Toni Robinson never dreamt that a decision, made 14 years ago, to support her daughter’s junior touch team would lead to both of them wearing the silver fern.

When the Marlborough mother-of-two offered to help eight-year-old daughter Courtney get into a new sport in 2004 she would have laughed out of the park anyone who suggested she would represent New Zealand on three occasions and still be involved 14 years later.

But that is exactly what happened. Toni managed the NZ under-15 mixed team in 2012, the under-17 mixed national reps a year later and the NZ under-21 men’s team in 2015. Courtney was a member of both the mixed teams, a personal family highlight, but Toni recalls the U21 men’s test series as a special moment.

“I loved doing the children’s stuff, but when I was manager for the under-21 men we played three tests against Australia and we got to go on and stand with the team doing the national anthem, that was pretty special.” 

Toni honed her management skills with Courtney’s junior rep team, and the Witherlea school side, before being “thrown in the deep end” as secretary, then president of Marlborough Touch. She stood down as president in 2015, being replaced by brother Garrie Armstrong, then Ngaire Lawson who took over the presidency in 2017, but has continued to be involved until announcing this year that she would be taking a well-earned break.

She has thrived on the demands of management and organisation amid the touch environment and the close-knit community.

“I love it … the whole family atmosphere,” Toni explained.

“I’ve made friends throughout the country. It’s been great seeing the various kids progress, players like TC Campbell, helping him to get up the ladder.”

“There’s a lot of players around the country like him that I have met and you see them at tournaments now and they are either coaching or still playing … they run over and give you a hug … that’s what makes it so special.”

“It’s like a massive family – all the team end up calling you Mamma T, just things like that – plus the friends you meet in the management group become life-long friends.”

She feels touch has a place in the national sporting scene, especially now some mainstream sports are recognising its value.

“Rugby is starting to take us on board … seeing the benefits touch players bring, going into sevens especially. The NRL in Australia are beginning to use touch as an opening game for their premiership games, so it is a sport that is starting to rise. Most of the NZ women’s sevens team are former touch players … it’s an exciting sport to watch and with more input at high performance level could benefit many others.”

Although she has decided to step back due to family considerations, including a new grandson, Toni has certainly not ruled out a return to touch management.

“I’m going up to Auckland to support the Marlborough Boys’ College team at nationals in December … I still do contemplate [getting back into the scene] but I’m keen to have a break, a hiatus.”

“But if you are still passionate about something you should always be involved in it.”

“Marlborough touch has been fortunate to have so many great people involved, but there is always a need for more people to put their hands up and help.”

Photo caption: Toni Robinson, pictured at work in a Blenheim hairdressing salon, has relisher her lengthy management role in the growing sport of touch. Photo Credit: Pete Jones