Travis Waddell facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Travis Waddell

Waddell playing for the Knights in 2014.
Personal information
Born	(1989-07-11) 11 July 1989 (age 36) Proserpine, Queensland, Australia
Height	178 cm (5 ft 10 in)
Weight	91 kg (14 st 5 lb)
Playing information
Position	Hooker
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 2009–12 Canberra Raiders 53 3 0 0 12 2013–14 Newcastle Knights 20 1 0 0 4 2016–17 Brisbane Broncos 5 0 0 0 0 Total 78 4 0 0 16 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 2010–13 Indigenous All Stars 4 0 0 0 0 2011 Queensland Residents 1 0 0 0 0
As of 22 February 2025
Relatives	Dane Gagai (cousin) Jacob Gagai (cousin) Josh Hoffman (cousin) Daniel Motlop (cousin) Steven Motlop (cousin) Shannon Motlop (cousin) Marlon Motlop (cousin)

Travis Waddell, born on July 11, 1989, is a former Australian rugby league player. He played as a hooker (HK) for several teams. These included the Canberra Raiders, Newcastle Knights, and Brisbane Broncos in the National Rugby League (NRL). He also played for the Souths Logan Magpies in the Intrust Super Cup.

Early Life and Junior Career

Travis Waddell was born in Proserpine, Queensland. He started playing rugby league at a young age. His junior team was the Proserpine Brahmans. Later, he joined the Souths Logan Magpies.

Professional Playing Career

Waddell playing for the Raiders

Travis Waddell had an exciting career in rugby league. He played for three major NRL clubs. He also represented the Indigenous All Stars team multiple times.

Playing for the Canberra Raiders

After playing for the Souths Logan Magpies, Waddell signed with the Canberra Raiders. He played for their NYC team in 2008 and 2009. During this time, he scored 15 tries in 39 games.

In 2009, Waddell made his first appearance in the NRL. This was in Round 3 against the Parramatta Eels. At the end of 2009, he was named as the hooker in the NYC Team of the Year.

From 2010 to 2013, Waddell was chosen for the Indigenous All Stars team. This team played against the NRL All Stars. He was a regular player for Canberra in 2010. However, he was out for ten weeks with a broken jaw.

In 2011, Waddell started as a regular player. But he was later moved to the feeder club, Souths Logan Magpies. This happened as the Canberra team faced challenges. He played 21 games for Canberra in 2012. He left the team at the end of that year.

Playing for the Newcastle Knights

In 2013, Waddell returned to the Souths Logan Magpies. This team plays in the Queensland Cup. In January 2013, Newcastle coach Wayne Bennett invited Waddell to train with the NRL team. He would train one week each month while still playing for Souths Logan.

On March 4, 2013, Waddell signed a two-year contract with the Newcastle Knights. This was just three days before the 2013 NRL season began. In June 2013, he was released back to the Souths Logan Magpies for the rest of the season. However, he returned to the Knights in 2014 on a full-time deal.

Playing for the Brisbane Broncos

In September 2014, it was announced that Waddell would join the Brisbane Broncos. He followed coach Wayne Bennett to the Broncos in 2015. He signed a two-year contract with the team.

In 2021, Waddell became the captain-coach for the Goondiwindi Boars. This team plays in the Toowoomba Rugby League competition. He led his team to win the Grand Final that year. He continued as captain-coach for Goondiwindi in 2022.

Personal Life and Family

Travis Waddell has a diverse family background. His mother is from Badu Island in the Torres Strait. His father is Aboriginal and from Darwin, Northern Territory. He also has Vanuatuan heritage.

Travis Waddell has several relatives who are also professional athletes. These include:

• Dane Gagai, a player for the Newcastle Knights.
• Josh Hoffman, a former player for the Gold Coast Titans.
• Daniel, Steven, Shannon, and Marlon Motlop, who are all AFL players.