Lisa McKay and Katrina Fisher are two women very much committed to junior rugby league in the Cronulla district and to the clubs they represent.
The pair, who carry out many and varied roles at their respective clubs, have been nominated for the NSWRL Women in League Award in acknowledging their outstanding contributions as female volunteers.
McKay, from the Kurnell Stingrays and De La Salle’s Fisher, somehow find time in their busy schedules to help their clubs to thrive and survive and during the NRL’s Women In League round are extremely worthy of recognition.
With two children and working fulltime away from her volunteering responsibilities at Kurnell, for the last 10 years while associated with the Stingrays McKay has held numerous positions, currently filling the roles of club registrar and gear steward.
A former Women in League and Club Person of the Year award winner at the Kurnell club, McKay’s input is certainly appreciated by all at her club.
“Lisa always goes over and beyond for all members in our club in her roles and nothing is a problem for her when asked by the club or the Junior League,” Kurnell Secretary Danielle Edwards said in her nomination of McKay. “Lisa is just the person a small community club like the Kurnell Stingrays needs to be successful.
“Without Lisa my job as secretary would be so much harder. She is a true woman in league.”
In addition to her ‘official’ roles, McKay was also active in helping to form Kurnell’s first Girl’s League Tag team.
“Lisa promoted and helped us to get the first team off the ground and now we currently have four Girls League Tag teams for the 2020 season,” Ms Edwards explained.
Kurnell might say they would struggle to operate without the input of McKay and other volunteers at their club, De La Salle might say the same thing about Katrina Fisher who similarly is a tireless worker for her junior league club.
She too juggles work, looking after her four children and the responsibilities of her volunteer positions at De La Salle.
The child safety officer, social media manager, Under 16’s Age Group Manager and League Tag Coordinator, Fisher also plays an integral role in De La Salle’s fundraising activities.
But with three girls of her own playing for the club, Fisher has been instrumental in attracting more female players and in making sure they feel welcome.
“Katrina has been fundamental in shifting the culture for women and girls at our club,” De La Salle Communications Officer Di Challenor said. “Women and girls are no longer on the sidelines or quietly working behind the scenes, they are recognised as a key part of our make up and fundamental to our success.”
Both award finalists as a small gesture of thanks from the Sharks will be given two tickets each to the round 20 Sharks v Raiders match in an open-air catered box as a gesture of appreciation for all their efforts.
While all clubs across metropolitan Sydney and from districts around the state will believe their nominations are worthy of the NSWRL Women in League volunteer award, none would be more so than the two local ladies working hard behind the scenes to make the Kurnell and De La Salle clubs an enjoyable experience for all.
About Women in League
Women in League Round, which is now in its 14th year, is an opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge the role that more than half a million women and girls play at all levels and in all areas of League (touch, tag and tackle) – from grassroots to the elite game; administration and executive roles; volunteers, coaches, referees and fans.
This year, the creative theme is ‘From Strength to Strength’. From grassroots to board rooms; volunteers to victorious captains – women are critical to the success and future of rugby league, strengthening the foundations of the game and local communities.
The Sharks proudly boast a 10 percent female participation rate within their local junior league, due in part to the profile of the NSW Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership team, the under-18 Sharks Tarsha Gale Cup squad and as a result of the investment made in the women’s game in partnership with our Cronulla Sutherland District Junior Rugby League over the past few years.
