Latest news with #Jillaroos
France 24
a day ago
- Sport
- France 24
Walters named Australia coach for rugby league Ashes in England
Walters, who was sacked by the Brisbane Broncos last year, takes over the Kangaroos from Mal Meninga who has taken charge of the new Perth Bears franchise. Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V'landys said Walters was the right man for the job. "Kevin has played for the Kangaroos, had a successful coaching career with Brisbane Broncos and Queensland Maroons, and will bring that expertise into the national team for the Ashes," he said. "Kevin has toured with the Kangaroos as a player, was a leader as a player and as a coach. His coaching pedigree is a natural fit for the national team." Walters played 291 matches with the Canberra Raiders and Brisbane Broncos, winning six Premierships, while featuring in 20 State of Origin games for Queensland and playing 11 Tests. Australia face Shaun Wane's England in three matches starting at Wembley on October 25, with Everton's new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock in Liverpool and Headingley in Leeds also hosting Tests. England have not faced Australia since the 2017 World Cup final, which the Kangaroos won 6-0. Australia also announced that current women's team coach, Jess Skinner, would extend her tenure with the Jillaroos through to the 2026 World Cup.
RNZ News
a day ago
- Sport
- RNZ News
Kevin Walters named Australia Kangaroos rugby league coach
Kevin Walters. Photo: Photosport Kevin Walters has been announced as the new head coach of the Australia Kangaroos for this year's Ashes series in England. Walters, a former premiership player with the Brisbane Broncos and Canberra Raiders, takes over from Mal Mengina, who has been appointed as the inaugural coach of the Perth Bears franchise. Current Jillaroos coach Jess Skinner has been extended through the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, but the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) only said Walters had been appointed coach for the 2025 Ashes tour. "The commission is very pleased to confirm Kevin Walters as the Kangaroos coach for this historic series," ARLC chair Peter V'landys said. "As Kangaroo number 612, Walters is very well placed to lead the national team on a historic tour to the UK. "Kevin has played for the Kangaroos, had a successful coaching career with Brisbane Broncos and Queensland Maroons, and will bring that expertise into the national team for the Ashes. "Kevin has toured with the Kangaroos as a player, was a leader as a player and as a coach. His coaching pedigree is a natural fit for the national team." Walters played 11 Tests for the Kangaroos and was part of the 1990 and 1994 tours of Great Britain and France. "It is truly an honour and a privilege to be able to coach the Kangaroos on such a stage," Walters said. "Playing on a Kangaroos Tour was always a pinnacle as a player, so to be able to lead the best of the best in this environment is very humbling and obviously very exciting. "This series will be an important step for the growth of international rugby league and for the Kangaroos. I can't wait to get started." Walters was the coach of the Broncos from 2021 to 2024, leading the club to a grand final appearance in 2023 before being sacked the following year as the side slumped to 12th with a 10-14 win-loss record. Walters also coached Queensland in four State of Origin series from 2016-2019, winning two series. The Jillaroos travelled to Las Vegas in March and beat England 90-4 in their only match under Skinner, who took over from Brad Donald after a successful but turbulent tenure with the national women's team. "I've really enjoyed the chance to coach at this level, so to be given the opportunity to coach the Jillaroos through the 2026 World Cup is incredibly exciting," she said. "The women's game is experiencing continued and significant growth, so to be part of the journey at this level is a real honour." -ABC
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
'She saved two lives': Rugby star Kennedy Cherrington on the deeply personal story that saw her take on a new role and how you can get involved
Kennedy Cherrington is proving she's a force to be reckoned with, on and off the field. The rugby star is one of the most recognisable faces in the game, playing for the NRLW Parramatta Eels alongside younger sister Rueben, and as part of the victorious NSW Blues State of Origin side. Sydney born, with proud Māori heritage, Kennedy has also represented Australia for the Jillaroos national team, and plays for the Māori All Stars. And the prolific player is using her considerable platform for good. Kennedy, 26, is a mentor for young people, a supporter of a number of charities and helps raise awareness for DonateLife. The sportswoman's connection to organ donation is deeply personal, after her grandmother donated her kidneys. 'Nan made it known to our mum that she wanted to be an organ donor when she passed,' Kennedy tells Daily Mail Australia. 'She ended up giving her two kidneys to two different recipients, who were on dialysis and were quite serious cases, and she ended up saving their lives. 'That just sums up our Nan and the selfless person she was.' Kennedy and Rueben's grandmother Glenda died after suffering a severe asthma attack at home in 2020. After being transferred to hospital via ambulance, the 68-year-old passed away in the ICU. 'When the time came she fulfilled the criteria to be able to give some of her organs as she was already registered, and being in the ICU they were able to transfer her organs quickly.' 