Latest news with #NinjaA-League
Yahoo
02-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bev Priestman named head coach of Ninja A-League side Wellington Phoenix
'Today's a good day.' Those were the words of Bev Priestman as she was unveiled as the new head coach of Wellington Phoenix. She has signed a two-year deal with the Ninja A-League outfit. Durham-born Priestman is no stranger to New Zealand. Sixteen years ago, she headed up coach development in Wellington. She then went on to become New Zealand Football's director of football development. 'Coming back to New Zealand and seeing the Phoenix week in week out as the only professional women's team has been amazing,' she said following her announcement. Priestman spent stints with the Canadian U17s and U20s, before she was appointed as England assistant manager in 2018. She was part of Phil Neville's coaching staff that reached the 2019 World Cup semi-finals in France. Bev Priestman returns to coaching In 2020, Priestman returned to Canada — this time as head coach of the senior national team. She led them to Olympic gold in Tokyo before a disappointing group stage exit at the 2023 World Cup. Her time in charge of the Canadians ended in a shroud of controversy last summer. Priestman, assistant manager Jasmine Mander and analyst Joseph Lombardi were all dismissed in the wake of the 'spying' scandal when members of the backroom staff were caught flying a drone over — ironically — a New Zealand training session before their match in the Paris Olympics. Priestman was subsequently handed a one-year ban from all football related activities. Embed from Getty Images Phoenix chair, Rob Morrison was bullish on the appointment of their new manager and broader investment into the 'Nix women's side: 'This is a step up in an exciting era for the Phoenix women's team. Along with our significant ongoing investment in the women's academy programme, we have doubled our investment in the women's first team and this has resulted in us being able to recruit some great international players.' The international players Morrison is referring to include Teseel Middag and Lucía León, as well as bringing Football Ferns Victoria Esson and CJ Bott back to New Zealand from stints in Scotland and England respectively. The upcoming A-League season may just be the most intriguing one yet for the side from across The Tasman. Related articles from Her Football Hub: The importance of educational football and why we should be helping it grow Alessia Russo mural unveiled at grassroots club Bearsted FC after England Euro 2025 triumph WAFCON 2024: Nigeria complete comeback vs Morocco to secure 10th title
Scoop
25-07-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Roar Sign Exciting Young Matildas Defender Amali Kinsella On Two-Year Deal
Brisbane Roar are delighted to announce that young Queenslander Amali Kinsella has signed a two-year scholarship contract ahead of the 25/26 Ninja A-League season from the Football Queensland QAS program. Kinsella, who was a short-term injury replacement at the backend of the 24/25 season, made her A-League debut against Sydney FC in Round 17 at Leichhardt Oval. The Sunshine Coast local grew up playing at Caboolture FC in an all-boys' side, coached by her father before moving to Football Queensland's elite women's youth program where Kinsella continued to excel. In 2024, Kinsella received the Sue Monteath Award (Player of the Year) as well as the Under 18 Players' Player Award, following a standout season that saw her establish herself as a regular Brisbane Roar women's train-on player. The defender starred for Brisbane Roar in a pre-season match against the Queensland Women's State Team, securing a second-half brace. Speaking on committing her future to the club, Kinsella said: 'It's a very big privilege for me to be a part of this team. 'I've been coming to these games for so long and I've always wanted to play for Brisbane Roar. 'Getting to make my debut last year was very special. I feel like I had been working very hard up to that moment. 'I want to get as much game time as I can to take my football to the next level, so I feel like this is the perfect place for me to be.' Head Coach Alex Smith said: 'Amali has been patient and worked extremely hard to get here. 'She brings an aggressive attacking mindset to her position, which fits in perfectly with the way we want to play. 'She thoroughly deserved her debut last year, and I have no doubt she will build on that this season. 'Another young Queenslander we are expecting big things from, not only in our program but the national teams as well.' 25/26 Ninja A-League Women's Contracted Players: Chloe Lincoln, Emily Pringle, Ruby Cuthbert, Leia Varley, Momo Hayashi, Isabela Hoyos, Alicia Woods, Zara Kruger, Laini Freier, Amali Kinsella and Grace Kuilamu.
RTÉ News
27-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Sojourn Down Under rekindled Erin Healy's love for the game
Republic of Ireland recruit Erin Healy says the fun she had during her time in the the A-League in Australia brought about a renewed love for the game. Last week, the 24-year-old San Diego-born attacker was called up by Carla Ward ahead of the Nations League encounters against Turkey and Slovenia. Healy qualifies through her Clones-born grandfather Hugh McGuire, and revealed that it was a long-held ambition for her to wear the green of Ireland. Speaking to the the press from the Irish squad's base in Turkey, she said: "With my grandfather coming to the USA from Ireland, the Irish heritage has always been part of who I am. When I was in college, my coach enquired as to whether any of us had dual citizenship. "I asked my mom and she was already collecting documents. I got my citizenship (last September) and ever since then it has been my goal to play for this team. "It was an unreal experience and it was something I'd been working hard for, really hard for and it is super exciting to be here. I've already been welcomed by the coaching staff. It's a great group of people and hopefully I'll get some playing time. The team are definitely climbing, are making big strides, and I'm delighted to be part of that . "It's something that would have made my grandfather proud." Healy's arrival in Ireland comes on the back of an impressive season with Adelaide United in the Ninja A-League, where she scored eight goals and was named the team's player of the year. There was also a stint in Portugal with Club de Albergaria. The Irish boss sees Healy as a potential replacement for the injured Leanne Ward, speaking highly of the player at last week's squad announcement. "She is Australia based but soon to be European based this summer and that will help for sure. She is someone we watched quite a lot," Ward said. "If you have a look at her, she can score goals and link the play. Importantly, she has got a lot of pace and somebody we have been excited about." In assessing her own worth on the pitch, Healy admitted that she's somewhat enigmatic, when saying: "I like to be involved in a lot of the play, I like to be creative but I'm hard to read in how I play. I like to give a defender a lot to defend against, so that's what you can expect of me." The latest addition to the Irish squad has certainly gained much experience abroad and as to her future plans, she was somewhat non-committal. "We are having a few conversations but I'm focusing on this camp first". Though when pushed, Healy did say that the WSL would be "the area I'd be most interested in". Of course, there was a period when Healy was ready to walk away from the game after graduating from college with an accounting degree. Recalling the that time, she said: "I took an internship during my college years and I enjoyed the corporate world. I was scared that if you don't get your foot in there at the beginning it might be harder down the road but I also knew I wasn't done with soccer and I had more to give." Those stints in Portugal and Australia underlined that that she did indeed have more to give. "I went to the Portuguese league to see if I wanted to continue with soccer. I realised it was part of who I am and I wanted to keep it going. The Portuguese league showed that I had more potential, that I could play in different environments, and perform in those environments. "I wanted to give it one more try and see what comes of it. I found the fun again, I fell back in love with it. "Going to Australia was a big leap but I'm comfortable away from home even though I knew I'd be home sick a little bit. I met amazing people and they became my family, a family away from family. "I think I play my best when I'm having fun. In Australia I had fun every second."
