Yes most work other jobs part time, there 28k for some who have degrees and educated, work to supplement the shortfall. All knew how much there contracts were offered when they signed so no surprises. 28k is decent to play football for a few months. I dont see that as an issue, it was never going to be a full time gig earning huge corporate salaries 40+hrs. Some younger players dont have an education left year13 with a dream, so 28k is great for them to try establish themselves, there is a cultural issue within the club clearly as in any sporting team or job. I suspect it is more the enviroment than salary cap. At the end of the day if you can earn more money in a full time job, you have a degree, then you would give the op out option serious consideration. Fenix
Whinham will be next out. Knott was on verge of NZ team too,and touted as phoenix captain too. It's all very strange.
Sounds like they are paid peanuts. I can't see how the training and travel requirements leave time for any other work, during the season after least. Does anyone else work another job,i haven't seen Mack Barry down at Countdown in the evenings?
over 2 years ago· edited over 2 years ago· History
Sticky situation driven by a need to survive financially in the end. So much more important for someone in the 25+ age group (probably younger). I have been a professional athlete (as in getting paid peanuts, not the big bucks that allowed me to play full time) and I never once complained to myself or anyone else that there were others that played the same sport as me (albeit at a way higher level) that got paid more than me. For myself and those that wanted to make a living from the game, we were grateful for the opportunity on the lowest rung of the ladder. Up to us and lady luck to go further and earn that living. I was lucky in that I had a non-sporting career throughout and that made it easier to accept I would not achieve sporting greatness and concentrate on my business career that served me very well up until retirement at 65. Knott has a degree and probably a reasonably lucrative career path outside of football and her age (is she 26/27?) so a more obvious future available to her than someone with nothing but football as a life qualification. I think it is better for the athlete to be reasonably compensated as that gives them more wiggle room (time) in terms of going to the next level but most will probably fall off anyway and the extra cash will only delay the inevitable.
Longo only teased us really when she mentioned preseason talks and I think that probably relates to compensation rather than team culture at that early stage.
Sticky situation driven by a need to survive financially in the end. So much more important for someone in the 25+ age group (probably younger). I have been a professional athlete (as in getting paid peanuts, not the big bucks that allowed me to play full time) and I never once complained to myself or anyone else that there were others that played the same sport as me (albeit at a way higher level) that got paid more than me. For myself and those that wanted to make a living from the game, we were grateful for the opportunity on the lowest rung of the ladder. Up to us and lady luck to go further and earn that living. I was lucky in that I had a non-sporting career throughout and that made it easier to accept I would not achieve sporting greatness and concentrate on my business career that served me very well up until retirement at 65. Knott has a degree and probably a reasonably lucrative career path outside of football and her age (is she 26/27?) so a more obvious future available to her than someone with nothing but football as a life qualification. I think it is better for the athlete to be reasonably compensated as that gives them more wiggle room (time) in terms of going to the next level but most will probably fall off anyway and the extra cash will only delay the inevitable.
Longo only teased us really when she mentioned preseason talks and I think that probably relates to compensation rather than team culture at that early stage.
Yeah, and i think we can all understand that the demands of being a professional athelte - even "part time" are way higher than any 9-5 job. So from that point I understand that getting $25k-$30k for a season isnt fantastic and the stress of that and working another pat time job to suppliment your income must be tough. Unfotunately the women's competition isnt at a point where it can have a salary cap as high as the men's league. That's down to the APL and sponsors. It will come. I cant recall what the salary cap was for the old men's comp but I'm sure it was a lot less than the current $2.3m. Hopefully all the clubs are pushing equal salary caps for both leagues. It has to be sustainable though or else both leagues fail and then there is no professional leagues in Australiasia.
Forward Isabel Cox joins the Nix for the remainder of the 2023-24 Liberty A-League, days after finishing her fifth season at the University of North Carolina (UNC)
Cox has officially been signed as an injury replacement for midfielder Wisnewski, but she is a more attack-minded player that will likely be deployed up front or on the wing for the Phoenix.
“I’m tall, I’m 5’10, and I like to think that I’m fast,” Cox said.
“I love to cross the ball in and find good seams to pass to people, but my favourite thing to do is get the ball, face up and take someone on 1 v 1.
“I’ve been watching highlights of the team and I think I’ll definitely be able to add a lot to this team and work with these players really well. I think the Phoenix fits my style of play a lot.”
After making 110 appearances for UNC, the third most in NCAA history, Cox decided to forgo next year’s National Women’s Soccer League draft and begin her professional career immediately in the A-League Women.
