Ex-Super League and NRL hooker lands new role after retiring

A former Super League and NRL hooker has landed an off-field role at a club Down Under after hanging up the boots.

Ex-Huddersfield Giants and Leigh player Nathan Peats has been confirmed as the Community Development Officer at Tweed Seagulls in New South Wales.

Peats, who would represent New South Wales in all three State of Origin games in 2017, spent the final three years of his career in Super League.

His move to the Northern Hemisphere came following a successful ten-year career Down Under that first started with South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2011 after coming through the club’s junior ranks.

He’d go on to play for Parramatta and Gold Coast Titans before making the switch to join Leigh, then called Centurions, ahead of the 2021 season.

A loan move to Huddersfield Giants happened midway through that campaign but he then opted to play in France’s Elite One division with Albi before a prompt Super League return with Toulouse.

The final season of his career was back at the John Smith’s Stadium in 2023, with Peats officially hanging up the boots at the end of the season having just turned 33.

Ex-Super League man Nathan Peats lands new off-field role

After returning Down Under, it’s now been confirmed that he is still involved in the sport having joined Tweed Seagulls in an off-field role.

Despite being based in Tweed Heads, New South Wales, the Seagulls actually play in the Queensland Cup and are one of just two teams, alongside PNG Hunters, outside of the state to do so.

In 2024, they finished 13th but were just five points outside the play-offs, with the likes of Leeds Rhinos’ signing Keenan Palasia playing three games for them.

Now, Nathan Peats is their Super League connection with the club confirming him to his role this month.

Their statement read: “The Tweed Seagulls Rugby League Club is thrilled to welcome Nathan Peats to our team in the role of Community Development Officer.

“His deep understanding of the game and what it takes to succeed in it make him the perfect fit to help us foster strong connections with the community.

“As Development Officer, Nathan will focus on building pathways for young athletes, delivering grassroots programs, and promoting the values of inclusion, teamwork, and resilience both on and off the field.

“His commitment to giving back to the sport he loves will help inspire the next generation of Seagulls and strengthen our ties with the local community on the Gold Coast and Northern Rivers.”

Peats would add: “Just to be part and work for the community in the footy side of things, I’ve been working with the Broncos this year in mainly the community side of stuff and to be able to do it around the area that I live in. Being involved in footy is something I’ve known my whole life and something I want to be involved in.”