Christine Young talks to MS Auckland (Multiple Sclerosis Auckland) ambassador Sam Smith and MS Auckland board member Anita Hedges (both of whom are from the Shore) ahead of MS Auckland’s Awareness Week in September, during which both feature as players in the ‘Battle of the Boots’ event at Birkenhead UFC.
Sam is a comedian, MC, podcaster, children’s author, television star, musician, and raconteur extraordinaire. He has poor vision, part of his experience of multiple sclerosis, which he was diagnosed with just over a decade ago. Anita was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2023. After tests and a referral to a neurologist, Anita, like Sam, now receives an infusion every six months, which has stabilised her condition and has allowed her to not only continue working as an IT consultant implementing Salesforce for a global sustainability consultancy, but also to challenge herself physically, taking on two Hyrox competitions in the last couple of years. “It’s not always easy as there are side effects like fatigue, pins and needles, and managing stress, but it’s manageable. And most importantly, it works.” (Read Anita’s full story at msakl.org.nz/stories/anita-hedges)
Sam and Anita agree that when someone is diagnosed with MS, it affects their whole family. MS Auckland works hard to develop a strong community feeling with events such as Battle of the Boots, and through its network of support workers. Sam says that in connecting with MS Auckland he felt he had joined a gang. “I didn’t choose to join it, but once I was part of it, I felt I belonged.”
They both say that getting the diagnosis can be scary, especially if you know nothing about MS at the time. But they have positive advice for anyone in their situation: “Focus on doing the things you want to do, and don’t slow down,” says Sam.
“Take one day at a time,” says Anita. “It’s overwhelming at the beginning; try not to get overwhelmed by all the information coming your way. Be kind to yourself. I read up on everything I could so I knew what to expect, and then got on with living life… I’ve got a young family; I’ve got one life, and I put my focus on living that life.”
As Sam explained when Channel Mag talked to him two years ago, multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system in which the immune system attacks the protective covering of the nerves. MS is different for each person. For some it impacts their ability to walk; others lose, as Sam initially did, sensation in different parts of the body. For Sam, it resulted in his losing most of his vision – not that this stopped him refereeing the first Battle of the Boots event last year, though he confesses he may not always have been the ideal ref.
Battle of the Boots is a fun and fund-raising day for MS Auckland, an idea floated by Sam a couple of years ago. Remember – he’s a comedian, and he made the suggestion only semi- (if that) seriously at a meeting where the MS team was looking for a fundraiser. As he tells it, Birkenhead United had been running bingo nights to support MS Auckland at the club for many years. He suggested a football match and suddenly found himself not only with a widely accepted great idea – but the great challenge of finding players to take part. Last year, and again this year, he leaned heavily on his comedy and media mates. The talent he (and others) attracted was, he says, “Better than I thought it would be!”
Sam also found (or appointed?) himself as referee. He confesses he had to “ask who kicked the ball out, and rely on the linesmen occasionally”. He also “awarded a penalty that was apparently a bit suspect”. Oh, and there was a quiet word to the ref from one of the team coaches at one stage. Sam acknowledged the advice with a casual, “Thanks Ted.” (Ted? Yes, the coach in question was the great Sir Graham Henry. His wife, netball luminary Lady Raewyn, who coached the opposing team, is an MS Auckland ambassador alongside Sam.)
Anita was also in the line-up as a player last year, and has put her hand up to take part again. She was on Sir Graham’s team and is pleased she will be again this year. Anita became involved with MS Auckland after her diagnosis, as did Sam. Both say there is a powerful sense of community and support for those diagnosed, and their families. One of the community mentors learned that Anita had a young family, and dropped off age-appropriate literature to help Anita’s children understand what was happening to their mother’s health.
“The support MS Auckland has given me is incredible,” Anita says, and when she was asked to speak about her experience at a fundraising lunch hosted by Raewyn Henry, she was pleased to contribute. And when the opportunity came up to run for the MS Auckland board a few months ago, “I put my hand up and was elected”. Later this year, she’ll take part in the international Oceans of Hope – five days sailing around the Hauraki Gulf, in which the the entire crew has MS.
She claims she is currently in “listening and learning” mode as far as the MS Auckland board is concerned. But just as when she was approached to speak last year, so she jumped at the opportunity when she was approached to play in the inaugural Battle of the Boots last year. It may have helped that one of the things she had focused on after her diagnosis was building her fitness. Last year she took on a Hyrox relay challenge and this year entered as one of a doubles combination. It’s a case of been there, done that as far as Hyrox is concerned, as it was tougher than she had anticipated – and the recovery period was longer due to MS. But a football game? How hard could that be? “It was the first ever football match I had played in,” she says, “– and it will be the second ever this year.”
She loved it, and says “It was awesome to be able to meet New Zealand celebrities who were also playing.” But it was a case of in at the deep end. “There were no training sessions, we collected our kit, and then it was game day!” Anita was on Sir Graham Henry’s team, and pre-game he put down a few rules about playing and staying safe. “He said we weren’t professional athletes and had to remember we had to work the next week!”
As for the aforementioned referee, well – he was on the field, but Anita reports that he was filming for social media as he was reffing. No wonder there were some dubious calls. Perhaps that’s why Sam’s “handing ref duties to a proper ref” this year.
Sam is still very much involved – this year as a player as well as talent scout. “I can still play a fuzzy game of football,” he claims. “The team colours are orange and teal, so I can see who to pass the ball to.”
As for his fellow teammates, "Well, I’m the selectors,” he says. “I call all my celebrity mates, comedians, actors and people involved in MS Auckland.” He name-drops a few: Jono of Jono and Ben fame, Shane Cortese, Pax Asadi, Bree Tomasel (New Zealand-based Australian radio host, television personality and author, perhaps best known here as a ZM presenter, described by Sam as a “secret football hooligan”), and Taskmaster Paul Williams. Sam promises spectators will see “quality celebrities and quality football”.
“We get celebrities who come to have a kick around and have fun, but the comedians rise to the competitive element introduced by ‘serious’ players.” Perhaps the presence on-field last year of Auckland Football Club (AFC) chief executive Nick Becker or a first-grade Chilean footballer contributed to that. “To have that in our little game is incredible,” says Sam.
The fundraising side of the game is crucial to keeping MS Auckland “alive and functioning", says Sam. “It makes a massive difference to the society.” The players get sponsorship from people (or companies) who then get their names on the player’s shirt. Then there’s a raffle, auction and spot prizes, with prizes and auction items donated by a range of sponsors, organisations and individuals. Sports paraphernalia is high on the list; last year, AFC season tickets were on offer, among many other items.
“It’s such a great day,” Sam enthuses. “Musicians perform in the clubrooms afterwards. And there’s the bar… The Birkenhead UFC set-up is so good; there’s a great view out over the grounds.”
Battle of the Boots, Sunday 13 September, Birkenhead United Football Club, 1-5pm
msakl.org.nz/events/battle-of-the-boots-2026
