NZ team in W-league ‘vital’

phillip.rollo@stuff.co.nz

Football Ferns star Annalie Longo is encouraging Wellington Phoenix to field a team in the W-league in order to create a professional pathway for female footballers in New Zealand.

The experienced midfielder has signed to play for Melbourne Victory but at this stage is the only New Zealand player registered to one of the nine Australian clubs.

It will be Longo’s second stint in the W-league, having played for Sydney FC in 2012-13.

‘‘A New Zealand team based off something like the Phoenix would really help the growth of women’s football in New Zealand,’’ she said.

‘‘The more players that can be professionally overseas and in good environments is only going to improve New Zealand football, and you can only do that overseas at this point, which is a shame.

‘‘Maybe if there was a W-league side from New Zealand, the Phoenix or something, then it would be a stepping stone.’’

Despite being good enough to play professionally overseas, Longo’s personal situation has kept the 28-yearold in Christchurch during the prime years of her career.

In recent seasons she has played for National Women’s League side Canterbury United Pride and worked for Mainland Football.

‘‘My circumstance is a little different with a partner and two kids so that for me changed what I did and also securing the role at Mainland Football was a good stepping stone,’’ she said.

However, after acknowledging that she needed to be playing at a higher standard if she wanted to make the cut for next year’s Olympic Games, Longo decided to accept Victory’s offer for the 2019-20 season and moved to Melbourne to give her the best chance of selection.

‘‘We came back from the World

Cup and had a bit of a reflection and I just knew that the Olympics was a goal of mine and to do that I need to be playing competitive football.’’

Phoenix general manager David Dome has made no secret of his desire for the club to field a team in the W-league in the future, but right now they are one of only three A-league clubs without representation in the women’s competition.

Longo hopes that will change soon, saying it is ‘‘vital’’ for New Zealand to have a professional club for women’s players to strive towards. Not only would it provide greater opportunities for women to make a career out of the game, but it would increase the exposure of the sport in New Zealand and strengthen the national team.

‘‘It would be that next level for New Zealand players who come out of the National Women’s League,’’ Longo said. ‘‘That means the Football Ferns can come home or be a lot closer to home.

‘‘With all the players now based overseas sometimes it’s hard to get players home and showcase the talent and all the good things we are doing,’’ she said.

The Football Ferns are currently in China participating in a four-team invitational tournament.