True Blue Kennedy Cherrington has been named the Rugby League Players Association’s (RLPA) 2024 NRLW Dennis Tutty Award winner, based on her leadership and advocacy for her teammates as well as the game.
Cherrington is the second Sky Blue to win the prestigious service award after Hannah Southwell in 2022.
The Parramatta Eels forward was one of four nominees for the honour, including last year’s winner Chelsea Lenarduzzi (Broncos).
The RLPA has three key criteria it looks for in a Dennis Tutty Award winner: leadership, commitment to fellow players and their rights, dedication and service to the game.
Tutty’s High Court win in 1971 that the NSWRL transfer system was invalid – after he sat out two years during the legal fight – is seen as the ‘birthplace’ of Rugby League players rights and remuneration.
Cherrington was an RLPA delegate and sat on the Women’s Player Advisory Group during the collective bargaining negotiations.
In a statement today the RLPA said Kennedy was an integral public voice advocating for players' rights in seeking the game’s first joint-CBA for NRL and NRLW players.
“Kennedy is a thoroughly deserving recipient of the Dennis Tutty Award,” said RLPA Chief Executive Clint Newton.
“She is an outstanding person and that is further emphasised by the leadership she shows on behalf of all players. When it comes to all the player matters we care deeply about, Kennedy is always willing to provide public support and private advocacy behind the scenes.
“What is most significant about Kennedy is she is her own person, she has strong values which she is always prepared to fight for, and she is also incredibly down to earth and a good friend to so many players.”
The NRL Dennis Tutty Award winner for 2024 is Manly Warringah Sea Eagles captain, Daly Cherry-Evans.
