The rugby league and greyhound racing community has been rocked by the sudden passing of Terry Hill

Former NSW and Australian rugby league player and prominent greyhound owner Terry Hill has died, aged 52.

Hill passed away from a heart attack while in the Philippines.

While Hill is best known for his exploits on the football field during a career that saw him play 246 first grade games for five different clubs, he also leaves behind an indelible mark on greyhound racing.

During the halcyon days of Channel 9s the Footy Show on a Thursday night, Hill would appear as a regular fixture, with live crosses at the famous Dapto dogs.

The coverage provided greyhound racing with significant mainstream exposure which only increased when the greyhound Nads raced each week for charity in front of eyeballs the sport would have otherwise never reached.

But while Hill's association with Nads and the Footy Show was on the lighter side, he, along with good friend George Kairouz, were major players when it came to owning and breeding greyhounds.

Hill's first real successful foray was when racing former Group 1 star Placard back in the early 2000s while in recent times reveled in the ownership of champion straight tracker Shall Not which has won 47 races and counting.

The former NSW and Australian representative also owned a swag of other topline greyhounds, including Group 1 Brisbane Cup winner Fast Times, Group 1 Adelaide Cup hero Golden Night and prolific winning machine Mr. America.

On top of his significant success as an owner, Hill would make himself available in any capacity to promote the industry.

Each year he was a regular fixture as the headline ambassador for the NSW Vs Queensland State of Origin series at Albion Park.

In many ways Hill made it the success it is today, tapping into the state rivalry he exhibited so proudly as a player to promote the event.