The Phoenix women will get to spend extra time at home over Christmas after an incoming heatwave in Australia has caused the postponement of their next A-League match.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Wellington side were due to travel to South Australia on Boxing Day ahead of their match against Adelaide in Adelaide the next day.
However, with temperatures in the South Australian capital expected to be near 40 degrees on that day, the fixture has been delayed.
The Australian Professional Leagues heat policy states matches should be delayed or postponed if the ambient temperature approaches 40 degrees and/or the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) exceeds 28 dergrees.
The WBGT measures heat stress in direct sunlight.
Both the Phoenix women and men will return to training on Tuesday to start preparations for their double-header in Wellington on January 2.
The women's match against Adelaide United will be rescheduled to a yet to be announced date later in the season.