Latest news with #JoshKerr
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Beautiful family detail as Dragons confirm signing of Maroons Origin player
Queensland State of Origin representative Josh Kerr has had a week to savour after welcoming his first child with fiancee Dijana, and signing a two-year deal to rejoin the Dragons in 2026. The Dolphins star admits he was keen to stay at his boyhood club, but a salary cap squeeze ultimately forced him out of Redcliffe, paving the way for Kerr to return to the club where his NRL career began. Kerr spent four seasons at the Dragons and played 68 games after making his NRL debut with the club in 2019. But he's been playing some of the best footy of his career after realising a dream to return to Redcliffe and play for the Dolphins, where he's learnt under master coach Wayne Bennett and current mentor, Kristian Woolf. The 29-year-old enforcer's barnstorming displays and off-loading prowess has helped the Dolphins surge to eighth on the ladder and earned him selection in Billy Slater's Maroons Origin squad this year. And while he would have loved to remain in Queensland with his fiancee and baby boy Atlas - who was born last Tuesday - the move was ultimately best for Kerr and his young family. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Josh Kerr (@joshmkerr) "It has been a fairytale to play for my home-town team in the NRL," Kerr told AAP. "I grew up thinking Queensland Cup was the pinnacle. Then I got to be coached by the super coach Wayne Bennett at Redcliffe in the NRL. I was so grateful. "I love the Dragons. They gave me my first opportunity and allowed me to live out my NRL dream. I am really excited at the prospect of going back. The Dolphins had no cap space for me. I was gutted and heartbroken because I'd done everything they wanted me to, but they put the club first. "CEO Terry Reader and Woolfy (coach Kristian Woolf) did everything they could to keep me, but they said I had to look after my family. A few clubs were interested, which I won't name out of respect, but the Dragons came in late." Josh Kerr set for reunion with Shane Flanagan at the Dragons Kerr is set to reunite with Dragons coach Shane Flanagan, who was an assistant at the Red V the last time Kerr was there, and a man he often turned to for support. Wollongong is also close to his heart and it's where his fiancee and her family grew up. "When I was struggling I leant on Shane a lot for coaching advice. He helped me a lot. He is a tough coach and I need that in my life," Kerr added. "Since I've come home to Queensland I have bought my first house, got engaged, had my first kid and I'm playing the best football of my career. I left the Dragons as a boy. I have become a man and I get the opportunity to go back and be a better man and player." The Dragons' Wollongong home holds a special place for Kerr and his financee, who are excited to return to the area and plan on expanding their family. And after welcoming baby Atlas into the world last week, the Dragons recruit explained the mythical significance behind his son's name. RELATED: Titans make big call on Des Hasler in bid to keep Gold Coast captain NRL world divided over Mitch Moses' furious act towards teammate Walters urges Broncos to avoid one player to replace injured halves "I always wanted to give my kids big, powerful names," Kerr said. "Atlas was a Titan in Greek mythology tasked with holding up the heavens on his shoulders. I want to have a big family and I wanted my firstborn son to have a name like Atlas with that responsibility of being the big brother. "My first thought is to make sure he has a roof over his head and a bellyful of food, as does Dijana. Dijana was born in Belgrade in Serbia. There was a civil war and her hard-working parents came here as refugees and built a life and raised a family in Wollongong." Kerr's new deal means he has a chance to do the same. with AAP
Sydney Morning Herald
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘I was ashamed': Departing Dolphin's impassioned plea in fight for change
There was a moment in the Dolphins' preseason when Josh Kerr laughed at any suggestion of his captaincy credentials, chortling there was no chance coach Kristian Woolf would appoint him as the club's leader. Yet soon after, he was called up on stage as co-skipper of the Indigenous All Stars in their triumph of their Maori counterparts, offering the inspirational words 'culture elevates culture'. 'I didn't know I had to do a speech, I'd never been a captain before so I didn't realise I had to get up on stage,' Kerr jokes. 'I was shaking and stuff – 'oh, thank you, Harvey Norman'.' But Kerr's pride in his Indigenous roots had not always been so obvious. Growing up, he reveals he simply wanted to fit in at school, and was not so willing to express his cultural background with admiration. 'I've been very blessed in my life, but when I was going through school I was probably ashamed at points in time to identify as proudly as I was as an Indigenous Australia,' Kerr says. 