The Unmatched Weight of the Māori Jersey for Kennedy Cherrington
For Kennedy Cherrington, the pull of the Māori jersey transcends any grand final, World Cup, or State of Origin appearance. It represents a profound connection, a tangible link to something far greater than the sport itself. “This kaupapa is everything to me,” Cherrington explains. “The Māori jersey is the pinnacle in the game for me personally, and I know that’s a shared, common feeling among my team-mates. I’ve been fortunate enough to play at World Cups, Origins, and Grand Finals, but the Māori jersey is the pinnacle.”
This sentiment stems from a deep sense of cultural responsibility. “I get to represent not just myself and my whanau, but my ancestors and everything we’ve worked towards being Māori in the land of today,” she continues. “So, I just want to take back that narrative and show people that we can showcase our culture and game in one.”
This Sunday, Cherrington will have the distinct honour of running out alongside her younger sister, Rueben, for the highly anticipated Māori vs. Indigenous All Stars clash in Hamilton. The significance of this match is not lost on her. “It’s not just a selection of random players. You have to be Māori to play here. So, I think that’s the special thing, and being surrounded by your own is such a wholesome feeling. It’s like all the whanau coming together, and you just get to be yourself. This is probably one of the most well-connected teams that I’ve been a part of because you share the same heritage.”
Despite growing up over 2000 kilometres away from her ancestral homeland, Cherrington’s connection to her whakapapa has remained a bedrock of her identity, largely thanks to the unwavering guidance of her parents. “They’ve always instilled confidence in us being Māori and learning the Māori way,” she shares. “They always reminded us, showed us where we come from, so we pay homage to our parents and all they had to sacrifice being away from their home because they miss it just as much.”
She acknowledges the sacrifices made. “But obviously, everything happens for a reason. We had to come over there for a fresh start, and we’ve just harnessed that opportunity that they’ve sacrificed for us. But obviously, not having our kapa haka or kohanga growing up has been kind of deflating because that’s what we kind of mourn for being in Australia.”
Inspiring the Next Generation
Cherrington firmly believes that Māori representation is absolutely crucial for young wahine (women). “You can’t be what you can’t see,” she states emphatically. “And there are so many little eyes, both Māori and non-Māori, watching us, looking at us, going, ‘I want to be there. I want to be like them.’ And in a world full of a lot of negative things, we just want to be the positivity and the positive role models that they look to, leading the forefront and changing the narrative of how Māori are to be seen.”
Since joining the NRLW in 2020, Cherrington has witnessed a palpable shift in the women’s game, particularly in the burgeoning support from young fans. “That’s probably been a bit of a pinch-me moment; it’s been really, really noticeable,” she reflects. “I was once that young girl looking up to people who I wanted to aspire to be like. So, if someone says hello, I’ll always say hello back. If someone asks for a photo, I’ll always say yes and have a big smile on my face. I’m here, I’m a role model, whether I like it or not – well, I like it. So, little eyes are watching you, and monkey see, monkey do, right? So yeah, that’s what you want to do, inspire the next generation because you were that young person.”
A Stronger Voice for the Players
Beyond her on-field presence, Cherrington is actively contributing to the advancement of the women’s game by championing a strong player voice. Her recent appointment as a player director for the Rugby League Players Association underscores this commitment. “I’ve just been a big believer in standing up for change and using your voice when others don’t have a voice,” she explains. “So, it’s just something that’s been in me since high school, speaking up. So, I guess it’s kind of just transcended into the rugby league world as well. I love seeing avenues of the game and how things roll and advocating for change.”
The transformation in the women’s game over the past six years has been nothing short of remarkable. “Some of the girls that have been around since those early days have just seen, like, wow, we’ve gone from being basically an afterthought to actually being in the forefront of the game itself here in Australia and New Zealand,” Cherrington observes. “We didn’t even have lockers or proper changing rooms. We were wearing men’s playing gear, had no maternity leave, and none of us having that well-being support. They were expecting a professional product but not treating us like professionals. So, that conversation has changed, and it’s just come such a long way.”
The Road to Equality and Future Aspirations
Despite the significant progress, Cherrington acknowledges that parity with the NRL is still a work in progress. “Obviously, a fully professional schedule, that’s a big one,” she states. “I’d love to see us finally transition slowly into the full-time space. It’ll take some time because I know a lot of the girls have still got full-time jobs, but I think we’d see a massive reflection of quality. I love our game, and I just want to see a positive change for our future for our women.”
With her contract locked in at the Parramatta Eels until 2027, Cherrington hasn’t ruled out a potential move to Aotearoa and a switch to the Warriors. “I grew up supporting the Warriors, and I do have a special place for them in my heart,” she says coyly. “Beyond 2027? Who knows?” Her journey is a testament to the power of cultural pride, dedication to her heritage, and a relentless drive for progress within the sport.
