ROSEMARY ABBOTT | Sport
CLEAR PRIORITIES
Christchurch resident Matt Smyth, 35, has once again clarified to friends, family, and a handful of romantic prospects that he is “just not in a place for commitment right now.”
Despite working long hours in finance, Smyth somehow transforms from weary office worker to hyper-available social athlete the moment the clock hits 5:01pm. While most people head home to decompress, Matt is usually speeding across the city in sport-appropriate attire for whichever league needs him.
What started as the odd game of indoor netball a few years ago, has spiralled into a weekly schedule that resembles someone training like a professional athlete. Monday is mixed netball, Tuesday is men’s netball, Wednesday is touch rugby and Thursday is “whoever needs a fill in” and Friday is meant to be a relaxation night, although he is often “on standby” to drop everything to play a random game.
Friends say Matt’s motivation is partly fuelled by an unfulfilled dream.
“His rugby career didn’t quite take off,” says one mate, “so now he plays all forms of sport socially, but with the intensity of a man still hoping he’ll make it professionally.”
When asked why he struggles to maintain meaningful relationships, Matt offered what he believed was an airtight explanation:
“When would I have time to sit at home choosing something on Netflix with a partner when I regularly play back-to-back random fill-in netball games in Hornby?
“I’m time poor. How could I take my girlfriend out for dinner when I need to be at Lancaster Park for social touch rugby, or when someone may need me to play centre or wing defence for their social team?”
While his dating life remains a revolving door, Matt insists his priorities are simply different.
“Relationships come and go. But the 7:40pm mixed grade semifinal waits for no one.”
More to come.