Some of the biggest names in women’s football have come out of UNC, including US World Cup winners Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly, Crystal Dunn and Tobin Heath, current England stars Russo and Lucy Bronze, and Football Ferns centurion Katie Bowen.
over 2 years ago· edited over 2 years ago· History
And a final word on Knott. Some speculation on the latest Fever pod, that the 'values/culture issue' stated by Chloe may relate to something in season 1 or 2. Maybe involving a staff member no longer at the club. Yes is interesting that Longo mentions her & Knott discussed something troubling CK at the start of the season. Plus Rylee Foster staying she can't speak for any issues at the club before she arrived.
Anyway as someone else on the Pod said, it's not really our business to pry, and hopefully Knott moves on to find her happy place. And as Longo said if there is one piece of good news, it's that the club will have taken some learnings. The Women's team is only 2.5 years old, so yeah the club won't have got everything perfect in these early days.
Looks like an impressive signing. But her latest season stats for North Carolina aren't overly stand out. Albeit I don't know much about college football in US. Played all 21 games by the looks, but only started 1 game. Played an average of about 25mins per game. (So a regular second half sub by the looks) For 6 shots at goal. 0 assists and 0 goals. Her 2022 stats made much better reading, with goals and assists. But all the media says North Carolina play in the top tier of US college soccer so I'm not sure what to make of all that. Looks like a winger so will push Main, Elliot and Robertson for playing time. Although by the looks she may not be match conditioned for 90min atm. Will definitely add to the attack. But its at the other end of the field that has me concerned about depth at the moment.
You generally don't want to read too much into the little details, but it was interesting to hear Isabel Cox mention that she was due to move in and live with with the three Americans in Wellington. It could, of course, be a particularly roomy abode paired with a meaningless omission – but wouldn't that otherwise imply that Alyssa Whinham has moved out?
Yeah, I am the same. I watched the video and like you didn't want to go into the little details but was interesting about her moving in I guess does imply that Whinham had moved out.cheesecake
You generally don't want to read too much into the little details, but it was interesting to hear Isabel Cox mention that she was due to move in and live with with the three Americans in Wellington. It could, of course, be a particularly roomy abode paired with a meaningless omission – but wouldn't that otherwise imply that Alyssa Whinham has moved out?
Find it pretty interesting to read some of the comments on Temple's manager of the month post on Instagram. Specifically, this one received likes from a few of Chloe's friends including Chloe's partner's company page. Leads me to think it was more a falling out between the two?
If they genuinely think Chloe Knott was the best player in the team, well everything they say after that has to be taken with a tonne of very biased salt. Wish Knott all the best, but time to move on.
If they genuinely think Chloe Knott was the best player in the team, well everything they say after that has to be taken with a tonne of very biased salt. Wish Knott all the best, but time to move on.
If there’s a belief that Knott was better than the imports or deserved more than she was getting that’s got to feed into things in some way.
For all Rudan’s Rudanishness I remember one thing he did was dispense with senior players as a leadership group.
His idea was that any and all players should show leadership on the field and if a younger player wanted to let an older know they weren’t happy with eg tracking back or shutting down a player then they should be doing that.
I think back as well to Hudson clearing out some senior players. In fact Brockie himself compared it to the way Pep is unrelenting with discontent and cuts off players who might spread unhappiness in a squad. And he was one of the guys who got cleared out, with Mossy and a couple of others.
Performance wise it’s been a good year and to a simple fan it seems like Knott was a big part of that. It is hard to see her discontent in her or the team’s performances.
Another aspect that hasn’t been explored, perhaps because it doesn’t apply, is a situation where there are things like bonuses for minutes or games started and a player begins to feel that’s a factor in selection.
Find it pretty interesting to read some of the comments on Temple's manager of the month post on Instagram. Specifically, this one received likes from a few of Chloe's friends including Chloe's partner's company page. Leads me to think it was more a falling out between the two?
If they genuinely think Chloe Knott was the best player in the team, well everything they say after that has to be taken with a tonne of very biased salt. Wish Knott all the best, but time to move on.
Yep best she moved on. Attitudes like that aren’t good for team culture
over 2 years ago· edited over 2 years ago· History
The biggest change from previous seasons has been the teams intent, which is a huge platform for the teams culture. Year 1 & 2 when NZF were involved the team was all about development of NZ players. To the point were I thought there was a bias towards picking NZ players in starting squads for development purposes. And results were almost second priority to this. Where as this year, winning and getting results seem the priority and that is reflected in the selection of starting XI squads. With some promising NZers not being able to make match day squads. That's a big shift in mentality and culture of the team. I can see this would be difficult for some to adjust to, especially those that have been there from the beginning.
