Former All Black launches charity to share rugby with kids in India

Former All Black lock Norm Maxwell was known as a player who gave his all — that now extends to his new passion, using the sport he loves to foster positive and powerful human connection.

"The more I get into this work, the less it becomes about me. It's more about how I can use contacts I have and experiences I've had to support children to gain tools and create a better life for themselves," Maxwell told 1News.

Maxwell, now based in Spain, has done plenty of volunteer work in recent years. A trip to Kolkata, India in 2022 with charitable foundation 100 World Legends left a lasting impression.

The 49-year-old was touched by the way rugby was used as "a vehicle for well-being" at a local Khelo rugby club.

"Professional rugby, for me, has sort of morphed into a cold machine-like product and lost some of the mana. And what I saw there is reassurance.

"I saw myself in these children's eyes and that's what really captured me."

His passion was picked up by Phil Robson of Total Sports Tours when Maxwell was inducted into the Crusaders Hall of Fame in 2024.

"We seem to be defined by decisiveness a lot at the moment and if we can create opportunities for people to come together, share experiences, form friendships and bonds, that's the way to go," said Robson.

The result is The Kolkata–Kiwi Exchange, an initiative giving kids in the Indian city and Christchurch aged 16 and under the opportunity to experience life abroad through sport.

The estimated cost of the initial tour, scheduled for late 2026, is around $100,000. Maxwell and Robson are confident they'll meet the target with support from local sponsors.

"We've had great responses so far, a lot of enthusiasm in the business community and to do with building economic ties," Robson said.

"The Prime Minister was in India this year, there's also the celebration of 100 years of sporting contact between India and New Zealand next year, so we'd like to be part of that."

The Trust believes there are huge benefits in the collaboration between the two countries — particularly for the Kiwi kid's who'll be selected from local Christchurch schools.

"It's no option but to change their lives — they're immersed in seeing how the other half lives, the reality of life in our world," Maxwell said.

With the charity just launched, the focus now is fundraising, with numerous events already scheduled – including a gala dinner at Christchurch's Te Pae Convention Centre in November.

Those interested in finding out more can do so on the Total Sports Tours website.