Phoenix star off to US women’s league
WELLINGTON: The Wellington Phoenix are losing one of their brightest stars, with Macey Fraser signing up with the Utah Royals on a threeyear pro contract.
The Royals are understood to have broken the women’s ALeague transfer record to sign Fraser, topping the previous best of about $100,000 when Bay FC signed Canadian Lysiaane Proulx in February.
Neither the Royals nor the Phoenix are disclosing Fraser’s contract price, but it is a dream result for the 21yearold attacking midfielder, who will play in the United States National Women’s League, one of the world’s foremost competitions.
Fraser only signed a threeyear contract with the Phoenix in August after graduating from their academy. She had since had a breakout rookie season for the Nix, scoring three goals, but also made her mark internationally, playing five matches for the Football Ferns.
‘‘It’s an unreal opportunity. I came into the [Phoenix] academy not knowing if I even wanted to play football any more, so this season has been huge for me,’’ Fraser said.
‘‘I look back at the past season and just think ‘wow, I’ve grown so much’.
‘‘Coming into professional football is really eyeopening, but I’ve learnt how to be a professional on and off the field.’’
While the Phoenix are losing a talented player, they are thrilled for her and the likely exposure it will bring to the club.
‘‘This is a red letter day for Macey and the club,’’ Phoenix director of football Shaun Gill said. ‘‘She’s been one of the best talents in New Zealand for several years and it’s great the Phoenix have been able to help her realise that potential.
‘‘Macey was one of the first women to join the club’s academy in 2021 and after one season with our ALeague programme is about to join a team playing in one of the top leagues in the world.’’
Gill said the Phoenix needed more help to develop the women’s game.
‘‘It’s fair to say we’ve almost singlehandedly built the highperformance pathway for football in New Zealand.
‘‘For the women’s game to continue to grow and in order to build on the success of last year’s Fifa Women’s World Cup there needs to be greater investment in highperformance pathways that lead to fulltime pro contracts like Macey’s.’’
Fraser will join the Utah Royals once she has secured a US work visa.