I think I can see all sides. Partner has a business in Auckland and they wish to live there. Have one house mortgage they live in and another on another property. Their choices and i respect that.
Women's wages suck and that's a fact. I hope the A League lifts those up across the board.
The ladies hit the training Pitch around 2pm and finish before 4pm (sometimes 1pm-3pm. All the other commitments to the club - appearances, promotions etc. All take up their time and they do deserve to be paid accordingly.
Having witnessed first hand, their training. One cannot question their commitment. I hope it all progresses in a positive way. This team is something special and the coach is bringing out the best.
Proud to have attended the first 175 Consecutive "Home" Wellington Phoenix "A League" Games !!
This is a good read: “Instead of promising to at least look into what Knott said, the Phoenix have done what we have seen all too frequently before by sports organisations, choosing to instead release a statement focused on listing all the measures they claim to be making for women’s football, implying that what Knott said could not possibly be true.”
over 2 years ago· edited over 2 years ago· History
number8
This is a good read: “Instead of promising to at least look into what Knott said, the Phoenix have done what we have seen all too frequently before by sports organisations, choosing to instead release a statement focused on listing all the measures they claim to be making for women’s football, implying that what Knott said could not possibly be true.”
That article reads like a load of piss from someone who wants there to be more problems than there are.
"Even if other players or staff claim the culture works for them, if just one person says it is not working, be curious as to why that is. Everyone deserves to feel welcome and safe in their organisation"
This quote is bullshark, there will always be someone who doesn't like the current environment, in this case it's Knott who apparently preferred the team when they were a bunch of losers.
And as for people whinging over pay, who's gonna pay their wages? It certainl isnt their non existanr TV money. Anyone who thinks that the women's salary cap should be anywhere near the men's at this point in time needs their head checked.
over 2 years ago· edited over 2 years ago· History
Alida Shanks is a research consultant and historian, with a PhD on gender equity and belonging in sports organisations.
I don't imagine the Nix have been perfect at all with the way it was all handled, and is some smoke Knott's main grievance goes back prior to this season. But various players (both Longo & Rylee Foster) and I think Temple, said the club would definitely learn & try to improve from Knott leaving. I don't think they are just sweeping it under the carpet. But they are in the midst of their season, so understandly that is their main focus and the 17-20 odd players that are still there.
Longo said she had talked to Knott at season start about a grievance, but then said Chloe had never brought it up again, so thought all was good. Communication as always is a 2 way thing.
To be a balanced article it should mention that 2 current players (though both in their first season at the club) have praised the culture. It should also make some attempt to analyse the disparity in sponsorship revenue the club receive for their mens and womens teams. Why have it seems no new major sponsors, jumped on to support the ALW team since the hugely successful WWC? Are there not enough women in boardrooms making these decisions? Do female business owners or CEOs, not really care for sport as a rule? Of course companies run or owned by men should also support women's sport, but it's an interesting issue.
Again Domey basically had to plead for a sponsor to come on board before the ALW's team's first season. Infantino ranted against European TV networks not offering enough to cover the recent WWC. To give the article some balance you need to talk about the whole current funding picture, for the women's game.
Whinhams performance yesterday suggested she can replace Knott or Wisnewski seamlessly. McMeeken, well to be honest she looked better than Foster or Davidson on that performance, certainly no worse. Brown and Main are both a bit under utilised I think. Brown looks like she could possibly lead the attack, at least in Speckmaiers absence. We havent seen enough of her in that position to be able to judge. Main does a lot of work, and a lot of good work. Shes getting pulled too often in my book. And then Elliott offers further support. So the squad looks pretty good to me. Feel a bit sorry for Edwards as shes so keen and was great in the one chance she had , but Foster in goal is going to be hard to remove. I cant see Robertson getting a look in on this group.
This is a good read: “Instead of promising to at least look into what Knott said, the Phoenix have done what we have seen all too frequently before by sports organisations, choosing to instead release a statement focused on listing all the measures they claim to be making for women’s football, implying that what Knott said could not possibly be true.”
That article reads like a load of piss from someone who wants there to be more problems than there are.
"Even if other players or staff claim the culture works for them, if just one person says it is not working, be curious as to why that is. Everyone deserves to feel welcome and safe in their organisation"
This quote is bullshark, there will always be someone who doesn't like the current environment, in this case it's Knott who apparently preferred the team when they were a bunch of lovers.
