PETER Maxwell played two seasons for the Newcastle Wildfires before embarking on a rugby adventure in 2000 that took him to Sydney, Brisbane, Wales and Italy.
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The hooker, who played for Queensland against Japan, returned to Newcastle in 2008 and went on to win five premierships with Hamilton - the latest in 2019.
He also started up a successful business - Maxwell Recruitment - and is back helping the Wildfires in a different capacity.
Maxwell Recruitment has trained and helped secure jobs for 15 players from the men's and women's teams.
"I have travelled a lot playing rugby," the 42-year-old said. "For most of that time, I have needed do work while I have been playing. I know how important it is. If a player is sorted off the field with employment and income it makes a a difference on the field. We provide free training to all the players in nationally accredited courses that help me place them into work. It also up-skills them for future employment."
Maxwell was a breakaway in the Wildfires colts in 1998 before making the switch to hooker and competing with current coach Scott Coleman for a spot in first grade in 1999.
"Bubba (Coleman) got injured and I got an opportunity," Maxwell said. "Towards the end of the 99 season we beat Randwick and then Eastwood in last round. Eastwood went on to win the premiership that year. Sydney Rugby Union axed the Wildfires the following season and a bunch of us went and played with West Harbour."
From there, Maxwell moved to Brisbane, playing four seasons with Wests, where he was part of a wider Queensland Reds squad before stints in Wales and Italy.
"I learnt to speak Italian in Florence and became the cultured man am today," he said laughing.
"Now that I'm not playing it is has been good to meet the guys and the girls. They are accomplished players, a lot with professional backgrounds. It has been enjoyable to be able to help them out.
"Newcastle is such a good place. That has been a big attraction piece for the Wildfires. If people are employed and earning money, everything else becomes pretty easy."
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James Gardiner
James Gardiner, chief football and rugby writer at the Newcastle Herald.
James Gardiner, chief football and rugby writer at the Newcastle Herald.
