MARY BRENNAN – KIWI FERN #41

A stalwart of women’s rugby league in Canterbury, Woolston’s Mary Brennan toured Australia with the 1999 Kiwi Ferns.

In 1998, Brennan and her 17-year-old daughter, Mereana, played together for Canterbury against the touring Great Britain team in Christchurch.

Brennan, at the age of 42, played lock in the Ferns’ Test at Penrith Football Stadium the following season, won 22-20 by the hosts.

Staying closely involved with the game locally, Brennan coached the Rams to the 2021 Women’s Grand Final.

The winners of the annual CRL Women’s Nines tournament are awarded the Mary Brennan Trophy.