As Mark Paston flew outof South Africa with the sound of vuvuzelas still ringing in his ears, the All Whites’ incredible World Cup campaign was already beginning to feel like a dream.

In nine days, the team transformed from complete underdogs to the only undefeated team in the tournament, proving once again that nobody should ever write off the Kiwis.

But the biggest reality check for the champion goalie was waiting for him at the gates of Wellington Airport. “Jack had started crawling a few days before I left,” says Mark of his 11-month-old son, “but it was quite a shock when I turned up and he was standing there like a little boy! I did feel like I’d missed out a bit.”

But with only one day off in six weeks – and with the whole team constantly surrounded by security – Mark felt relieved that his wife, Amie, and little Jack weren’t with him.

Instead, during his time away, the soccer star had to make do with watching his son’s progress via video calls on his computer. “We’d talk most nights and Jack would jump up and down and wave his arms around until he was just a big blur, but it made me feel good to see him,” says Mark (33), softly. “I think he knew it was me.”

In the meantime, Amie (32) had her work cut out for her operating as a solo parent while Mark was away. “I came down with the flu just after Mark left and some days I was so knackered I’d just lie on the floor and let Jack play around me,” she tells.

“It was hard, but I felt differently about this trip because it was so important. Making it to the World Cup was such an amazing accomplishment and it’s so rare for New Zealand to be a part of that.

“When Mark first got back, Jack wasn’t too sure who he was,” she continues, “but now he’s following him round like a puppy dog. Whenever Mark’s in the room, Jack’s wandering after him. It’s very sweet to watch.”

Despite his joy at being reunited with his family, the athlete admits that returning to normality hasn’t been easy. “You do feel a bit flat afterwards because you spend all that time together as a team and play all these big games, and then you go your separate ways. Plus, there’s the transition of getting back to your old lifestyle. I’d been in hotels for the past six weeks and suddenly I was home with this little boy flying around the house. It’s completely different.”

Amie nods and adds, “Going to the World Cup is something all young footballers dream about. It’s the ultimate stage to be playing on so I knew there would be a real adjustment period when he came home. Plus, the team live in each other’s pockets and have their own little footballing family while they’re away. They were busy texting each other a lot in the days afterwards. I just tried to give Mark the space he needed.

“We love being parents,” she continues, “but it has been tricky for Mark, having to dip in and out. Being a footballer is not like doing a nine-to-five job and having the weekends free.

“He’s such a great dad and seeing him and Jack together is wonderful. It makes you love your partner even more when you see the way they parent. You get to see the more playful, softer side of them. Not that Mark didn’t show that,” she laughs. “He’s not like one of those tough rugby guys...”

Mark looks admiringly at his wife and adds, “I think it’s much harder to be the mum. There are lots of challenges thrown at you. I see Amie jumping over so many hurdles and I don’t think she gives herself enough credit. Probably most mums don’t. It’s a hard, hard job.”

Amie, who previously worked in communications, says returning to her career is not an option right now. “I can’t commit to going back to work because it has to be full time – and with the kind of job that Mark has, it just wouldn’t work. I’m always busy though, which is why I can cope well when he’s away. The fact that you can’t predict how your day is going to go does make it more stimulating. Of course you try and maintain some level of control but really everything is dictated by your baby!”

Mark adds, “I know part of her misses working, but we’ve talked about it and I know Amie just loves being a mum.” Being a father has also benefitted Mark’s approach to the game. “It helps you deal with the pressure,” he explains, “because it makes you realise football’s not the be all and end all. I think that’s one of the good things about the All Whites squad – people have studied, held different jobs and lived real lives.”

Despite maintaining this sense of perspective, Mark admits that bowing out of the World Cup after three draws was hard for the team to take. “I’m still disappointed we didn’t get through to the second round. That would have sent shock waves round the world because people thought we were going to get battered.

“We never wrote ourselves off, though. We were a bunch of guys who were willing to go out there and fight for each other. All the glitz and glamour of the event is nice but what made the tournament is how well we got along and how we took that out on to the pitch.”

Now, says Amie, the couple are at last enjoying the chance to catch their breath. “We’re not sure where to next because we’ve been working towards this for so long – it’s been hard to see beyond it. We’ll wait and see what comes up. Being married to a footballer, you always end up changing cities or countries and I don’t have a problem with that.”

And expanding the family is also on the cards. “We definitely want more than one child,” says Amie.
“Maybe three or four, but who knows?” Meanwhile, Mark is loving the time he can now spend with his wife and child and has noticed a few family traits coming through in his wee boy. “We both get quite cranky when we don’t get our food!” he laughs. “But really I just see him as Jack – he’s his own little man.”

He looks proudly at the small person dashing around in front of him and says, “Hopefully in a few years time he’ll know I played in the World Cup. I don’t think he has a clue about our success and I like that about him. Win or lose, I’m the same old person to him.”