Rhys Kennedy to play in England

The 2022 NRL Male Academic Achievement Award goes to Rhys Kennedy (Brisbane Broncos)

Local Tuross Head lad, Rhys Kennedy has had rugby league in his veins most of his life, being the younger brother of three in a household that lived and breathed league. Kennedy was born in Moruya and played his junior footy with the Moruya Sharks According to his Wiki biography: Kennedy played for the Melbourne Storm in the National Youth Competition in 2014.

In 2016, Kennedy played for the Illawarra Cutters in the Intrust Super Premiership NSW competition. In 2017, Kennedy joined foundation club North Sydney who were the feeder club side for NRL side South Sydney. Kennedy spent two seasons playing with Norths in the Intrust Super Premiership NSW.[2]

On March 31 2019 in Round 3 of the 2019 NRL season, Kennedy made his NRL debut for South Sydney against the Gold Coast Titans.

On June 25, Kennedy signed for the Brisbane Broncos in a deal that runs until the end of the 2020 season. He was upgraded until the end of the 2022 NRL season. He’s decided to play for the Hull Kingston Rovers from the 2023 Super League season, for the next two Seasons.[3] Standing 198 cm and weighing 110 kg, Kennedy is the tallest player in the Brisbane Broncos.[4] The Academic Player of the Year award was presented to Rhys on field as part of the Telstra Premiership Grand Final Day recognising the highest off field wellbeing and education achievement by NRL and NRLW players alike throughout the 2022 season The Academic Player of the Year award is given to players who show a genuine and long-term commitment to their vocational studies whilst also demonstrating the core values of the NRL and NRLW: excellence, inclusion, courage, and teamwork.

In winning the award NRL say "Rhys has been a diligent student athlete throughout his career. After completing his Bachelor degree of Exercise Science in 2020, Rhys has gone on to study a Masters of Clinical Exercise Physiology while playing first grade in the NRL. After two-and-a-half years studying part time, Rhys has successfully completed his course, and is now a fully qualified Exercise Physiologist. "In total, Rhys has completed four clinical practical placements through his Masters degree — primarily completed in the off season — and has negotiated with Broncos coaching staff to help manage placement times and availability. "In addition to this, Rhys has also lined up professional work as an Exercise physiologist at The Movement Standard, a clinical exercise physiology, rehab and strength and conditioning centre".

Above: Rhys Kennedy celebrates a try for the Broncos earlier this year. ©NRL Photos