The Future Ferns Domestic Programme (FFDP) enters its third year in 2019 with a balance of experience and new talent in the squad.

The FFDP players are looking to use the momentum created by the New Zealand U-17 women’s success and the excitement of a 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup year to their benefit.

Several of the newcomers are from Leon Birnie’s squad that made history in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Uruguay when they became the first national team to claim a bronze medal at a FIFA event.  

Some have good experience in the FFDP. Goalkeeper Anna Leat, who has three caps for the Football Ferns, captain Aneka Mittendorff and attackers Gabrielle Rennie and Maggie Jenkins all return in 2019.

Others, in the form of Kelli Brown, Grace Wisnewski, Mackenzie Barry and Amelia Abbott, come into the environment for the first time fresh from making headlines on the world stage. New Zealand U-20 representative Tiana Hill also brings her talent to the FFDP for the first time.

The new players will have a wealth of experience to draw upon and learn from, as the squad includes Football Ferns Paige Satchell, Stephanie Skilton, Grace Jale and Sarah Morton.

It is an important year for the Football Ferns with all of those players focused on fighting for a place in the FIFA Women’s World Cup squad. 

There will also be a few changes to the programme led again by FFDP Head Coach Gareth Turnbull and Assistant Coach Gemma Lewis. A fulltime strength and conditioning coach and fulltime goalkeeping coach have been added to the support the players have access to. Also this year, apprentices will be named to transition younger players from the club level to the FFDP.

“We are excited to bring in some fresh faces, a new apprentices group to support their development alongside their clubs, two new members of staff as well as some subtle changes to certain components of the programme,” Turnbull says. 

It is the success of the programme that has prompted the changes and created space for new players, with a number of players graduating from the FFDP to professional contracts in 2018.

Goalkeeper Victoria Esson joined her Ferns team mate Rebekah Stott at Norwegian side Avaldsnes. Emma Rolston also linked up with a fellow Fern in the German Bundesliga for MSV Duisburg, where Meikalya Moore plays. Moore is also a graduate of the FFDP. Fellow graduate Katie Rood, who last year signed with Bristol City from Juventus, is on loan at Lewes FC in England.

The programme also saw players represent the Football Ferns for the first time, with Morton starting against Japan and at the OFC Women’s Nations Cup in New Caledonia, alongside Satchell and Jale who built on previous caps.

“Everyone involved with the FFDP is enthusiastic to begin another year as we aim to build on the strong foundations of the programme,” Turnbull says.

“I am confident we will take the FFDP to the next level whilst actively supporting the Football Ferns' programme in this hugely important year for women’s football.”

Future Ferns Domestic Programme Squad for 2019

Anna Leat (Northern Football)
Saskia Vosper (Northern Football)
Claudia Bunge (Northern Football)
Sarah Morton (Auckland Football)
Elizabeth Anton (Auckland Football)
Nicole Stratford (Northern Football)
Hannah Blake (Auckland Football)
Georgia Brown (Football South)
Maggie Jenkins (Northern Football)
Grace Wisnewski (WaiBOP Football)
Michaela Robertson (Capital Football)
Nicole Mettam (Auckland Football)
Paige Satchell (Auckland Football)
Aneka MIttendorff (Northern Football)
Grace Jale (Auckland Football)
Tiana Hill (WaiBOP Football)
Dayna Stevens (Northern Football)
Kelli Brown (WaiBOP Football)
Mackenzie Barry (Central Football)
Lily Alfeld (Northern Football)
Nadia Olla (Auckland Football)
Stephanie Skilton (Auckland Football)
Gabrielle Rennie (Mainland Football)
Amelia Abbott (Mainland Football)

Gareth Turnbull - Head Coach
Gemma Lewis - Assistant Coach
Reilly O'Meagher - Sport Scientist
TBC – Goalkeeper Coach

Article added: Friday 08 February 2019