NSW Rugby would like to congratulate Kerry Chikarovski for receiving Australian Honours - AM for Service to the Parliament and Community.
Kerry is the incumbent Deputy Chair of NSW Rugby, having been involved with the organisation since 2012.
NSW Rugby Chief Executive Officer Paul Doorn thanked Kerry for her service to rugby in NSW.
“Kerry is a passionate advocate for rugby, particularly women and girls rugby - from the grassroots level to the Super W,” Doorn said.
“Kerry’s leadership was instrumental in developing the NSW Women’s Rugby roadmap and picture of success in bringing together female leaders from across the state.
“Kerry personally contributes financially both to the Positive Rugby Foundation as well as Women’s Rugby directly. Without her generosity, a statewide Women’s representative pathway would not have been possible.
“What distinguishes Kerry from others is her passionate enthusiasm, her visibility and profile at a range of rugby activities, and a genuine interest in the game, players and volunteers at all levels.
“On behalf of NSW Rugby I’d like to thank Kerry and congratulate her on this achievement,” he said.
Kerry felt very proud to have been awarded and was thankful to NSW Rugby for providing her with such opportunities.
“I was very honoured that I was recognised, particularly for my work in the community. I’ve been very fortunate to be involved in organisations like Adopt Change, Our Watch, Humpty Dumpty Foundation and of course my involvement in rugby which I am very proud of and very delighted to have had the opportunity to be involved with all levels of the game, particularly with the women and girls,” Chikarovski said.
“Having been involved now for as many years as I have, as a director on the NSW Rugby board, has had its challenges, but working closely with the Waratahs teams, staff and the board to ensure that motivation levels remain high and the reason that we’re all doing what we’re doing remains front of mind is something that I have very much enjoyed.
“Watching the growth in girls and womens rugby has also been a real joy for me. We’ve now seen that the girls, in both sevens and fifteens, and everything in between have shown that they can play the game, and that they’re good at the game.
“I’m very proud to have been part of the process which has encouraged everyone to accept women and girls into rugby,” she said.
When reflecting on what has been accomplished so far, Kerry couldn’t overlook the success of the Waratahs in Super W as a highlight.
“Their success is particularly a fantastic reflection of their commitment - because they’ve had some tough times in the last year, in particular having to work out how they train and stay together as a group in the very difficult COVID environment,” Kerry said.
“Their commitment to the game, to Super W, and to being representatives of New South Wales has been outstanding. My ambition is that these girls are able to play the game they love, and make a career out of it,” she said.
Kerry is grateful for the continued support of NSW Rugby, and everyone in the community who has embraced women’s rugby.
“I’d just like to say thank you to all the people who have allowed me the privilege of being involved in womens rugby,” Kerry said.
“I think everyone is excited about the potential that rugby has to grow in NSW, but I’m particularly excited about the growth of women and girls, because I think it is the fastest growing part of our sport and it should continue to be so.
“We just need to continue to put in place all the mechanisms, opportunities and competitions to ensure that women and girls continue to be a very important and growing part of our sport,” she said.
