Born and raised in Tamworth by his beautiful Sicilian Father and Australian Mother, Tony has always prided himself of his humbling beginnings. He now shares his time between Tamworth and Newcastle. He is a highly regarded and successful sports person with a lifelong list of accolades. As a young man he was the Tamworth High Alumni, State Champion in both Rugby League and Water Polo, plus selected for the Australian School Boys Water Polo Team in 1979. After captaining the team the following year, he would have had the opportunity to represent Australia in Water Polo at the Olympics, had he moved to the city. He shunned the din and remained home in Tamworth, captaining and coaching the Australian Country Team for 10 years. As a highly distinguished Country Coach, he then went on to coach the West Lions 1st Grade Rugby League team for 18 years and after winning 8 Premierships, Tony retired in 2013, after 5 consecutive Premierships.