Lawence to coach Nix as Lewis heads to Wales
Wellington Phoenix have been forced to appoint a new coach less than 10 weeks out from the start of the A-league Women season after first year coach Gemma Lewis was snapped up by the Welsh FA.
Lewis, who also coached the New Zealand under-20 women’s team, has confirmed she is returning home after nine years in New Zealand to take up a role as the senior pathway manager for women’s football at the Football Association of Wales, where she will have the opportunity to study towards her Uefa Pro Licence.
Lewis has been replaced by her assistant from last season, Natalie Lawrence, in a move that should minimise the disruption such a significant coaching change this close to the start of the season would have otherwise created.
The Phoenix have already announced 13 of their likely 18 fully contracted players for the coming season, including new recruits Betsy Hassett, Paige Satchell and Marisa van der Meer, but Lawrence was heavily involved in the recruitment process and has helped Lewis shape the squad for 2022-23.
‘‘It’s an amazing opportunity to take charge of the Phoenix and one that I can’t wait to start,’’ said Lawrence, who also served as Lewis’ right-hand woman during New Zealand’s Under-20 Women’s World Cup campaign and with the Future Ferns Domestic Programme.
‘‘Having been part of the team last year and seeing them grow, to now be able to bring the team back to New Zealand and play games in Wellington, which I definitely consider to be my Kiwi home, is incredibly exciting.
‘‘Gemma will be massively missed amongst the staff and the players, and we’ll try and do her proud this season. But we’re really excited for what she’s going to be doing in Wales.’’
Lewis led a young Phoenix team during its inaugural season in the A-league Women and she did a commendable job in difficult circumstances.
Although the Phoenix finished bottom of the table, they picked up a couple of wins and a draw to finish level on points with Western Sydney Wanderers and were regularly praised by opposition coaches for their performances.
Lewis received the offer from the Welsh FA prior to the Under-20 Women’s World Cup and said the chance to work in Europe was one she could not refuse.
‘‘Being able to work in women’s football in Europe right now is huge and the opportunity to do my pro licence as well is something that was a big pull for me,’’ Lewis said.
‘‘The cherry on the cake is I get to return home. I’ve been away from Wales for nine years.
‘‘The opportunity to do all that and go home and spend a bit more time with my family all rolled into a package that was too hard to turn down.’’