Graham Kennedy
New Zealand rugby union footballer, and rugby league footballer and coach
About Graham Kennedy
Lived 1939 – 2002 (aged 63). Graham Kennedy was a New Zealand rugby league player and rugby union player.
Graham Kennedy (23 April 1939 – 9 September 2002), also known by the nickname of "Ginger", was a New Zealand rugby league footballer and coach who represented New Zealand.
Playing career Kennedy played rugby league for the Marist club in the West Coast Rugby League competition and also represented the West Coast. He was a South Island representative between 1959 and 1965.
Kennedy also played for the New Zealand national rugby league team, playing in 64 games, including 21 tests between 1961 and 1966. He played four matches as captain of the Kiwis.
In 1963, he won the New Zealand Rugby League's player of the year award.
While in Greymouth, Kennedy taught at his old school and Grey Main School. He was the first lay principal of Christian Brothers High School.
Coaching career In 1967, Kennedy moved to Australia, becoming the player-coach of the Wagga Kangaroos in the Group 9 Rugby League competition. He became a respected coach, in 1980 Kennedy was only one of three to hold the top NSWRL grading outside of Sydney.
Kennedy taught at St Michael's Regional High School in Wagga Wagga for 27 years before becoming the principal of St Dominic's College, Penrith in 1994, serving until his death in 2002.
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Important facts
People in Graham Kennedy's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Graham Kennedy's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Graham Kennedy?
New Zealand rugby union footballer, and rugby league footballer and coach (1939–2002)
When was Graham Kennedy born?
Graham Kennedy was born on 23 April 1939 in Greymouth.
When did Graham Kennedy die?
Graham Kennedy died on 9 September 2002.
What was Graham Kennedy's occupation?
Graham Kennedy was a rugby league player and rugby union player.
What nationality was Graham Kennedy?
Graham Kennedy was New Zealand.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: Graham Kennedy (rugby league)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Graham Kennedy. https://biography.guide/graham-kennedy-rugby-league-player/
MLA: "Graham Kennedy." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/graham-kennedy-rugby-league-player/.
Chicago: "Graham Kennedy." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/graham-kennedy-rugby-league-player/.
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