrington told NRL.com in Karratha.
“It’s the place that gave my parents the opportunity to give me an opportunity, that’s how I see it.
People don’t understand the difference between culture and heritage.
Kennedy Cherrington Parramatta forward
"I always recognise my Māori side, I’m a proud 'wahine' (female) and I advocate that in Māori All Stars. But there’s more than one thing that I identify as.”
Putting the negativity aside as the Jillaroos powered through the World Cup, Cherrington capped a superb year by scoring two tries in three minutes to help the Jillaroos to a 54-4 win over the Kiwi Ferns in the final at Old Trafford.
And six months later, standing in a school in a remote part of Western Australia with a Steeden in one arm and Jillaroo #167 tattooed on the other, Cherrington is the perfect example of national and cultural pride.
I had a bit of an identity crisis last year but now I know where I come from, I know my 'Pepeha' (motto) and I know who I am. That’s the most important thing.
Kennedy Cherrington
“You’re going to get criticised but you can’t please everyone," she said.
“It was difficult but then I had to remember it was only my decision. Even if my parents went against it, which they didn’t, sometimes you just have to go with what your heart feels and that was Australia.
“It’s still such a surreal moment that I’ve represented Australia and everywhere we’ve visited people have recognised me."
Alongside NRL greats Alan Tongue and Joel Thompson, Cherrington visited schools and junior rugby league clubs in Karratha, Roebourne and Port Headland, encouraging kids to be active and get involved in their community through rugby league.
The Rockingham Sharks junior is living proof that a career in the NRL or NRLW is possible for Western Australians but Cherrington believes there’s still a long way to go to increase funding and pathways resources in the west.
Cherrington nabs a second-half double
“Australia is quite diverse, we know that and I think sport brings everyone together and it’s been a great opportunity to work with Indigenous communities,” she said.
“I hadn’t had a great opportunity to visit isolated regional communities before so I’ve loved the opportunity to make a change and have a positive influence on these kids.
“Western Australia is where I grew up and what I’m really trying to do is advocate Western Australian rugby league and show that just because you’re from WA, doesn’t mean you can’t make it.
“I feel like I hold a greater responsibility growing up here, I think it’s a calling for myself personally and I hold that with great responsibility."