Bev Priestman - Women's Manager

There just HAS to be a drone flown at the first home game.

In hindsight and having watched her interview  can that idea. Think there will be plenty of others prepared to continually remind her of it.
Lets us as a fan base get right behind her and the team for what hopefully is a successful season.

I've got a couple off Temu, if you want to borrow one. I haven't unboxed them yet. I wanted to learn how to use them for fishing purposes - Fish spotting so I can throw my line in the right place for once. Best to learn with the cheapest before investing in something more serious.

However, the Nix do use their own drones at training.

Wow! Although widely expected it is still quite something to get an appointment confirmed of a coach at such a high level - we'd be hard-pressed to get anyone else that had anywhere near the level of Bev Priestman's CV. 

Plus we've still got some more players to get on board - wouldn't it be awesome if we also had a return of the Flea !

Go Wahinix!

Ranix

MetalLegNZ

Bev Priestman - worse kept secret in NZ football.

Great appointment to go with some quality signings... has she been at trainings already, has she cast her eye over the squad + youth??

Training hasn't started. They are not allowed to begin until 7 weeks out from season start. 
Believe she has been spotted in the stands at some Nix games last season and at some academy games.

Can confirm she has been at some of the women's academy games.

ballane

There just HAS to be a drone flown at the first home game.

Don't want to be that guy (but I will anyway). While some idiot will probably try the drone trick, if it's our first home game I think its pretty disrespectful to the players (and yes the coach too), who are representing Wellington and would ideally like the focus to be on their performance and the game. Priestman has served her time, as supporters we should let drone-gate rest and get behind what could possibly be the best ever Wahinix season (low bar to clear there of course).

djtim3000

ballane

There just HAS to be a drone flown at the first home game.

Don't want to be that guy (but I will anyway). While some idiot will probably try the drone trick, if it's our first home game I think its pretty disrespectful to the players (and yes the coach too), who are representing Wellington and would ideally like the focus to be on their performance and the game. Priestman has served her time, as supporters we should let drone-gate rest and get behind what could possibly be the best ever Wahinix season (low bar to clear there of course).

In seriousness I think you will find everybody is buzzing to get such a proven coach for a good squad. She will get everyone's backing. Her desire to be a winner will be an excellent tonic for the club/team. I think we are very lucky. So she was involved in  "Dronegate", it's not like she was sports betting or doing high performance drug cheating. A season for all to get excited about beckons.

djtim3000

ballane

There just HAS to be a drone flown at the first home game.

Don't want to be that guy (but I will anyway). While some idiot will probably try the drone trick, if it's our first home game I think its pretty disrespectful to the players (and yes the coach too), who are representing Wellington and would ideally like the focus to be on their performance and the game. Priestman has served her time, as supporters we should let drone-gate rest and get behind what could possibly be the best ever Wahinix season (low bar to clear there of course).

 Fever Banner? "Nothing to Drone home about"?

I can see a new YF event coming - Bevvies for Bev!

Gordinho

I can see a new YF event coming - Bevvies for Bev!

Drone for Dome

I hope she has a wicked sense of humour and can appreciate that we are not trying to put her down but have fun. She is now "one of us". Part of the Phoenix family. 

Opportunistic hiring and although there will likely be negative conversations about her integrity, there is also something apt about her coming to work for NZs only professional club full of NZ players. Might even be Karma and if they can get over it and work with her then I'm sure everyone else can.

Exciting season coming for the Wahinex.

The only reason for her actions was the desire to win. a drive that we really need at the club. You want something so much that you are driven. I see it as a positive

LG

The only reason for her actions was the desire to win. a drive that we really need at the club. You want something so much that you are driven. I see it as a positive

" The only reason for her actions was the desire to win "? You could say that about any cheat

Doloras

LG

The only reason for her actions was the desire to win. a drive that we really need at the club. You want something so much that you are driven. I see it as a positive

" The only reason for her actions was the desire to win "? You could say that about any cheat

You could.

I don't think having people willing to push the boundaries is a bad thing necessarily, as long as you've got checks and balances in place that prevent things going too far.

Canada obviously didn't do that - hopefully we've learned.

Nelfoos

I don't think having people willing to push the boundaries is a bad thing necessarily, as long as you've got checks and balances in place that prevent things going too far.

Canada obviously didn't do that - hopefully we've learned.

