Former Warrior teaches at Glen Eden Intermediate

CAPTION: New challenges: Anthony Swann fields a question from his year 7 and 8 class at Glen Eden Intermediate. PHOTO CREDIT: JAMES MADELIN

By Justin Latif

Former Warrior Anthony Swann is now handling tricky questions from teenagers rather than dodging oncoming defenders on the rugby league field.

The 32-year-old is a teacher at Glen Eden Intermediate after retiring from his professional league career two years ago.

"This is my first year here," he says "I was at New Lynn school in 2006 and I was playing in France the year before."

Anthony joined the Warriors with cousin Logan Swann in 1995 and went on to play 69 first grade matches.

He debuted with the Warriors top team in 1996.

He played three internationals matches for the Kiwis in 1996 and 1997. He also completed a season for the North Sydney Bears and two with the Canberra Raiders before taking his trade to the Northern Hemisphere.

The New Windsor resident has enjoyed stepping away from the pressure of professional sport but looks back fondly on a career which included 13 tries in Australia's National Rugby League competition.

"It's stressful being in the media," he says. "But it was good experience at the time."

He still plays league for Bartercard Cup team, the Auckland Lions, as well as coaching sports at his school.

His brother Willie is a professional league coach in the United Kingdom and Anthony admits he could well end up in a similar role.

"I've got an assistant coaching job with the Auckland Lions," he says. "It's been good development for me."

League was a big part of family life for thr Swann's during Anthony's childhood in Titirangi.

"My dad used play to for Mt Albert," he says "And my uncle, Logan's dad, represented Auckland back in the day."

"There was always backyard footy going on and Logan always used to cry."