Sharks skipper Wade Graham has been announced as the recipient of the Rugby League Players Association’s (RLPA) Dennis Tutty Award for 2022.
Awarded annually to a current rugby league player who has demonstrated outstanding leadership on and off the field, a commitment to fellow players and to the advancement and protection of their rights, while also recognising service and dedication to the game of rugby league, Graham was named the 2022 Tutty award winner alongside Knights NRLW player Hannah Southwell.
Graham began his RLPA involvement as a Sharks Delegate and then a member of the Player Advisory Group, before his appointment to the RLPA Board in May, 2019.
Clint Newton, the Chief Executive Officer of the RLPA, praised Wade’s commitment and the amount of work he has fulfilled this year on behalf of the NRL playing group.
“Throughout 2022, Wade has been outstanding for the players and the Association, which only adds to the years of work he has already committed to the RLPA as a Delegate, PAG member and Board Director,” Newton said.
“When you're a young CEO you need strong and loyal support to help you through difficult times, and Wade has most certainly provided this for me without hesitation. He attends many important meetings within the Association, either as a Board member or Player Advisory Group member, and has led from the front during critical negotiations with the NRL throughout the year to advocate on behalf of players.
“In particular, Wade was incredibly influential in the roll-back of the restrictive COVID protocols NRL and NRLW players were facing in January, in working with the Association to negotiate the players’ share of outperformance, and now as we get to the table with the NRL to negotiate our joint-CBA.
“On top of all these commitments, Wade is one of the first players to put his hand up to speak in the media, which shows incredible courage to speak up on behalf of all players to ensure their collective voices are heard,” Newton added.
The 2022 Dennis Tutty Award nominees from the NRLW competition were Chelsea Lenarduzzi, Southwell and Simaima Taufa, and from the NRL competition the nominees were Kurt Capewell, Graham and Josh Hodgson.
Past winners of the Dennis Tutty Award:
▪ 2022 Hannah Southwell (NRLW)
▪ 2022 Wade Graham (NRL)
▪ 2021 Ali Brigginshaw (NRLW)
▪ 2021 Christian Welch (NRL)
▪ 2020 Blake Green
▪ 2019 David Gower
▪ 2018 Jason Nightingale
▪ 2017 James Maloney
▪ 2016 Dene Halatau
▪ 2015Tom Symonds
▪ 2014 Nate Myles
▪ 2013 Clint Newton
▪ 2012 Robbie Farah
▪ 2011 Andrew Ryan
▪ 2010 Petero Civoniceva
▪ 2009 Michael Gordon
▪ 2008 Jason King
About Dennis Tutty
Dennis Tutty played rugby league long before the days of full-time professionalism. Before colour TV, Tina Turner and the NRL. When players played almost exclusively for their local clubs and, first and foremost, for their love of the game. Unfortunately, in this romanticised era of rugby league, where the greats of Arthur Beetson and Ron Coote made their names, player rights were often a passing thought for the game’s administrators.
Dennis’ actions in challenging the NSWRL’s transfer system in 1968, at great personal sacrifice, were not only pivotal in the emergence of a player’s rights movement but paved the way for the professionals of today.
The RLPA will ensure that Dennis’s legacy is never forgotten, and all players are reminded of the benefits his sacrifices provide them.