She’ll be alright. Her spying was strictly in pursuit of victory, not on a former coworker at a suburban McDonalds restaurant.

Yeah, don't know how to feel about this one.

On the one hand, I don't know why we want anything to do with a known cheat, and even worse, someone who attempted to cheat at our own expense. Regardless of what punishment she received, we still lost that game against Canada, and whilst we probably would've lost anyway, it lowered the chances of our players having a run in a competition they won't get many chances to take part in.

On the other hand, it feels incredibly vindicating that she has to come here to coach a team from the country she actively tried to screw. Somehow, I don't think the Canadian national team were calling. Be one hell of a redemption story if she forced a trophy out of it.

In case it matters to anyone, Priestman was complicit in the whole drone thing but I don't think she was responsible for instituting the process/practice at Canadian Soccer, that was Herdman wasn't it?

We now know it was simply due diligence being carried out for her impending application to The Nix for the women’s job.

LG

The only reason for her actions was the desire to win. a drive that we really need at the club. You want something so much that you are driven. I see it as a positive

imanixsupporter

In case it matters to anyone, Priestman was complicit in the whole drone thing but I don't think she was responsible for instituting the process/practice at Canadian Soccer, that was Herdman wasn't it?

That seemed to be the general rumour.

Noting that Herdman (age 50) & Priestman (39) go way back, JH being a bit of a mentor for BP.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bev_Priestman
At age 12, Priestman signed-up for futsal in Consett, under John Herdman, who was at the time a university lecturer and a part-time football coach. 

djtim3000

ballane

There just HAS to be a drone flown at the first home game.

Don't want to be that guy (but I will anyway). While some idiot will probably try the drone trick, if it's our first home game I think its pretty disrespectful to the players (and yes the coach too), who are representing Wellington and would ideally like the focus to be on their performance and the game. Priestman has served her time, as supporters we should let drone-gate rest and get behind what could possibly be the best ever Wahinix season (low bar to clear there of course).

God forbid someone might have a sense of humor thats just being a little touchy. Thereis going to be plenty of stuff thrown the Phoenixs way  when they go to Aussie so the team and Bev are going to have to develop thick skins.
Would be very surprised if Bev didnt see the funny side she strikes me as someone who dosnt let small things bother her.

IMG_20250730_150522.jpg 553.28 KB

Great appointment by the Nix

Friar Tuck

Nelfoos

I don't think having people willing to push the boundaries is a bad thing necessarily, as long as you've got checks and balances in place that prevent things going too far.

Canada obviously didn't do that - hopefully we've learned.

She’ll be alright. Her spying was strictly in pursuit of victory, not on a former coworker at a suburban McDonalds restaurant.

 Or hiding in the carpark observing players coming and going.

Joking aside, it will be interesting on what formations she chooses or prefers to have a team play and the style of play. 

She seems like a very nice person to be fair and can see the past year has affected her.
She said we should be in a position to announce another signing next week and sounds like an attacker. She wants to strengthen the midfield and would be happy to have flea back if shes ever keen. 

Wrong thread - sorry. Her interview on "Stuff" is quite good.

Big that we have her contracted for 2 seasons! Was worried this might’ve been a one and done situation

Half a Pint

Big that we have her contracted for 2 seasons! Was worried this might’ve been a one and done situation

Priestman's wife Emma Humphries from memory is 1 year into a 3 year Academy Director role at the Nix.

Wow just watched the press conference and Bev was very impressive. She left no doubt that she is very focused on the opportunity she has been given.
Cant wait to watch her team play.

COYN

ballane

Wow just watched the press conference and Bev was very impressive. She left no doubt that she is very focused on the opportunity she has been given.
Cant wait to watch her team play.

COYN

This was my take too. She interviewed so well.

And she fronted up and addressed the last 12 months. Good on her. Very positive vibes that this might get everyone on track for a good season. She is moving and looking forward and we should be supporting that.

Am I the only one who honestly doesn’t care that much about the drone thing? Not in a ‘it was bad but she’s done her time’ kind of way, more in a it wasn’t actually that big of a deal kind of way. Seems to me she’s been made a scapegoat for a practice that was pretty widespread and which honestly doesn’t seem to give teams an enormous advantage anyway. Not that I’m ensuring the behaviour necessarily, it’s just that it doesn’t quite feel right to label it an integrity offence when this feels very different to (for example) match fixing. 