'It helped us through the grief, to know she is still kind of living on through other people,' she says. There are currently 1,463 people waitlisted for a kidney. There are also 14,000 more people in late stage kidney failure on dialysis who may one day need a kidney transplant. Having experienced a close family member give the gift of organ donation to others, Kennedy found herself witnessing the other side of the story when she forged a bond with a young fan through volunteering with the Parramatta Eels. 'We cook for the sick kids at Ronald McDonald House in Western Sydney in a program called Meals from the Heart. Back in 2023 I met a girl named Ruby who I really connected with.' Ruby had been diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension disorder, which was affecting her lungs. 'I just gravitated toward her, given that I was a HeartKid myself. I related to some of the trauma from what I went through as a young girl, where I was told I would never play sports again or even live past the age of eight. I saw her like a younger sister.' Kennedy was born with a congenital heart defect and had open heart surgery at eight years old. Alongside supporting DonateLife, Kennedy is an ambassador for HeartKids, advocating for kids with childhood-onset heart disease. Kennedy stayed in touch with Ruby and over the next several months while her health deteriorated and helped to raise awareness and money to support Ruby's family. 'She ended up receiving a double lung transplant and it saved her life, and now she's healthy and thriving,' says Kennedy, who regularly checks in with her young friend. 'To see both sides of organ donation has been really eye-opening for me, it opened my eyes to what some people are going through. That's why I just wanted to use our platform to kind of bring awareness to organ donation.' While Ruby was lucky, there are many more in need of an organ transplant who are not. There are currently around 1,800 Australians on the waitlist for an organ transplant and 14,000 more on dialysis for kidney failure who need Australia's help. According to DonateLife, around 50 Australians die each year waiting for a transplant. This number may actually be much higher, as many people are removed from waitlists as their health becomes more unstable. Australians can register to become organ donors from the age of 16. And yet, in 2024, just 174,414 people registered. Kennedy is eager to make her fans, many of whom are young adults, aware of how such a quick and simple thing to do could impact so many lives. 'Becoming an organ donor is so easy,' she says. 'It literally takes less than a minute to register. Just be selfless - there are so many amazing organisations out there that you can be a part of for a greater cause. If you want to help others, being a part of organ donation is the first step.' In the lead up to DonateLife Week, Kennedy and Rueben joined fellow DonateLife advocates, Carlton AFL star Zac Williams, comedian Lehmo, and White Island survivor Stephanie Browitt to film some new videos. The sports star takes her platform seriously, and alongside supporting DonateLife and HeartKids, Kennedy is a mentor for young people in the community. The sports star works with Goanna Academy leading mental health programs in schools, and has also established a leadership program at her former primary school. This DonateLife Week, we want all Australians to register as organ and tissue donors and be the reason someone else gets a second chance at life. We know that 4 in 5 Australians say they support donation, but only 1 in 3 are registered on the Australian Organ Donor Register. One organ donor can save the lives of up to 7 people and change the lives of many more through eye and tissue donation. It only takes one minute to register as an organ and tissue donor at or through your Medicare account. Then, tell your family you want to be a donor - someone's life depends on it. Kennedy says her Māori heritage has informed her sense of social consciousness. 'We are all about being stronger together. 'Kotahitanga' means unity. If someone in the community isn't doing well, we all get together and help lift each other up. The Sydney-born athlete, who re-signed to the Eels this year through 2027, has also recently been named to the Rugby League Players Association Board of Directors, and collaborated on a sports journal. She and Rueben also have a podcast, Cherries on Top, which is currently in its second season. 'It is a really unique experience, being sisters and playing together, as well as living together and now co-hosting our podcast,' says Kennedy. 'At times its been a challenge, we are very competitive, we've had to find a balance so that it doesn't affect our relationship. We've had to learn when to be sisters and when to be teammates. 'We wanted to use our platform to really have our own say on things,' says Rueben of starting the podcast. 'Often as an athlete what you say can be interpreted the wrong way in the media, and so we wanted to take our voice back and make sure it was coming directly from us.' The siblings discuss their sports careers as well as a range of topics from light-hearted sibling banter to representation, culture and leadership, and in a recent episode hit back at misogyny and sexism against female sportswomen. 'We are very passionate about any female sport and often we can find the backlash is in majority from men, who often sexualise us or just portray us in a negative light, says Rueben. 'We are bloody good athletes,' Kennedy adds. 'Don't compare us to the men. Give us a chance, watch the game. 'We want our future daughters or nieces and granddaughters to have female athletes as role models.'
