The first year of marriage for Crusaders rugby legend Mitch Drummond and former netballer Charlotte might have been more of a whirlwind than they anticipated, but this energetic Canterbury couple is taking it all in their stride.
Just weeks after saying “I do” in December 2024, the loved-up sports stars discovered they were about to become a team of three.
“We wanted to start a family straightaway,” smiles former Mainland Tactix player Charlotte, 29.
“But we definitely didn’t expect it to happen quite so fast! We’re so lucky.”
Ever since his arrival in September last year, their adorable “happy wee boy” Theodore has seamlessly slotted into their busy sporting lives. Teddy, as he’s known, was just three days old when he experienced his first plane ride to Nelson. Two days later, he was on the sidelines with Charlotte watching as Mitch’s Tasman team ran onto the field in the National Provincial Championship.
A sporting start for Teddy
“Teddy already has an Airports number,” jokes halfback Mitch, 32, who made his All Blacks debut in 2017.
It’s a fitting start for a little boy born into two sports- mad families. Both Mitch and Charlotte are fiercely competitive athletes, with Mitch winning eight Super Rugby titles with the Crusaders and playing over 150 games for the team, and Charlotte (née Elley) being the longest-serving member of the Tactix, playing 96 games before having her final season in the ANZ Premiership in 2023 with Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic.
Pregnancy didn’t slow Charlotte down
She even competed in a Half Ironman when she was 10 weeks pregnant with Teddy.
“I’d been training since the previous October and had come too far to stop,” she explains.
“The athlete in me never really switched off, even during pregnancy. I was still running with Mitch two days before Teddy was born.”
Growing up in a competitive home
Mitch continues, “We’re obviously a very competitive household, so I don’t think Teddy has much hope in that regard. He’ll probably be competing with us as soon as he can!”
While the couple is keen to introduce their adorable son to all their favourite activities, Mitch admits he has a particular sport in mind.
First steps on the golf course
“I can’t wait to get on the golf course with him one day,” he grins.
But while swinging clubs together is some time away, the pair is adamant their lives haven’t slowed down too much since Teddy’s arrival.
“We haven’t really stopped doing what we normally do,” Mitch admits.
“The little man just comes with us now.”
Teddy’s smile lights up everyone’s day
Charlotte adds, “It’s been amazing to see how much joy he has brought everyone. He’s Mitch’s parents’ first grandchild and his dad comes home early from work just to see him. Teddy smiles at everyone, even strangers!”
While Mitch and Charlotte first met seven years ago at an event, love didn’t blossom instantly. In fact, it was a year before Charlotte finally “gave in”.
Mitch laughs, “She made me work for it!”
Four years into their relationship, the rugby star decided to kick for touch. In July 2024, while the couple was on a campervan trip around the South Island, visiting Charlotte’s hometown of Westport, he popped the question.
A rainy West Coast proposal
“I asked Charlotte’s old man, then took her to Carters Beach the next day and proposed,” Mitch tells.
“It was a typical rainy West Coast winter’s day, but it all went swimmingly.”
Just over a year and a half later, the lovebirds enjoyed a summer wedding in Mitch’s parents’ Nelson backyard, followed by a “massive party” at local museum Founders Heritage Park.
“Most of our guests were from the sporting world, along with our school friends,” shares Charlotte.
“It was such a great day. Lots of people said it was the best wedding they’d ever been to.”
Mitch adds with a grin, “I want to do it all over again!”
Back on court
After retiring from top-level netball, Charlotte – who for several years has worked in administration and sales for ANZCO Foods – coached her old team Technical A to the Premier 1 Championship in Christchurch last year. This winter, she’ll be back on court for the team.
While Mitch admits he’s closer to the end of his career with the Crusaders than the start, he’s still enjoying every day with his teammates.
Rugby, family, and everyday joy
“I love my time at Rugby Park, which is even better now I get to come home to Teddy and Mum!”
Admitting it’s a bit daunting to think about life beyond the Crusaders, he’s open to future opportunities to play overseas and in the past few years, he has branched into hospitality, co-owning two Canterbury bars.
Learning beyond the game
“I have a great business partner and have learnt a lot over the last five or six years,” he tells.
“I started playing rugby when I was 20, so it’s been good to have my eyes opened to something outside sport too.”
When it comes to expanding their family, Charlotte doesn’t hesitate.
She smiles, “I said straight after Teddy was born, ‘Can we have another one?’ We both grew up in loving, sporty families and we’d love to raise our kids the same way, being as active as we can.”
Both are frank that life has been a learning curve with a new baby on board, but they’re taking it in their stride.
“When Teddy looks up and smiles at us, we feel like we might just be doing something right,” says Mitch.
