True Blue players Cody Walker and Kennedy Cherrington have been honoured with the Ken Stephen and Veronica White Medals for 2022 based on the community work they do off the field, while being intrinsic parts of their Rugby League teams on the field.
Walker (South Sydney Rabbitohs five-eighth) and Cherrington (Parramatta Eels forward) have won $3,500 for both their junior clubs and their nominated charity.
Their awards were announced at Accor Stadium on Sunday as part of the NRL Grand Finals celebrations – Kennedy was present as she had played for the Eels in the NRLW decider against the Newcastle Knights but Walker was on the NSW south coast playing in the 50th anniversary of the Koori Knockout. Rabbitohs CEO Blake Solly accepted the medal on Walker’s behalf.
Walker is a Casino Cougars junior and a former captain of the Indigenous All Stars along with his four NSW Origin games in the 2019 and 2020 series.
The 32-year-old is involved in numerous Indigenous-focused initiatives, including the Nanga Mai Marri (Dream Big) Program, Aboriginal Employment Program, Deadly Youth Mentoring Program and the Rabbitohs' Wellbeing Program.
His contributions include helping to fund the Rising Warriors Program, speaking at various NAIDOC week school celebrations and collaborating with teammate and fellow Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues player, Latrell Mitchell.
In Round 21 the pair surprised participants in the Souths Cares’ mentoring programs with a VIP holiday to the Sunshine Coast.
Cherrington made her Harvey Norman NSW Sky Blues debut in 2021 and grew up in Perth playing for the Rockingham Sharks junior club.
The 23-year-old had heart disease as a child and her struggles in her youth set in place her determination to help raise funds and participate in activities with the ‘Heart Kids’ and ‘2 Feet and a Heartbeat’ walk.
She has enlisted help both from her NRLW teammates as well as her Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership teammates at the Cronulla Sharks.
The other Veronica White Medal finalists were Millie Boyle (Knights) and Steph Hancock (Titans).
Walker’s fellow finalists were True Blues Angus Crichton (Roosters), Nicho Hynes (Sharks) and Queensland’s Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Cowboys).
