Good Sports: Lee Turner

Lee Turner. Photo / File

One Northland sport which probably is not seen enough in the newspaper is touch. Lee Turner is a local lad who, at 14, has an endless amount of potential. On the weekend, Lee represented the under-16 New Zealand touch team at a tournament in Australia. Lee had a moment to catch up with the Northern Advocate for this week's Good Sport.

What is the tournament you were at over the weekend?

Is there lots of competition between the Kiwis and Aussies?

It is the Australian Nationals where we play against State teams - NSW, Queensland, Victoria, Act, North Queensland. And, yes, the rivalry between New Zealand and Australia is as strong in touch as it is in rugby and league.

Is this your first time playing for New Zealand? What other teams have you played for?

Yes this is the first time playing for New Zealand, I am also a member of the New Zealand Maori's 16s Boys, Te Taitokerau Touch (Northland), and my touch club is the Whangarei Galaxy.

What is your favourite thing about playing touch?

The fun you get to play with your family (dad, mum, brothers, sisters, aunties, uncles, cousins, friends) and it's non-contact so that keeps you fit for your winter sports.

Do you look up to the likes of Benji Marshall and Shaun Johnson who have strong touch backgrounds?

I look up to both of them as they have unique skills and visions which make them stand out above the normal X-factor players. But a guy named Peter Walters aka "Mr Touch" is who I look up to most as he mentors our Galaxy club.

Do you play any other sports?

I play league and rugby, so touch helps me heaps in those sports with fitness, skills and vision.

If there was one thing you could change about touch in Northland, what would it be?

To do well at national level.