Media Releases

"Watching the Olympics, I've always thought, ‘Imagine if there was an average Joe Lane?’” Watson said. “So, here I am.”

At 38 years old, the 6ft 1", 100kg father of three daughters proclaims himself an "all-round athlete". He's run 10km in jandals, and is also a 100m jandal sprint world record holder. He once birdied a golf hole and can carry three kids at once. He has no elite training, no pedigree—just a pair of stubbies, a sweat band, mana, and pure, reckless enthusiasm. 

Out of my League is a hilarious six-episode web series blending comedy, chaos, and competition, streaming on RNZ Video and YouTube from Monday 16 February. Each episode thrusts How to DAD into a one-on-one showdown against an Olympic athlete. From a 200m kayak sprint against sporting great Dame Lisa Carrington to flying laps on the velodrome versus Gold Medal cyclist Ellesse Andrews, javelin tosses, speed climbing, rugby skills, swimming and a heap of sweat. 

“How hard can I tackle him?” - Portia Woodman-Wickliffe

Out of my League mixes How to DAD's self-deprecating humour, reality TV energy, and athlete spotlights. The multi-camera shoot, complete with drones and slo-mo, leaves nowhere for How to DAD to hide.            

The format hooks fast: High-energy teasers of impending battle cut to candid, on-location chats where How to DAD charms exclusive insights from these icons. Forget PR polish, he asks burning questions like, "Do pro swimmers still pee in the pool?" "The bike seat hurts my bits—can I swap it?" and "Do you yell at rivals mid-race?"

“You’ll definitely fall out of the kayak” - Dame Lisa Carrington

Athletes pull back the curtain on mindset, the gruelling competition preparations, and human vulnerabilities, revealing universal truths beneath the medals.

Come for the training montages which are short lived and highly unpredictable but guarantee constant gasping through tips and stay for the high-stakes showdown that may or may not involve a cheeky head start.

"Oh. Wow." - Olympic Swimmer Erika Fairweather on witnessing How to DAD's swimming ability

Director and wannabe athlete How to DAD says creating the series has included plenty of pinch-yourself moments.

“Training with, competing against, and hearing stories from these legends—it's dream stuff. I'm tired, sore, but I’ll be buzzing for a long time yet." 

Watch all six 10-minute episodes of Out of my League on rnz.co.nz/video or YouTube from Monday 16 February. Made for RNZ by The Watson Project.