One of the NRL’s most popular players, Daly Cherry-Evans, will celebrate his 300th game for his beloved Sea Eagles on Saturday night.
And while Cherry-Evans is determined to win another premiership with Manly, he revealed that his biggest motivation was now to inspire his three young girls, Navi, 10, Harvie, 8, and five-year-old Tully.
Daly Cherry-Evans with wife Vessa and three girls, Navi, 10, Harvie, 8 and five-year-old Tully at South Curl Curl Beach.Credit: Kate Geraghty
To help celebrate Women in League Round, Cherry-Evans posed for a rare family photo with wife Vessa at South Curl Curl Beach this week.
Cherry-Evans would be happy for his girls to continue the family name in the NRLW competition.
“They’re too young to know what they will be good at in life, but if they want to play rugby league, I’ll encourage them to chase their dream, just like their dad has,” Cherry-Evans said.
“If you really want to do something, you’ll do it.
“If one of my girls wants to have a crack at footy, I’ll take them to training and give them a go.
“Right now they’re content watching dad. I’ll tackle them at home, I’ll tackle them on to the couch or the bed.
“My youngest is pretty wild and has floated the idea of playing footy. Who knows, maybe she’ll be playing in 15 years time. The NRLW could be huge by then.”
Vessa is regularly at games and helped present her husband with his milestone jersey on Friday night before Manly played St George Illawarra on Saturday.
The 34-year-old has earned more than $12 million at the northern beaches club during a brilliant career that has spanned more than a decade.
“I’m still as competitive as ever, and I’m out there to win, but a lot of my motivation is inspiring my kids to chase their dreams, and to inspire the kids at school to become an NRL or NRLW player,” Cherry-Evans said.
The Manly skipper will play his 300th game on Saturday night.Credit: Getty
“A really big part of why I play now is to inspire the next generation. I’ve seen how much girls love their dads. I’m sure through the teen years it might get a bit prickly but, at the moment, they’re such beautiful kids … it’s a beautiful thing to go home each night to my four girls.”
According to NSW Rugby League statistics, the number of girls playing rugby league in the state is 26,191. A quarter of registered participants are in the Manly area, including referees and coaches.
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