Erceg ends exile from NZ team

Abby Erceg’s return from retirement to the Football Fern was prompted by ‘‘a number of things’’, including a shift in the governing body’s attitude and a change of coach.

The country’s most-capped player has been included in the squad for a pair of friendlies against Scotland in Spain next month, and was joined in coming out of retirement by striker Sarah Gregorius.

Erceg announced her retirement from international football last February, citing a lack of support from New Zealand Football for the team’s domesticbased players and the women’s game as a whole.

Yesterday, the 28-year-old said a shift in NZ Football’s attitude had been a key factor in her return.

‘‘I think New Zealand Football have really stepped up in response to some of the things that I said last year, which has been really good. They’ve got the development programme in for the younger players, and the [collective bargaining] negotiations at the moment are a huge step in the right direction.

‘‘Although things can’t change immediately, I think that because they are taking steps in the right direction, they have heard and are willing to make changes, I think it’s becoming a really positive environment and something I want to step back into.’’

Erceg has only missed four matches while retired, but in that time, the Football Ferns have had a change of coach, with national technical director Andreas Heraf replacing Tony Readings.

Readings resigned in November after six years at the helm, having decided it ‘‘probably [was] a good time for someone to come in and put some new thoughts and methods in there,’’ despite having two years to go on his contract.