- Cheryl Waaka's whānau confirmed her passing on Sunday, describing the two-time World Cup winner as a legend of the game
- Waaka played 20 tests for the Black Ferns and was a trailblazer who became the first woman to coach a senior men's club side in Northland
- Her stage four bowel cancer diagnosis prompted a community fundraising campaign that raised more than $82,000 for her treatment
Cheryl Waaka, a former Black Ferns player and two-time Rugby World Cup champion, has passed away after battling stage four bowel cancer. She was 56.
Her whānau announced her death on Sunday, honouring her as a "beloved sister, friend and legend" whose influence stretched far beyond her playing career.
Waaka's legacy on the rugby field
Over 20 test appearances for the Black Ferns, Waaka won 19 matches and was part of the New Zealand squads that claimed World Cup titles in 1998 and 2002. She scored a try in the 2002 final against England, cementing her place among the game's greats.
Her impact continued long after she hung up her boots. In 2005, she made history as the first woman to coach a senior men's club rugby team in Northland, a milestone that reflected her determination to push boundaries in the sport.
As president of the Kaikohe Rugby Football Club, Waaka devoted years to nurturing women's and girls' rugby throughout Te Tai Tokerau.
Northland Rugby Union paid tribute to her life and service, describing her as a trailblazer and a wāhine toa whose contribution would be felt for generations.
"Cheryl was more than a remarkable rugby player," Northland Rugby Union said. "She dedicated herself to growing the girls' and women's game across Te Tai Tokerau. From grassroots clubs to representative pathways, she worked tirelessly to create opportunities, build confidence and ensure the next generation of female rugby players had a place to belong and a pathway to succeed."
Honours and advocacy in her final years
Waaka's national standing was formally recognised in the 2023 New Year Honours, when she was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to rugby. The following year she was named in Northland Rugby's Women's Team of the Century, and in 2025 she was inducted as a Northland Legend of Sport.
After receiving her cancer diagnosis, she channelled her experience into advocacy, urging greater awareness around early detection, particularly within Māori communities. Her treatment involved Avastin, an unfunded medication, which prompted a community fundraising effort that ultimately raised more than $82,000.
Speaking to RNZ, Waaka reflected on what she hoped to leave behind.
"I'm never one to ask for help, but I'm always giving," she said. "My legacy will be that I've given everything that I can."
Source: Briefly News