The Sharks congratulate NRLW stars Quincy Dodd and Tiana Penitani and NRL halfback Nicho Hynes on being recognised at last night's Wellbeing and Education Academic Excellence Awards.
Dodd, a proud Darug woman, and Hynes, a proud Wiradjuri man, received the respective NRLW and NRL Indigenous Leadership and Excellence Awards, while NRLW captain Penitani was named in the Academic Team of the Year.
The annual awards celebrate academic achievement, leadership and excellence across the NRL and NRLW competitions with recipients honoured at a ceremony on the opening night of the National Wellbeing and Education Conference in Sydney.
This year 98 nominations were received from the 17 NRL and 10 NRLW clubs, with the winners declared by a judging panel consisting of an NRL and RLPA representative along with a subject matter expert in each award category.
Each award recipient took home a $5,000 education grant from the RLPA Individual Player Education Grants Program to be used for professional development purposes to enhance their career and business aspirations.
All three Sharks players are exceptional leaders.
Dodd balances her playing duties with work as an NRL Game Development Officer, while Hynes has been involved in several off-field initiatives, including sparking the club's inaugural Mental Fitness Round in May this year.
Women's captain Penitani, meanwhile, was one of 13 players across the NRL and NRLW competitions included in the Academic Team of the Year.
A lifelong learner who has studied in multiple fields, Penitani recently became a qualified reformer Pilates instructor and has provided invaluable academic support to the club's Lisa Fiaola and Tarsha Gale Cup junior players.
Sharks recognised for off-field work in NRL/RLPA awards
The centre is also committed to honing her craft as a rising media talent, regularly appearing on Fox's match coverage and the ABC's That Pacific Sports Show.
"It's inspiring to see our NRL and NRLW players excelling not just on the field but in their academic and personal pursuits," Wellbeing and Education Board Chair Lynne Anderson said.
"These awards reflect our commitment to supporting player development and preparing our athletes for life beyond rugby league. Congratulations to all nominees and winners - they set a positive example and are leaders for the next generation of rugby league players."
Jamie Buhrer, the RLPA's General Manager of Player and Football Operations, added: "On behalf of the RLPA I would like to congratulate all players who were award winners or finalists in the 2024 Academic Excellence Awards.
"It is a huge honour for players to be selected and recognised for their commitment and dedication to managing their off-field personal development while also fulfilling their duties as athletes in the NRL and NRLW.
"We are continually proud of our members for their achievements, and the group of players recognised in 2024 are no different. All these players are incredible role models for current and future players to inspire them to pursue academic and off-field pursuits in a wide variety of industries and skill sets."
2024 Award Winners
2024 Academic Award
NRL – Christian Welch (Melbourne Storm)
NRLW – Brydie Parker (Sydney Roosters)
Pasifika Leadership & Excellence Award
NRL – Tui Kamikamika (Melbourne Storm)
NRLW – Kennedy Cherrington (Parramatta Eels)
Indigenous Leadership & Excellence Award
NRL – Nicho Hynes (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
NRLW – Quincy Dodd (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
Entrepreneur Player of the Year
NRL – Angus Crichton (Sydney Roosters)
NRLW – Millie Elliott (Sydney Roosters)
Vocational Player of the Year
NRL – Alex Twal (Wests Tigers)
NRLW – Taneka Todhunter (Parramatta Eels)
Academic Team of the Year
Christian Welch (Melbourne Storm)
Brydie Parker (Sydney Roosters)
Euan Aitken (Dolphins)
Luke Garner (Penrith Panthers)
Jacob Preston (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
Lachlan Croker (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles)
Fonua Pole (Wests Tigers)
Scott Drinkwater (North Queensland Cowboys)
Tyla King (St. George Illawarra Dragons)
Pihuka Berryman Duff (Parramatta Eels)
Romy Teitzel (Brisbane Broncos)
Tiana Penitani (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
Lindsay Collins (Sydney Roosters).
