Alyssa Whinham of the Wellington Phoenix. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Wellington Phoenix have sent out a call for fans to get behind the women's team, but realise they will play a big part in that happening.
The Phoenix women open their third campaign on Sunday when they host perennial contenders Melbourne City at Sky Stadium.
After being the also ran team in their first two seasons in the women's A-League, now is the time for the Phoenix to make an impression and the only way to go is up.
They were last in their inaugural season with two wins and followed that up with three wins last season, but another wooden spoon.
The squad definitely looks stronger this season with hope that overseas recruits Hailey Davidson, Hope Breslin and Mariana Speckmaier will add the x-factor.
Director of Football Shaun Gill said while the women's budget this season had been about the same as previous years, they've been able to spend in a different way.
"The last couple of seasons with it being new there was some relocation expense money that we put into a lot of the contracts," Gill said.
"This time round that's not the case and we've been able to reallocate that into some other areas like the visa [foreign-non Australasian] players."
Wellington Phoenix player Mackenzie Barry signs autographs. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Team staff have been encouraged by their preseason performances in Australia when they played Newcastle and Central Coast.
Paul Temple is the third head coach in three years, and he knows they have to play some exciting football to attract the fans.
"Fans need to be engaged with the team and I want the team to inspire the next generation," Temple said.
"I want young girls to look at the Phoenix and say I want to play like them. I want to be excited by how we play."
The Phoenix were hoping that the recent World Cup in Australia and New Zealand would have an immediate impact on the interest in the women's game, but that hasn't resulted in an increase in ticket sales or memberships.
The club describes sales as sluggish, which has left general manager David Dome dumbfounded.
"I was hoping there would be at least some momentum from the World Cup," he said.
"It was incredible to see more than 230,000 fans attend matches in Wellington during the tournament and yet the city's own team, which is the only professional football club in Aotearoa, is really struggling for support.
"These wāhine are fantastic ambassadors for the sport and Wellington and they deserve the public's support," Dome said.
The Phoenix decided to play six of their home games this season at the smaller Jerry Collins Stadium in Porirua.
Wellington Phoenix football fans. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
New club captain Annalie Longo hopes the move will help keep the connection the Football Ferns made with the fans during the World Cup.
"Getting that boutique feeling where we can get schools and kids down and that community type of feel to the game is important," Longo said.
The women's A-League contains 12 teams this season with the return of the Central Coast Mariners.
The first aim for the Phoenix will be to avoid the wooden spoon for a third straight year, with those within the club aiming for a top six finish and an appearance in the play-offs.
Wellington Phoenix women's squad for the 2023-24 A-League
Goalkeepers; Brianna Edwards, Rylee Ann Foster.
Midfielders; Annalie Longo, Hope Breslin, Chloe Knott, Grace Wisnewski, Alyssa Whinham, Macey Fraser, Olivia Ingham and Daisy Brazendale.
Defenders; Hailey Davidson, Michaela Foster, Kate Taylor, Mackenzie Barry, Marisa van der Meer, Rebecca Lake, Zoe McMeeken and Manaia Elliott.
Forwards; Mariana Speckmaier, Emma Main, Michaela Robertson and Kelli Brown.