And as for people whinging over pay, who's gonna pay their wages? It certainl isnt their non existanr TV money. Anyone who thinks that the women's salary cap should be anywhere near the men's at this point in time needs their head checked.
"A bunch of lovers"? Wow, I guess the stereotypes about women's sport are correct
Ramming liberal dribble down your throat since 2009 This forum needs less angst and more Kate Bush threads
over 2 years ago· edited over 2 years ago· History
I kinda feel like lumping the Nix women team in with the same group as those with historic toxic cultures is a bit of a reach. Given this is only their third year and years 1-2 were very obviously not toxic. They appeared to be setup around players enjoying their time whist building for success. The coaches did not seem to concerned about results - and they may well have been a directive from above (I dont know). Now with a new coach, the arrival of import pros the standards and expectations have turned a full 180 and the success on the park has arrived. This is and was always necessary. Does it mean the culture of fun and enjoyment will dissappear? NO! Will it change - absolutely but it needed to. Will all the players like this - probably not, but you can't please everyone all of the time. That is life and if it's a life that isnt making you happy then you have a choice to make. WE all have to put up with things that arent the way we want them - it's part of life. Sadly there are always going to be people out there who believe their values are what everyone else should bend over backwards to meet, there is no halfway compromise. Those are the ones that generally run to social media.
This is a good read: “Instead of promising to at least look into what Knott said, the Phoenix have done what we have seen all too frequently before by sports organisations, choosing to instead release a statement focused on listing all the measures they claim to be making for women’s football, implying that what Knott said could not possibly be true.”
That article reads like a load of piss from someone who wants there to be more problems than there are.
"Even if other players or staff claim the culture works for them, if just one person says it is not working, be curious as to why that is. Everyone deserves to feel welcome and safe in their organisation"
This quote is bullshark, there will always be someone who doesn't like the current environment, in this case it's Knott who apparently preferred the team when they were a bunch of lovers.
And as for people whinging over pay, who's gonna pay their wages? It certainl isnt their non existanr TV money. Anyone who thinks that the women's salary cap should be anywhere near the men's at this point in time needs their head checked.
the nix are campaigning to raise the salary cap, so they are least can afford to pay more than they are.
This is a good read: “Instead of promising to at least look into what Knott said, the Phoenix have done what we have seen all too frequently before by sports organisations, choosing to instead release a statement focused on listing all the measures they claim to be making for women’s football, implying that what Knott said could not possibly be true.”
That article reads like a load of piss from someone who wants there to be more problems than there are.
"Even if other players or staff claim the culture works for them, if just one person says it is not working, be curious as to why that is. Everyone deserves to feel welcome and safe in their organisation"
This quote is bullshark, there will always be someone who doesn't like the current environment, in this case it's Knott who apparently preferred the team when they were a bunch of lovers.
And as for people whinging over pay, who's gonna pay their wages? It certainl isnt their non existanr TV money. Anyone who thinks that the women's salary cap should be anywhere near the men's at this point in time needs their head checked.
"A bunch of lovers"? Wow, I guess the stereotypes about women's sport are correct
Since 2021, at least 87 players from eight of the world’s top women’s soccer leagues have torn their ACLs, The Washington Post reported last summer, including Matildas defender Ellie Carpenter, Dutch star Vivianne Miedema and English duo Beth Mead and Leah Williamson.
about 2 years ago· edited about 2 years ago· History
Ferns play their 1st game next Wednesday (7th Feb) against Tonga in Samoa. Klimkova still making phone calls to see who's available? Tourney (7th-19th Feb) outside a FIFA Womens window.
Nix ALW side play Jets this Sunday 4th Feb & Western United 19th Feb. Both games in Aus. Going to be a busy sweaty time for a few of the squad, with lots of air miles.
Given a few Euro based Ferns will likely be unavailable - Edwards, M Foster, Longo, Lake, Barry, McMeeken, Taylor, Whinham, Fraser, Elliott and Main - all in the reckoning for a Ferns callup.
Plus of all the ALW teams, only the Nix are not playing during the OFC Tourney (not a FIFA Womens window). So might be difficult for Klimokova to secure the release of Wilkinson, Stott, Jale, Blake, Anton and others
Maybe a bit general but noticed a couple of things from this topscorers list: - They're all in average or poor teams: currently 6th, 8th, 9th, 10th and 12th - The Nix kept a clean sheet against Canberra, WSW and the Jets!
