The NSWRL is mourning the passing of much-loved colleague and valued NSWRL Club Support Coordinator Danielle Kifooti, aged 49.
Danielle’s passion for community Rugby League in general, but more specifically for the Manly and North Sydney District, was matched by her infectious enthusiasm for her job with NSWRL spanning almost 10 years.
Danielle started work in 2014 as the NSWRL Academy’s Office Manager with one of her first major achievements pulling together the organisation’s Community Rugby League Policies and Procedures.
In 2017 Club and Competition Coordinator positions were created for the NSWRL community and Danielle was appointed to the Balmain, South Sydney and Sydney Roosters Districts.
She later moved onto the Manly Warringah and North Sydney Districts, where her passion for Community Rugby League ignited people, drawing on her experiences in the area as a former Beacon Hill Bears Club President.
Her initiatives included starting Manly Minis to attract more children to the game, the NSWRL’s annual Respect Round, the Ground Managers Training resource, and the NSWRL’s Club Hub website for all Junior Rugby League assets.
“Respect Round was a measure of Danielle’s keenness to see Community Rugby League environments made safe and fun, so that being involved in the game would be a truly memorable experience,” said NSWRL’s Zone Manager Stuart Stanton.
“She used innovation and education to make the lives of our volunteers easier.
“She understood how important volunteers are to keeping Rugby League successful.”
NSWRL Chief Executive David Trodden said: “It is people like Danielle that Rugby League owes a great debt to.
“No matter what jobs were put in front of her, she grasped everything with a tremendous work ethic because she loved the game so very much.
“Danielle was a highly-valued member of our NSWRL family, whose bright personality was infectious. She will be greatly missed.”
Our deepest sympathy goes to her husband Liku Kifooti and children Solomon and Rebekah (pictured above with Danielle at a NSWRL function).