It’s a moot point given she’s done her time now. The main thing for today is that this is a bloody good, and quite remarkable, appointment for a club like ours. Great to see. 

Fitzy

Am I the only one who honestly doesn’t care that much about the drone thing? Not in a ‘it was bad but she’s done her time’ kind of way, more in a it wasn’t actually that big of a deal kind of way. Seems to me she’s been made a scapegoat for a practice that was pretty widespread and which honestly doesn’t seem to give teams an enormous advantage anyway. Not that I’m ensuring the behaviour necessarily, it’s just that it doesn’t quite feel right to label it an integrity offence when this feels very different to (for example) match fixing. 

It’s a moot point given she’s done her time now. The main thing for today is that this is a bloody good, and quite remarkable, appointment for a club like ours. Great to see. 

Yep im with you seems she has taken most of the blame for something that may not have all been down to her.

I hope you are. The drone activity in question was expressly, explicitly prohibited by not only competition rules but also civil aviation rules. Youre genuinely stupid and morally deficient if you think that, sorry

Fitzy

Am I the only one who honestly doesn’t care that much about the drone thing? Not in a ‘it was bad but she’s done her time’ kind of way, more in a it wasn’t actually that big of a deal kind of way. Seems to me she’s been made a scapegoat for a practice that was pretty widespread and which honestly doesn’t seem to give teams an enormous advantage anyway. Not that I’m ensuring the behaviour necessarily, it’s just that it doesn’t quite feel right to label it an integrity offence when this feels very different to (for example) match fixing. 

It’s a moot point given she’s done her time now. The main thing for today is that this is a bloody good, and quite remarkable, appointment for a club like ours. Great to see. 

Edit: she also tried to lie her way out of it and throw her subordinates under the bus after it was discovered. What she did wasn't unforgiveable and I don't resent her and am quite happy she is now our coach but what she was complicit in was very seriously wrong and she was very appropriately punished 

imanixsupporter

I hope you are. The drone activity in question was expressly, explicitly prohibited by not only competition rules but also civil aviation rules. Youre genuinely stupid and morally deficient if you think that, sorry

Fitzy

Am I the only one who honestly doesn’t care that much about the drone thing? Not in a ‘it was bad but she’s done her time’ kind of way, more in a it wasn’t actually that big of a deal kind of way. Seems to me she’s been made a scapegoat for a practice that was pretty widespread and which honestly doesn’t seem to give teams an enormous advantage anyway. Not that I’m ensuring the behaviour necessarily, it’s just that it doesn’t quite feel right to label it an integrity offence when this feels very different to (for example) match fixing. 

It’s a moot point given she’s done her time now. The main thing for today is that this is a bloody good, and quite remarkable, appointment for a club like ours. Great to see. 

Edit: she also tried to lie her way out of it and throw her subordinates under the bus after it was discovered. What she did wasn't unforgiveable and I don't resent her and am quite happy she is now our coach but what she was complicit in was very seriously wrong and she was very appropriately punished 

FFS Talk about an over reaction "Youre genuinely stupid and morally deficient if you think that, sorry"
Certainly hope neither you or any of your family ever make a mistake that requires some level of compassion or forgiveness.
Pretty obvious from her press conference it has affected her deeply. Your kidding if you think it has had any lasting affect on any of the Kiwis involved

Fitzy

Am I the only one who honestly doesn’t care that much about the drone thing? Not in a ‘it was bad but she’s done her time’ kind of way, more in a it wasn’t actually that big of a deal kind of way. Seems to me she’s been made a scapegoat for a practice that was pretty widespread and which honestly doesn’t seem to give teams an enormous advantage anyway. Not that I’m ensuring the behaviour necessarily, it’s just that it doesn’t quite feel right to label it an integrity offence when this feels very different to (for example) match fixing. 

It’s a moot point given she’s done her time now. The main thing for today is that this is a bloody good, and quite remarkable, appointment for a club like ours. Great to see. 

Let’s not drone on about it ok

I’m more concerned she was dumb enough to get caught

Room now for Clayton Lewis in the men’s midfield?

Got up this morning and was reading my French newspaper and saw a Wellington Phoenix headline. Thats a first! Its global news.
Great appointment IMO.
She commited an offense. Served her sentence. Time to move on.
She is a world class coach and with Welnix splashing the cash on quality players we could have a great season. Now its up to Nix fans to really support the team....go to the games!

Interesting line in the members email

“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.

no excuses now not to push for a title!