Kennedy Cherrington has been selected to represent Australia at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Bahamas this July.

Learn more about her…

NAME: Kennedy Cherrington
STATE: WA
SPORT: Rugby 7s

Western Australian Kennedy Cherrington’s dream of signing a contract with the Australian Women’s Rugby 7s team has come further into focus this month, upon her selection into the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games team.

However, the 18-year-old’s path hasn’t always been so clear.

In February 2015 at an U18 State Championships Cherrington suffered a career threatening injury, rupturing her ACL and causing considerable damage to the bones and tendons surrounding it.

The teenager was forced to consider giving up representative Rugby, until her family and friends rallied behind her.

“It was a long road of rehabilitation and recovery over the following 12 months… I tried to stay positive,” she said.

“Mum supported me through the whole journey, keeping me positive, not letting me give up, driving me to appointments and training’s.

“My parents really made me realise that… if I wanted it I had to work for it, physically, emotionally and most of all mentally.”

Cherrington’s encounter with serious injury helped form a ‘never give up’ attitude and appreciation for where she is at now, a mindset she says she’ll take into competition at the Games in July.

“I feel extremely proud and honoured to have this opportunity to represent my country,” she said.

“Pulling on the green and gold jersey for the first time is going to be such a surreal moment and I can’t wait.

“At that moment I will be thinking and thanking everyone that helped me get to that point.”