Life membership honours Wall's dedication

New Otago Touch life member Toni Wall manages the Otago Spirit in its Farah Palmer Cup game last weekend. Photo: Peter McIntosh
New Otago Touch life member Toni Wall manages the Otago Spirit in its Farah Palmer Cup game last weekend. Photo: Peter McIntosh
Few people can claim to be as busy as Toni Wall - but then few people can claim to be life members of Otago sporting organisations.

Having done virtually every role imaginable for the Otago Touch Association since beginning as a player in the early 1990s, Wall has been made a life member.

The phrase ''every role'' is hardly an exaggeration either.

Wall has coached, managed, organised and refereed the game, her involvement stretching from school level right through to national teams.

Alongside that, she is similarly heavily involved in netball as both a coach and administrator.

At present, she is also managing the Otago Spirit rugby team in the Farah Palmer Cup.

On top of that she works as the Maori liaison officer with the police in Dunedin.

It is plenty to take on, although she likes to be busy.

The life membership had come as a ''bit of a shock'' to Wall, who did not have to look far for motivation to keep going.

''Just the enjoyment with seeing the kids succeed.

''Whether it's winning a title or just going out and having fun and enjoying making new friends, its all about the kids, that's why I basically do it.''

There had been plenty of highlights.

The ones that stood out being the several South Island and national titles she had been involved with, alongside seeing Otago players make it to the international arena.

She felt the sport was doing well in the region, particularly given the challenges of living in Otago.

''I think considering our population and being quite isolated down in the bottom of the South Island, I think we punch well above our weight on the national stage.

''Per head of population we have a lot of kids representing New Zealand ...

''We're seen as a province that others are envious of with our really good coaches and players coming through, and managers as well.''

She was getting ready for another season of it this summer and will head away in two weeks for a trial camp for the New Zealand men's team, which she manages.

So how does Wall arrange to make all of it fit?

''Let's just say I don't have dinner until after 9pm sometimes, or I forget to have it,'' she said with a laugh.

''My lawns are quite long and I've got weeds in my garden.

''There's lots of running around, but I wouldn't have it any other way.''

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