Clay Wilson

She was born in Los Angeles but the new Football Ferns captain is a proud Kiwi. reports.

You get the feeling Ali Riley is the type who wears her heart on her sleeve. It is easy to see why, then, she wells up as she reflects on her journey to the captaincy of the Football Ferns.

Confirmed to replace the retired Abby Erceg yesterday, Riley’s route to the leadership of the New Zealand women’s football team has not been conventional.

Having grown up in Los Angeles to a Kiwi father, a thick American accent gives no indication to her level of pride when asked how it feels to be the new New Zealand captain, with more than 100 caps to her name.

‘‘Just hearing that I feel like I’m going to start crying,’’ the 29-yearold wing-back said from Sweden, win at the Cyprus Cup.

Although that left much to be done, Riley preferred to look at it as an exciting chance for the team to take steps forward and begin to realise their true potential.

She also praised a newlyimplemented domestic programme, designed to bridge the gap between the Ferns’ overseas professionals and many of the New Zealand-based players, and boost their chances of getting professional contracts.

‘‘It’s hard for me being a pro player overseas to understand what that situation is like, and I want to have close communication with those players.

‘‘Obviously, we want everyone in the best club environment and playing professionally but it is