'The thing is I now feel embarrassed looking back on that and being that kind of person I was. But it was probably one of the best things for me because you learn to be proud within yourself. Loading 'When you get older, and you realise the impact you can have on the younger generations, that's what made me really want to dive in and be a great leader to my family and cousins.' Kerr will enter this week's NRL Indigenous Round the same larrikin and charismatic presence which has made him an endeared figure to media, but now driven by a higher purpose. As an ambassador for Deadly Choices, the 29-year-old has cast a keener eye on issues impacting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture – namely the angst generated this year regarding Welcome to Country. The prop cuts a more frustrated demeanour when discussing his anger at social media critics of the ceremonies – 'I'm sick of hearing 'why do I have to listen to Welcome to Country?'' But while he laments it's 'crazy that there's still a lot of that going on in the world', he stresses his role as an Indigenous leader and advocate was to help educate the 'arrogant' sceptics of the impact racial vilification has caused. And he implored the rugby league community to not limit their education on Indigenous culture and issues to NRL rounds dedicated to such awareness and celebration. 'You don't really like looking back at the past and all those atrocities that happened, however you need to have that bit of pain, look back and say 'how can we do better?'' Kerr says. 'Everything seems impossible until it's done. I would just love to be able to leave a legacy knowing I did my part for my kids when they grow up to make sure they're not ashamed, and they're very proud of who they are.' Kerr will enter Saturday's clash with the Roosters at Suncorp Stadium to begin his final stretch with the Dolphins, as the club confirmed he had not been re-signed beyond his 2025 deal. He will instead return to the Dragons, where he played his first 68 games, on a two-year contract. While Kerr was ushered into the Queensland Maroons' fold for their State of Origin game three preparations, Woolf said in July the squad's plethora of injuries – including forwards Daniel Saifiti, Tom Gilbert, Thomas Flegler and Max Plath – had opened doors for other prospects to make their case for extensions. 'It [the salary cap] is evolving all the time, what this year has given us with the injuries we've had is a real opportunity for other guys to step in and have a presence, and put their own mark on the team,' Woolf said, while expressing hope they could squeeze Kerr into their roster. 'Some guys have put their hands up to say they need to be in this club going forward.' Despite his desire to remain in Redcliffe, Kerr refused to get caught up in the hysteria of his next move, believing whenever he did his form plummeted. He now stands a key pillar in his side's finals charge, averaging 85 running metres a game off the bench at a time when he and his fiancé welcomed their first child – Atlas – into their lives. 'I've had this drama before where I've been in contract negotiations and I start really overthinking things,' Kerr admitted last month.
The Age
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Age
‘I was ashamed': Departing Dolphin's impassioned plea in fight for change
There was a moment in the Dolphins' preseason when Josh Kerr laughed at any suggestion of his captaincy credentials, chortling there was no chance coach Kristian Woolf would appoint him as the club's leader. Yet soon after, he was called up on stage as co-skipper of the Indigenous All Stars in their triumph of their Maori counterparts, offering the inspirational words 'culture elevates culture'. 'I didn't know I had to do a speech, I'd never been a captain before so I didn't realise I had to get up on stage,' Kerr jokes. 'I was shaking and stuff – 'oh, thank you, Harvey Norman'.' But Kerr's pride in his Indigenous roots had not always been so obvious. Growing up, he reveals he simply wanted to fit in at school, and was not so willing to express his cultural background with admiration. 'I've been very blessed in my life, but when I was going through school I was probably ashamed at points in time to identify as proudly as I was as an Indigenous Australia,' Kerr says. 'The thing is I now feel embarrassed looking back on that and being that kind of person I was. But it was probably one of the best things for me because you learn to be proud within yourself. Loading 'When you get older, and you realise the impact you can have on the younger generations, that's what made me really want to dive in and be a great leader to my family and cousins.' Kerr will enter this week's NRL Indigenous Round the same larrikin and charismatic presence which has made him an endeared figure to media, but now driven by a higher purpose. As an ambassador for Deadly Choices, the 29-year-old has cast a keener eye on issues impacting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture – namely the angst generated this year regarding Welcome to Country. The prop cuts a more frustrated demeanour when discussing his anger at social media critics of the ceremonies – 'I'm sick of hearing 'why do I have to listen to Welcome to Country?'' But while he laments it's 'crazy that there's still a lot of that going on in the world', he stresses his role as an Indigenous leader and advocate was to help educate the 'arrogant' sceptics of the impact racial vilification has caused. And he implored the rugby league community to not limit their education on Indigenous culture and issues to NRL rounds dedicated to such awareness and celebration. 