He carved out an incredible career in rugby league and became one of his club’s greatest-ever players, but Terry Campese is far more than just a footy legend.
The 41-year-old is now the head coach of the Townsville Blackhawks’ Queensland Cup side and harbours a dream of one day taking charge of an NRL club.
Campese’s journey is especially fascinating because his pursuit of that dream emerged just a few years after he tried his hand at politics.
Less than a decade after retiring from professional football, he became Labor’s candidate for Monaro after serving in local government.
But despite entering the role with an open mind, Campese quickly realised being a state MP wasn’t just about serving the community.
‘They [the Labor Party higher-ups] kind of painted a picture that it [running for state politics] was the next level [ahead of local council],’ Campese told the Daily Mail.
Terry Campese (pictured) has spoken to The Daily Mail about his short-lived political career
Campese (pictured) entered public life less than a decade after he retired from professional football
‘That straight away was a little light bulb moment [to pursue the opportunity]. I ended up talking to my family and had a crack at it,’ Campese added.
The 139-game NRL veteran stepped into the role in December 2022, but withdrew from the election race by February 2023.
Campese quickly discovered the intense scrutiny that comes with political life, becoming embroiled in a controversy relating to an incident from years earlier.
The then-Labor candidate attracted widespread backlash after footage emerged of him scantily clad at a sex-themed birthday party.
Campese admitted the firestorm took a heavy toll and opened up about the ordeal.
‘It was quite vulgar,’ he said.
‘I had reporters out the front of my house, cameramen hiding in the bushes taking photos of myself and my partner taking out the bins.
‘There was 50 per cent truth to the stories that were being put out there.
The 41-year-old (pictured) decided politics wasn’t for him in February 2023
Campese (pictured) played 139 games for the Canberra Raiders across a career spanning 11 seasons
‘I know the people involved, which is disgusting,’ Campese said.
Despite the brief detour into politics, the Raiders great is now focused on achieving success in the coaching ranks.
Alongside his local council role after retirement, he also joined the coaching staff of a local A-grade team.
Since then, he has steadily climbed the ranks and is now the man behind the Townsville Blackhawks’ rise in the Queensland Cup.
Campese is also looking ahead to what he can achieve in the next phase of his coaching journey.
‘It [moving to Townsville] was the next step in where I want to go now,’ Campese said.
‘I want to be an NRL coach. QLD Cup (or) NSW Cup is the next step.
‘[But] trying to win the premiership is what I want at the moment.’
The 41-year-old (pictured) is now setting his sights on becoming an NRL coach
Campese (pictured with wife Sarah at the 2012 Dally M Awards) made a quick exit from being the Labor candidate for Monaro
After taking over in 2024, when the Blackhawks finished ninth, Campese led the side to a top-three finish in 2025.
Despite that success, the man best known for captaining Canberra to the semi-finals during the 2010 NRL season still harbours ambitions of returning home.
‘I’m a very loyal, passionate man. I was there forever at the Raiders,’ Campese said.
‘I worked in council, [and] my long-term goal is trying to get into the NRL.
‘I love the game. And working with young men. There’s nothing better than coaching the club you love.’
The former NSW Blues player is also an established philanthropist and remains at the helm of the more than 10 year old Terry Campese Foundation.
Campese revealed he launched the foundation while rehabilitating one of the three ACL injuries he suffered during his playing career.
‘I’ve always enjoyed the community aspect of footy. School visits. Hospitals. There’s something special about putting a smile on someone’s face,’ Campese said.
The current Mendi Blackhawks coach (pictured) remains close to the Raiders where he played his NRL career
Campese (pictured left) was the captain of the Canberra Raiders team which made the 2020 semi-finals
‘We first set it up to raise money for other charities. We then moved into my passions – young people and homelessness,’ Campese added.
The former Raider, who spent 11 seasons with the Green Machine, has also spoken about his transition away from professional sport.
Campese believes players should sample different career paths before retirement to avoid making decisions they may later regret.
He has offered advice to players approaching the twilight of their careers.
‘I took an A-grade coaching role when I came back [after finishing my career in England],’ Campese said.
‘That was my competitive balance. You’re still in that team environment.
‘Players should do one day of work experience in jobs they [might] want to do before committing all the way.’
The Queanbeyan born five-eighth also represented Italy in three matches in 2016.ย
