NSW Waratahs and Wallabies great Phil Kearns has today been inducted into the NSW Hall of Champions.
Sport NSW has confirmed that Kearns will be inducted alongside Brad Dalton (Basketball), Craig Johnston (Football), Joanne ‘Joey’ Peters (Football), Prashanth Sellathurai (Gymnastics) and Liesl Tesch AM (Wheelchair Basketball & Para Sailing), at the prestigious rebel NSW Champions of Sport ceremony to be held at the International Convention and Exhibition Centre in Darling Harbour on Monday, November 28.
Kearns, who played his club rugby for Randwick, earned 73 caps for the Waratahs after making his debut in 1989 against ACT and captained the side on 28 occasions.
The NSW hooker also represented the Wallabies 67 times, including ten as captain, and is one of five Australians to have won the Rugby World Cup twice – in 1991 and 1999.
Off the field, Kearns was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2017 for significant service to the community.
Kearns also played an integral role in the bidding process for Australia to host Rugby World Cup 2027 and 2029, serving as executive director.
NSW Sport Hall of Champions Committee Chair, Alan Whelpton AO, said the accomplishments of the six inductees during their distinguished careers earned them worthy selection.
“The six inductees are recognised for their outstanding sports careers which saw them reach the pinnacle of their chosen sport. They represented their country, state, sport, and themselves with distinction and inspired a new generation of athletes to follow in their footsteps,” said Mr Whelpton.
Sport NSW Chairperson, Carolyn Campbell, said the inductees reflected the inclusive nature of sport.
“Sport has the great ability to bring together male and female players of all abilities, shapes, sizes and ethnic backgrounds and provide the opportunity to enjoy organised competitions and the ability to excel and reach the highest levels,” said Ms Campbell.
“These six new inductees to the NSW Hall of Champions have shown the way and we honour their selection,” she added.
Hall of Champion inductees are approved by the Minister for Sport following recommendations from the Hall of Champions Selection Committee and NSW peak sporting bodies.
Kearns is the 21st Rugby Union player to achieve the honour and the first since Nick Farr-Jones in the 1990s.