'You don't really like looking back at the past and all those atrocities that happened, however you need to have that bit of pain, look back and say 'how can we do better?'' Kerr says. 'Everything seems impossible until it's done. I would just love to be able to leave a legacy knowing I did my part for my kids when they grow up to make sure they're not ashamed, and they're very proud of who they are.' Kerr will enter Saturday's clash with the Roosters at Suncorp Stadium to begin his final stretch with the Dolphins, as the club confirmed he had not been re-signed beyond his 2025 deal. He will instead return to the Dragons, where he played his first 68 games, on a two-year contract. While Kerr was ushered into the Queensland Maroons' fold for their State of Origin game three preparations, Woolf said in July the squad's plethora of injuries – including forwards Daniel Saifiti, Tom Gilbert, Thomas Flegler and Max Plath – had opened doors for other prospects to make their case for extensions. 'It [the salary cap] is evolving all the time, what this year has given us with the injuries we've had is a real opportunity for other guys to step in and have a presence, and put their own mark on the team,' Woolf said, while expressing hope they could squeeze Kerr into their roster. 'Some guys have put their hands up to say they need to be in this club going forward.' Despite his desire to remain in Redcliffe, Kerr refused to get caught up in the hysteria of his next move, believing whenever he did his form plummeted. He now stands a key pillar in his side's finals charge, averaging 85 running metres a game off the bench at a time when he and his fiancé welcomed their first child – Atlas – into their lives. 'I've had this drama before where I've been in contract negotiations and I start really overthinking things,' Kerr admitted last month.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kerr confirms sights set on Glasgow 2026
Josh Kerr says he is planning for a "very special" Commonwealth Games after confirming he intends to race in Glasgow next summer. The Olympic silver medalist and current world champion from Edinburgh revealed he is targeting the home event on the back of coasting to victory in the 5,000m at the UK Athletics Championships. Last week marked the one year to go mark for the Games to return to Scotland, 11 years after the city last hosted the event. "Of course the Commonwealths are in my plans and on my mind for next year," said Kerr. "Racing for Team Scotland would be a big deal for me and I feel very lucky we have the Commonwealth Games again coming to the UK. It is going to be in Glasgow and that can be very special. "It is a big part of my calendar for 2026 and I will look forward to that. The Europeans are in Birmingham a couple of weeks later." The 28-year-old is currently preparing for his 1500m title defence at the World Championships in September. And Kerr, who eased to victory over the weekend, says he is keen to give a better account of himself at next year's Games compared to Birmingham three years ago. The Scot finished 12th in the 1500m, and said: "Last time around, here in Birmingham, it was not a fantastic experience or effort from me - there were lots of reasons for that in the summer of 2022. "But my job is to perform consistently - and do that for everyone watching and for myself."
BBC News
5 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Kerr confirms sights set on Glasgow 2026
Josh Kerr says he is planning for a "very special" Commonwealth Games after confirming he intends to race in Glasgow next Olympic silver medalist and current world champion from Edinburgh revealed he is targeting the home event on the back of coasting to victory in the 5,000m at the UK Athletics week marked the one year to go mark for the Games to return to Scotland, 11 years after the city last hosted the event."Of course the Commonwealths are in my plans and on my mind for next year," said Kerr."Racing for Team Scotland would be a big deal for me and I feel very lucky we have the Commonwealth Games again coming to the UK. It is going to be in Glasgow and that can be very special."It is a big part of my calendar for 2026 and I will look forward to that. The Europeans are in Birmingham a couple of weeks later."The 28-year-old is currently preparing for his title defence at 1500m at the World Championships in Kerr, who eased to victory over the weekend, says he is keen to give a better account of himself at next year's Games compared to Birmingham three years Scot finished 12th in the 1500m, and said: "Last time around, here in Birmingham, it was not a fantastic experience or effort from me – there were lots of reasons for that in the summer of 2022.'But my job is to perform consistently – and do that for everyone watching and for myself."
