BROTHER and sister William Kennedy Jr and Kandy Kennedy will embark on two completely different but equally important sporting journeys this week.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
William, a promising footballer in both rugby league and touch, will represent the Western Region opens Combined High Schools side at the NSW touch football titles at Milperra throughout the week.
That in itself is a massive achievement, but even moreso given that he is competing at open-age level despite only recently turning 15.
A representative also in rugby league, where he was five-eighth in the St Pat's winning Group 10 under 14s team last season, Kennedy has adjusted perfectly to playing with the older group.
“It hasn’t been too tough,” he said.
“I’m not really sure which I enjoy more but it’s probably about the same level as league. I’ve been playing for about three years now, I think.”
There is no surprise at Kennedy’s achievements and ability – his father is William ‘Bubba’ Kennedy, still playing Group 10 premier league with Panthers more than a decade after his 61-game NRL career with Balmain came to an end.
Already the younger Kennedy has been asked to trial for an under 16s indigenous league academy, and he hopes to make a career out of the sport.
His 17-year-old sister is no less impressive with her own sporting pedigree.
She will depart this week for a tour of Canada and the United States, where she will be representing the Travel Australia organisation in track and field, competing in 100m sprints and long jump.
Picked out of the Western Region talent pool, the quietly-spoken teenager is, naturally, excited about her trip and has some simple goals in sporting terms.
“I’d just like to run something near a quick time and, if possible, place first or second,” she said.
“It is good experience for me regardless of where I finish.”
Like her brother and father, Kandy’s heart truly lies in football, which, as a member of the fairer sex, makes things difficult.
Girls aren’t allowed to play junior rugby league beyond under 12s, while in senior terms they can’t begin until they are 17.
She is hoping to play with Mindaribba at this year’s Aboriginal Knockout and to potentially begin playing with a Sydney women’s team next year.
“We’ve had a heap of support from a lot of businesses and people in the community who have helped out with sponsorship and fundraising and we’d love to thank them all for their help,” proud mum Kerrie Kennedy said.