The Advertiser
30-06-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Fittler withdraws interest in coaching Kangaroos
Brad Fittler has withdrawn from the race to take over as Kangaroos coach, after opting to focus on his television commitments. Fittler has told the ARL Commission he is no longer eyeing off the Australian Test job, after having been the initial favourite to replace Mal Meninga. The former NSW mentor's decision leaves Cameron Smith as the front-runner for the role, having also emerged as a genuine contender. Smith only retired from representative football eight years ago, but has coaching experience as Billy Slater's Queensland assistant in 2022 and 2023. Kevin Walters is also considered an option, after briefly meeting with the NRL as they searched for the Perth Bears' first coach. Walters is keen to get back into the coaching game, after being sacked by the Broncos at the end of last season. Meninga was forced to end his nine-year tenure at the helm of the Kangaroos in early June, after taking on the head coach job at the Bears. Appointing a new Kangaroos coach is a top priority for the ARLC, with an end-of-season Ashes tour of England looming. A full-time Jillaroos coach must also be appointed, after Brad Donald's exit earlier this year. His former assistant Jess Skinner took over on an interim basis for Australia's Test against England in Las Vegas in March, which the Jillaroos won 90-4. Brad Fittler has withdrawn from the race to take over as Kangaroos coach, after opting to focus on his television commitments. Fittler has told the ARL Commission he is no longer eyeing off the Australian Test job, after having been the initial favourite to replace Mal Meninga. The former NSW mentor's decision leaves Cameron Smith as the front-runner for the role, having also emerged as a genuine contender. Smith only retired from representative football eight years ago, but has coaching experience as Billy Slater's Queensland assistant in 2022 and 2023. Kevin Walters is also considered an option, after briefly meeting with the NRL as they searched for the Perth Bears' first coach. Walters is keen to get back into the coaching game, after being sacked by the Broncos at the end of last season. Meninga was forced to end his nine-year tenure at the helm of the Kangaroos in early June, after taking on the head coach job at the Bears. Appointing a new Kangaroos coach is a top priority for the ARLC, with an end-of-season Ashes tour of England looming. A full-time Jillaroos coach must also be appointed, after Brad Donald's exit earlier this year. His former assistant Jess Skinner took over on an interim basis for Australia's Test against England in Las Vegas in March, which the Jillaroos won 90-4. Brad Fittler has withdrawn from the race to take over as Kangaroos coach, after opting to focus on his television commitments. Fittler has told the ARL Commission he is no longer eyeing off the Australian Test job, after having been the initial favourite to replace Mal Meninga. The former NSW mentor's decision leaves Cameron Smith as the front-runner for the role, having also emerged as a genuine contender. Smith only retired from representative football eight years ago, but has coaching experience as Billy Slater's Queensland assistant in 2022 and 2023. Kevin Walters is also considered an option, after briefly meeting with the NRL as they searched for the Perth Bears' first coach. Walters is keen to get back into the coaching game, after being sacked by the Broncos at the end of last season. Meninga was forced to end his nine-year tenure at the helm of the Kangaroos in early June, after taking on the head coach job at the Bears. Appointing a new Kangaroos coach is a top priority for the ARLC, with an end-of-season Ashes tour of England looming. A full-time Jillaroos coach must also be appointed, after Brad Donald's exit earlier this year. His former assistant Jess Skinner took over on an interim basis for Australia's Test against England in Las Vegas in March, which the Jillaroos won 90-4.
7NEWS
30-06-2025
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Brad Fittler withdraws from process to take over as Australian Kangaroos coaching job
Brad Fittler has withdrawn from the race to take over as Kangaroos coach, after opting to focus on his television commitments. Fittler has told the ARL Commission he is no longer eyeing off the Australian Test job, after having been the initial favourite to replace Mal Meninga. The former NSW mentor's decision leaves Cameron Smith as the front-runner for the role, having also emerged as a genuine contender. Smith only retired from representative football eight years ago, but has coaching experience as Billy Slater's Queensland assistant in 2022 and 2023. Kevin Walters is also considered an option, after briefly meeting with the NRL as they searched for the Perth Bears' first coach. Walters is keen to get back into the coaching game, after being sacked by the Broncos at the end of last season. Meninga was forced to end his nine-year tenure at the helm of the Kangaroos in early June, after taking on the head coach job at the Bears. Appointing a new Kangaroos coach is a top priority for the ARLC, with an end-of-season Ashes tour of England looming. A full-time Jillaroos coach must also be appointed, after Brad Donald's exit earlier this year. His former assistant Jess Skinner took over on an interim basis for Australia's Test against England in Las Vegas in March, which the Jillaroos won 90-4.
