Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Born | (1983-08-26)26 August 1983 Auckland, New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Died | 21 November 2024(2024-11-21) (aged 41) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 171 cm (5 ft 7 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weight | 77 kg (12 st 2 lb) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Position | Second-row, Lock | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: RLPAs of 29 November 2020 |
Kathleen Wharton (née Keremete; 26 August 1983 – 21 November 2024) was a New Zealand rugby league footballer who played as second-row for the New Zealand Warriors in the NRL Women's Premiership.
A New Zealand international, she represented her country at the 2008 and 2013 Women's Rugby League World Cups.
Playing career
In 2008, Wharton was a member of New Zealand's 2008 Women's Rugby League World Cup-winning squad. In 2013, she started at second-row in New Zealand's 2013 Women's Rugby League World Cup final loss to Australia.
Following the World Cup, Wharton retired to focus on her career and raise her family.
In 2019, Wharton returned to rugby league, representing the Māori All Stars in their 8–4 win over the Indigenous All Stars. On 22 June 2019, she represented New Zealand for the first time in six years, scoring a try in their 46–8 win over Samoa in Auckland.
On 10 July 2019, she signed with the New Zealand Warriors NRL Women's Premiership team. In Round 1 of the 2019 NRL Women's season, she made her debut for the Warriors in a 16–12 win over the Sydney Roosters.
On 22 February 2020, she started at second-row for the Maori All Stars in their 4–10 loss to the Indigenous All Stars.
Death
Wharton died on 21 November 2024, at the age of 41.
References
- "Kathleen Wharton". NZRL.
- "End of era for Kiwi Ferns". NZ Warriors. 15 July 2013.
- "Kathleen Wharton's return from retirement boosts Warriors". Stuff.co.nz. 5 August 2019.
- "Quartet named in Maori Ferns All-Stars team". NZ Warriors. 18 June 2019.
- "Wharton's long road back to top". NZ Warriors. 5 August 2019.
- "Hireme's signing huge coup". NZ Warriors. 10 July 2019.
- "First NRLW side of season named". NZ Warriors. 10 September 2019.
- "TEAMS: 2020 Harvey Norman NRL All Stars". League Unlimited. 18 February 2020.
- "'Shocked and saddened': Warrior and Kiwi Fern dead at 41". NZ Herald. 21 November 2024. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
External links
Categories:- 1983 births
- 2024 deaths
- New Zealand Māori rugby league players
- New Zealand female rugby league players
- New Zealand women's national rugby league team players
- Rugby league second-rows
- Rugby league locks
- New Zealand Warriors (NRLW) players
- 21st-century New Zealand sportswomen
- Rugby league players from Auckland