Tonight at 7pm a truly historic moment for football in New Zealand will take place as Wellington Phoenix play their debut A-League Women fixture against Western Sydney Wanderers.  

The first professional women’s side in Aotearoa represents a long-held dream realised for fans and players across the country. Finally, Kiwis get the chance see 11 players in black and yellow in both the men’s and women’s A-League competitions. 

The team will likely feature the most ever Kiwis to play in an A-League Women’s fixture. The squad has drawn heavily on talent developed in the domestic game, giving a number of players the opportunity to test themselves as part of a professional side for the first time. 

Ahead of the first ball being kicked, we’ve taken a look at the 11 professional Kiwi players in the squad and the teams that developed them:


Lily Alfeld (squad no. 1)

Captain and goalkeeper Lily Alfeld (26) is one of the most experienced members of the team, having spent last season as the No. 1 at A-League Women’s side Perth Glory. She has been part of Football Ferns squads but is yet to make her full senior debut after playing at age group level. 

Previous NZ teams include: Canterbury United Pride, Halswell United, Coastal Spirit, Forrest Hill Milford United, Western Springs, Northern Lights, East Coast Bays, Auckland Football and West Coast Rangers 


Saskia Vosper (squad no. 2)

22-year-old defender Saskia Vosper has played internationally at U17 and U20 level and was a regular in the FFDP side coached by Gemma Lewis and Natalie Lawrence. 

Previous NZ teams include: Northern Lights and Forrest Hill Millford United 


Kate Taylor (squad no. 3) 

Vice-captain at only 18-years-old, defender Kate Taylor is one of a number of former Canterbury United Pride players to join the team, where she was an ever present in the 2020 title winning season. 

Previous NZ teams include: Nomads United, Cashmere Technical and Canterbury United Pride


Mackenzie Barry (squad no. 4)

20-year-old defender Mackenzie Barry has played football and futsal, starting by representing Taranaki and Central Football. Part of the bronze medal winning team at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2018 and a regular as part of FFDP. 

Previous NZ teams include: Central Football, Forrest Hill Millford United and Northern Lights
 

Mackenzie Barry battling Grace Wisnewski for the ball when they were playing for Central and WaiBop Football. 
Copyright Photosport NZ. 

Zoe McMeeken (squad no. 15)

Only 17 years old, defender Zoe McMeeken is another player produced by Canterbury United Pride. Before joining the Nix she was part of the New World Women’s Premiership winning Coastal Spirit side that won every game of the 2021 season. 

Previous NZ teams include: Selwyn United, Halswell United, Canterbury United Pride and Coastal Spirit


Chloe Knott (squad no. 7)

At 25 years old Chloe Knott is one of the more experience members of the squad. The English born midfielder previously played for Durham Women in the FA Women’s Championship before returning to New Zealand to play in the NRFL. 

Previous NZ teams include: Forrest Hill Millford United, Nothern Lights and Northern Rovers


Grace Wisnewski (squad no. 8)

Another of the bronze medal winning side from the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in 2018, 19-year-old midfielder Grace Wisnewski has represented WaiBop in both football and futsal. She is another member of the FFDP team that trained under Gemma Lewis and Natalie Lawrence. 

Previous NZ teams include: Hamilton Wanderers, WaiBop Football 


Grace Jale (squad no. 10)

A twice capped Football Fern, 22-year-old Grace Jale brings experience to the squad from playing in the US college system for Wake Forest Demon Deacons. The midfielder has also played for the Māori Football Aotearoa side. 

Previous NZ teams include: Three Kings United, Auckland Football and Eastern Suburbs
 

Grace Jale playing for Eastern Suburbs. 
Copyright Photosport NZ. 

Te Reremoana Walker (squad no. 13)

Dunedin born Te Reremoana Walker grew up in Australia after her family relocated when she was 5. The 18-year-old midfielder spent the last three seasons with Newcastle Jets in their academy side. 

Previous NZ teams: none


Ava Pritchard (squad no. 9)

18-year-old forward Ava Pritchard is another member of the squad that previously trained with Gemma Lewis and Nataline Lawrence as part of FFDP. A key player for Northern Lights in her three national league seasons after making her debut at just 15. 

Previous NZ teams include: Norwest United, Northern Lights and Forrest Hill Milford United. 


Kelli Brown (squad no. 11)

A member of FFDP and the bronze medal winning U-17 side from 2018, Kelli Brown has been an impressive performer domestically for a number of years. The 20-year-old forward has played four seasons of national league football and will be looking to step up to lead the line for the Nix. 

Previous NZ teams include: Hamilton North, Claudelands Rovers, WaiBop Football, Hamilton Wanderers, Forrest Hill Milford United and Northern Lights. 

Article added: Friday 03 December 2021