Phoenix women break new ground
The 5213 paying customers didn’t get a hometown win but they became part of New Zealand football history
TFOOTBALL
he Wellington Phoenix women have made history in the first game of professional women’s football in Aotearoa. A crowd of 5213 attended the Phoenix’s 2022-23 A-League season opener at Sky Stadium in Wellington on Sunday, for a match Melbourne City won 4-1.
It’s a record attendance for an standalone regular season A-League women’s match.
After a tight, scoreless first half, City scored twice shortly after halftime, before adding another two goals in quick succession midway through the second half.
Ava Pritchard, scorer of the Phoenix women’s first-ever goal last season, found the back of the net with a deflected strike in the 82nd minute, which ultimately was just a consolation.
Head coach Natalie Lawrence refused to let the defeat take away from the historic event.
“I have a huge sense of pride and I’m proud of the players,” Lawrence said.
“If you look back on the day as a whole, it’s going to be a memorable one for these players and their families.
“This game has been such a remarkable moment in history.
“In the chairman’s lounge there were countless ex-Ferns, who have either never played professional football or have had to play overseas for a number of years, and now we can play here and now we can have fans here,” Lawrence said.
“That’s what the day was about for us. It’s about inspiring all the little girls and boys that were out there getting all of the players’ autographs.
“While we want to have a more complete performance on the field, I don’t want it to overshadow how momentous this day is.”
Lawrence reserved special praise for those who came to watch.
“Last year we probably played in front of six people, so we knew that whatever we got today was going to be history-making.
While we want to have a more complete performance on the field, I don’t want it to overshadow how momentous this day is.
Natalie Lawrence
“The crowd and the fans were incredible. Four-nil down and they’re still pushing us every second of the way.
“Playing in front of the home fans is something that spurred the girls on to not let it get worse.
“I thought the crowd were amazing today and I hope they continue to support us throughout the season.”
Natalie Lawrence handed Phoenix debuts to Marisa van der Meer, Betsy Hassett, Paige Satchell and Michaela Foster, while Brianna Edwards got the nod in goal in Lily Alfeld’s absence, with Kate Taylor leading the side.
The Wellington Phoenix women will return to Sky Stadium on Saturday to host competition newcomers Western United.