Clinton Toopi /

Fast facts

• Born in Stratford, New Zealand and raised in Auckland, New Zealand
• Debuted with the NZ Warriors in 1999
• Played with the NZ Warriors for eight seasons
• Played in the 2002 NRL Grand Final against Sydney Roosters
• Played for the Gold Coast Titans from 2010-2011
• Played more than 150 career games
• Captained the NZ Maori team in 2010
• Played for the New Zealand Kiwis from 2000-2007
• Represented New Zealand in more than 20 international games
• Retired from professional rugby league in 2011
• NRL Ambassador from 2016-2018
• Current NRL Community Program Manager - State of Mind

Fun facts

• Favourite NRL team: Vodafone Warriors and Gold Coast Titans
• Career ambition as a kid: A professional NRL player
• Favourite food: Anything healthy and tasty with the odd sweet treat (Coles choc cookies)
• Spirit animal: Cuddly Bear
• What's on TV (when the footy isn't on): A program that will inspire me

Biography

Starting junior league at just seven years old, Clinton Toopi was introduced to the game by his father, a local junior league coach, playing for the Glen Innes Falcons, Richmond Rovers, Mt Wellington Warriors and the Otahuhu Leopards and has loved the sport ever since.

Born and raised in New Zealand, Clinton debuted with the NZ Warriors in 1999 and completed eight seasons with the side, including the 2002 NRL grand final clash against the Sydney Roosters.

Inspired most by the seniors at his local junior club, Mt Wellington Warriors, Clinton challenged himself to play with the passion and aggression they showed, giving him the edge he needed to make the NRL.

After playing eight seasons with the Warriors, Clinton tested his skills in rugby union, before returning to rugby league in 2010, playing for the Gold Coast Titans in 2011.

In 2016 Clinton was inducted as a NRL Ambassador after his existing involvement in the Queensland State of Mind program and is now in the role of NRL Community Program Manager, Managing the NRL Program, State of Mind.

"I have a genuine passion to empower and drive change in mental health and wellbeing, through our NRL State of Mind program. As program deliverers we get to engage and connect with our communities, normalise help seeking behaviours, start healthy conversations, reduce stigma around mental health, create safe spaces and identify leaders within our grassroots clubs and local schools. to move us forward with mental health and wellbeing at the forefront. I love that our game provides these amazing programs that are delivering powerful messages of hope and change." said Clinton.