Katrina Fanning’s name immortalised with Origin honour

A WOMAN with proud Junee roots who helped blaze a trail for generations of female rugby league players has received yet another lasting honour on one of the sport’s biggest stages.

The Women’s State of Origin Player of the Series award will now be known as the Katrina Fanning Medal, recognising the extraordinary contribution of former Junee woman and rugby league trailblazer Katrina Fanning AO PSM.

The NRL confirmed the change ahead of last Thursday night’s series decider, with Ms Fanning later presenting the inaugural medal during the post-match trophy ceremony following NSW’s historic whitewash.

Blues regular Yasmin Meakes became the first player to claim the honour.

 

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The medal had previously been named after women’s rugby league pioneer Nellie Doherty.

However, the NRL last year renamed the NRLW Minor Premiership trophy the Nellie Doherty Shield, paving the way for the representative honour to carry Ms Fanning’s name from 2026 onwards.

 

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NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said the decision reflected Ms Fanning’s profound influence on the sport.

“Katrina Fanning’s contribution to rugby league, on the field and in administration, has been significant, particularly in shaping the women’s game at representative level,” Mr Abdo said.

“Naming this medal in her honour recognises that impact.

“It will now be awarded each year to the standout player in the Women’s State of Origin Series.”

For Junee, the recognition carries special significance.

Raised in Junee before later moving to Canberra, Ms Fanning has long remained one of the region’s most celebrated sporting figures and one of the game’s most influential female voices.

A member of the inaugural Australian women’s rugby league team, the Jillaroos, Ms Fanning played 26 Tests across a remarkable 14-year career and retired as the most capped female rugby league player in the world.

Her influence, however, stretched far beyond the playing field.

Katrina Fanning AO PSM was inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame in 2024 | Image: NRL.com

A proud Wiradjuri woman, Ms Fanning has spent decades championing women’s and Indigenous participation in rugby league through administration, governance and advocacy, including serving as Chair of the Australian Rugby League Indigenous Council and as a director of the Canberra Raiders.

Her achievements have attracted national recognition, including being named ACT Australian of the Year in 2020 and receiving one of Australia’s highest honours, being appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2023.

In August 2024, Ms Fanning became one of the first six women ever inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame, cementing her legacy as one of the game’s great pioneers.

With her name now attached to one of women’s rugby league’s most prestigious individual honours, Thursday night’s presentation proved a fitting full-circle moment, with Ms Fanning taking centre stage to personally award the inaugural medal.

For Junee residents who have proudly watched her journey from a country town upbringing to national sporting recognition, it marked yet another milestone in an already extraordinary legacy.