Wellington Phoenix overcome lightning strike, penalty shootout for Australia Cup win in Perth
Academy graduate Lukas Kelly-Heald scored the decisive spot kick as the Phoenix beat the Perth Glory 8-7 in the shootout, played in driving rain at the Olympic Stadium
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Phoenix sign Football Ferns defender with 'big engine' on two year deal
New Phoenix signing CJ Bott. Photo: PHOTOSPORT Football Ferns defender CJ Bott is returning home to Wellington signing a two year deal with the Phoenix in the women's A-League competition. Bott has spent the past four seasons playing for Leicester City in the Women's Super League in England. Bott, 30, has 50 caps for New Zealand and joins fellow national teammates Vic Esson, Grace Jale, Mackenzie Barry and Manaia Elliott in the Phoenix squad. The club had also recruited Nepal's all-time leading goal scorer Sabitra Bhandari, Dominican Republic captain Lucía León and 44-time Dutch international Tessel Middag, as well as re-signing Lebanon defender Tiana Jaber. Bott was new coach Bev Priestman's first signing since being appointed Phoenix head coach. "She has played consistently in the WSL, which is a top league, and has experience playing at Olympic Games and World Cups, and I don't think you can buy that," said Priestman. Bott grew up in the Wellington suburb of Karori and played her club football at Waterside Karori. "In terms of her attributes she's got a big engine, loves defending but also brings some real quality and tempo on the ball including assisting us to get on the scoresheet. "To be honest I think CJ could play multiple positions and she'll allow us to be really adaptable in what we do and when we do it." Wellington Phoenix coach Bev Priestman. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Bott said she had wanted to play for the Phoenix since the women's team was established in 2021. "To be able to come back to Wellington and play professionally for the Phoenix in my hometown is really special. I didn't have that dream when I was a kid. We didn't have a women's team to aspire to....I'm proud to be part of the club. She said the Phoenix offer came at the right time. "I had a few options after leaving Leicester and I looked around a little bit, but after being home for the past two months I didn't really want to leave. It's nice for me and my partner to be able to establish some roots and be closer to family and friends. "It's also great to know what I'm doing for the next couple of years leading into the next World Cup." Bott will join the Wellington Phoenix for the start of pre-season early next month, with the A-League season kicking off on October 31. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
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7 days ago
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Wellington Phoenix hire new controversial coach
The Wellington Phoenix have hired the former Canadian coach at the centre of the Olympic drone scandal in 2024. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen. Tags: To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
RNZ News
7 days ago
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'I didn't leave my house for a month': New Phoenix coach after drone spying scandal
New Wellington Phoenix Women's Coach Bev Priestman Photo: Marty Melville / PHOTOSPORT New Wellington Phoenix women's coach Bev Priestman says she didn't feel safe in Canada and has found a haven in New Zealand. Priestman was on Wednesday confirmed as the Phoenix coach for the next two A-League seasons. She was dumped as head coach of the Canada women's team and banned for a year from football following the drone scandal at last year's Paris Olympics when the Canadians were caught spying on the Football Ferns. Priestman said she regrets what happened. "I'm a very optimistic person and there have been days over the last 12 months where that optimism has been very difficult and I know I have to earn the trust over everybody and I'll be working hard to do that." Priestman and her family moved back to New Zealand last year. Her wife played for New Zealand and her son is a Kiwi. While she acknowledged she had to live with what happened, they had no hesitation in leaving Canada. "I didn't leave my house for a month. "I didn't feel safe, it was very difficult for my family, but I have to wear that. "It was a media frenzy with people knocking on your door, we knew we had to get out of that country and focus on family." Priestman spent 10 years in New Zealand early in her coaching career before heading to North America. On returning to New Zealand she and her family spent the first few months in North Canterbury before heading to Wellington. It was not until the New Year that she started thinking about football again but said her experience in Paris had changed her. "When you've been through something (like that) it does have an impact and for me I am a more well-rounded coach and when I'm working with players I think I'll have a greater empathy for people who have had situations in their life." Phoenix Director of Football Shaun Gill and Phoenix Women's Coach Bev Priestman. Photo: Marty Melville / PHOTOSPORT Priestman has been delighted with the reaction she has got since her return. "People know my character, things happen in life and not everyone is perfect and I'll reflect and grow on that. "To get phone calls from current and former Football Ferns and welcome me with open arms that is really special and why I love New Zealand." For now it is about building trust. "I was so excited (with Wednesday's announcement), but also a little bit traumatized from the media side of things. "I tried to stay out of the spotlight but now I'm back in it, but I can't wait to get back to work." Like most things in life Priestman said she had learnt from what she had gone through over the last year. "When you've been through something like that it's important to reflect and grow and now I'm ready. "Now I feel ready, I've got that itch and today feels like Christmas for me." The A-League women's season kicks off in late October. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
