But even at the peak of his playing powers, Glen Saville always had a lingering thought in the back of his head. He wanted to serve and protect his community.

After playing a club record of 527 games for Illawarra (plus one season at Sydney Kings, but we try to forget that), Mr Saville announced his NBL retirement in 2013. He became a stay-at-home dad to support his wife Angela and raise their children.

Seven years later, the East Corrimal resident is ready for the next chapter in life: becoming a firefighter.

He completed his Fire and Rescue NSW training last month and has now spent his first week on the job.

See more: How LaMelo went from NBA hopeful to Hawks owner

The Hawks legend told the Mercury it was a dream come true to join the firies.

"I'd say it's something that I've thought about since my early 20s," Mr Saville said.

"I came from a professional athlete background and enjoyed the lifestyle that comes with it. From my point of view, life is what happens when you're busy doing something else and I was obviously busy playing a professional sport. So that was always my number one priority and it obviously went longer than I ever dreamed.

"I retired in 2013 to become a stay-at-home dad. I never saw being a stay-at-home-dad as being a profession I'd take on but it was something that I loved. It was important for our family and my wife with her work. But I think being a firefighter is something that I could always imagine myself doing.

"We were getting to a position where my kids got a little older and I got to a point where the opportunity to become a firefighter came around. I decided to become one and here I am.

"Who doesn't want to be a firefighter when they grow up? I just waited until I was 44 years old."

Mr Saville went through the FRNSW interview process late last year before he started his training at the FRNSW Academy in Orchard Hills in February.

He was set to spend three months at the academy, but his program was fast-tracked to just eights weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"In those those eight weeks, we predominantly learned a lot of the skills we needed," Mr Saville said.

"They spend our course up and moved us out early because they didn't want 16 of us in close contact every single day. We got called in on Tuesday and were told 'pack your gear, you're heading to a station'. I was based at Lidcombe station this week before I move to the City of Sydney on Monday."

Mr Saville hopes his athletic background will transition into firefighting. He also sees being part of a firefighting crew as similar to playing on a basketball team.

"It's sharing the highs and lows of a team," he said.

"There are certain parts of this job that I don't know if I'll ever be prepared for, there will be some difficult times. But that's what you share with your teammates, your crew. You're working towards a common goal. I think I was also drawn in by the active nature of it and to help your community. You're learning new skills every day, there's so many different facets this job covers."

As he prepares for the next phase in life, Mr Saville could be forgiven for reminiscing on his playing career.

Speculation continues to grow over the future of the Hawks as Simon Stratford's ownership collapses. Mr Saville considers himself "just a fan" these days but said it was vital for an NBL team to remain in the Illawarra.

"Since I retired, a lot of people have asked if I'd like to be to I'm still involved with the Hawks," he said.

"If I had the time, I would love to be involved in some capacity. But with how busy we are with the kids and home life, I essentially became a fan - which is good for me. I take the kids along to the game, we watch, take it all in and I get to go home and lose no sleep if the Hawks lose a game - which I did when I played.

"When I think about my kids and even the local fans, we're so lucky to have a national league team still viable - well I hope so [anyway] - in the competition. Our team has been there since the inception of the NBL and has had quite a number of ups and downs in that time. But I think we've always been able to dig deep and find a way.

"But what fans can take solace in is the NBL is probably never been in a better position than it is now. Hopefully we can get through this period and sport can bounce back."