‘‘I’m a Wellington Phoenix supporter – but the W-League [is where] I would like to play eventually.’’ Ferns prodigy Claudia Bunge sets sights on Oz
Football Ferns defender Claudia Bunge is ready to tackle a new challenge overseas, one year after introducing herself on the international stage with a commanding debut performance against China.
Although she is gearing up for another ISPS Handa Women’s Premiership season with beaten finalists Northern Lights, the 21-year-old Aucklander is close to finalising a move to Australia’s W-League and could be whisked away before the domestic campaign ends.
The Sunday Star-Times understands Melbourne Victory have tabled an offer to sign Bunge, who is a Wellington Phoenix supporter, but does not have a professional team to play for in New Zealand.
The seven-team national league kicks off on October 31 and runs through to December 20, one week before the
2020- 21
W-League season is scheduled to start.
‘‘I have been talking with a club over in Australia. I’m just working through a few final things in that field,’’ Bunge said. ‘‘I’m really hoping to go for this coming season, but if not, definitely for the following season.
‘‘ Ever since the W-League started I’ve been watching it and I keep up with the A-League quite closely as well – I’m a Wellington Phoenix supporter – but the W-League is a league that I definitely identified as a league that I would like to play in eventually, so hopefully I can do that soon.’’
A standout for Northern Lights, who have been beaten by champions Canterbury United Pride in the past two national finals, Bunge produced an eyecatching performance on debut for New Zealand last year, after being called up to replace injured centreback Meikayla Moore.
Making the transition to the international game look easy, she was then kept on for the Algarve Cup in Portugal, and started in three of the four matches, only missing one through suspension. Looking back on a breakout past 12 months, which culminated with Bunge being named women’s young player-of-the-year at the recent NZ Football awards, the Massey
University student, who juggles football, study and work, said she was delighted by her progress.
‘‘ Getting that call- up to the China tour was pretty amazing, I wasn’t really expecting it so it took quite awhile for me to process it,’’ she said.
‘‘But once I was on tour with all the girls and the coaching staff, it was amazing and I really enjoyed myself. It was a challenging environment for sure, but I knew a few of the girls, and even some of the coaches from the national league.
‘‘I thought I played okay that first game but I guess the main thing is just backing it up because it doesn’t really mean much if you have one good game. I’m wanting to cement my place in that team long-term, so I need to keep building on performances like that one in China and just be as consistent as possible.’’
Now regarded as one of the country’s brightest talents, Bunge said she keen to continue her upward trajectory ahead of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play at a World Cup on home soil in 2023, and hoped an imminent move to the W-League would help cement herself in the Football Ferns frame, given centreback is a rare area of strength for New Zealand.
‘‘I’m really keen to make that next step into professional football,’’ she said. ‘‘I think it will be best for me leading up to the Olympics, and also looking ahead further to the 2023 World Cup.
‘‘ . . . so this next phase will be really important for my preparation for those two massive events.’’