Fenech, also known as the Maltese Falcon, was in Maitland as an ambassador of the NSW Premier’s Sporting Challenge and the 44-year-old, who still fanatically manages his own fitness, addressed more than 100 students in the school hall before conducting a range of activities on the adjacent athletics field.

It was all part of the annual NSW Premier’s Sporting Challenge, which is aimed at promoting physical activity in both primary and high schools across the state, and yesterday Fenech, who enjoyed 14 years at the top of Australian rugby league including two representative matches for NSW, spoke passionately from the heart in delivering his message.

“I tried to explain to the kids what they have to do and what decisions they have to make if they want to be successful,” Fenech said.

“My love of sport and keeping fit has helped me to get where I am today, and it’s important for these kids to know that living an active life will certainly go a long way in helping them achieve their goals.

“I hope that by spending time with these kids I can encourage them to lead healthier lives.”

The children were certainly keen to have a go at some of Fenech’s favourite rugby league drills and they were both surprised and attentive with his engaging speech – especially in relation to the topic of alcohol.

“I am an unusual species in rugby league in that I do not drink,” Fenech said.

“The boys would say to me ‘come on Falcon, have a beer’...so there was a shame associated with that.

“But you have got to have the guts to say no.

“I am not saying there is anything wrong with a few beers, you just need to be smart with how many you have, quantity is the key.”

Fenech, who played with the South Sydney Rabbitohs, the North Sydney Bears and the South Queensland Crushers between 1981 to 1995, said another key was education.