WPW 2021/22 Squad Speculation, Confirmation and Mutual Termination

Should be some announcement this week by the looks. 

Tom Sermanni has been helping identify potential Aus players https://player.whooshkaa.com/episode/914748

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/women-in-sport/126648419/who-might-the-wellington-phoenix-sign-for-their-first-aleague-women-campaign

Andrew Voerman 05:00, Oct 15 2021  has a list of possibles.

A very good article, prompted me to contribute to Stuff's sports writing.

Andrew V picks 1 for 1.

Lily Alfeld is a good goalkeeper. Played against her this year when she was playing for U19 West Coast Rangers.

https://www.wellingtonphoenix.com/news/phoenix-announce-first-signings
Ross Aloisi and Tim Brown, Richard Johnson and Michael Ferrante, and Mark Paston

Oi Oi Edgecumbe

Does anyone remember who was the first ever men's signing back in the day?

https://www.wellingtonphoenix.com/news/phoenix-announce-first-signings

Oi Oi Edgecumbe

Does anyone remember who was the first ever men's signing back in the day?

 I remember reading Aloisi and the eyeballs almost falling out of my head. I thought 'Ross' was the last name of another player!

Li

kwlap

Oi Oi Edgecumbe

Does anyone remember who was the first ever men's signing back in the day?

 I remember reading Aloisi and the eyeballs almost falling out of my head. I thought 'Ross' was the last name of another player!

Me too! Thought Micheal Ferrante was actually MARCO Ferrante, great Serie A striker who did really well with Torino during the 00s. Hadn't been in NZ all that long back then and didn't understand the speaker on the radio making the announcement. 😂
Little did I know I'd have to wait a decade for our first Italian signing and that he'd be real dud 


2 more added to the team.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/women-in-sport/300433292/wellington-phoenix-women-sign-new-zealand-midfielders-chloe-knott-and-grace-jale

Starting to get excited! Seem to be decent pickups from the domestic comp!

GOALKEEPERS
Lily Alfeld

DEFENDERS

MIDFIELDERS
Chloe Knott
Grace Jale

ATTACKERS

Party at Kelli Brown's place!

Welcome to the #Nix!

We have signed Future Ferns Domestic Programme (FFDP) Graduates, Ava Pritchard, Grace Wisnewski, Kelli Brown, Mackenzie Barry and Saskia Vosper for the @ALeagueWomen's side 👋

— Wellington Phoenix (@WgtnPhoenixFC) October 18, 2021

Starting to get really excited for this team. My hope is that we pick up Maya Hahn for the 2022/23 season after she graduates in the US and convince her to switch back to NZ.

GOALKEEPERS
Lily Alfeld

DEFENDERS
Saskia Vosper
Mackenzie Barry

MIDFIELDERS
Chloe Knott
Grace Jale

ATTACKERS
Ava Pritchard
Grace Wisnewski
Kelli Brown

Getting into rumour mill territory here but thought it was worth sharing, as I noticed Nix instagram follows quite a few of the players signed today - looking at the other womens footballers they follow, Anna Green (already rumoured) stuck out - coming onto the latter stages of her career and recently having been with Capital Football in NZ. Would be an experienced defender to sign if there was any link there (but they also follow a few players they just like but won't be getting this season, such as Stott, Erceg and funnily enough Kyah Simon). 

Only 3 kiwis to go…

Kenyabold

Only 3 kiwis to go…

 Can always get dual nationals - who have kiwi/ aussie passports. hopefully a couple that fit in.

True and I’m guessing the last one to be named will be a dual 

maynardf

Kenyabold

Only 3 kiwis to go…

 Can always get dual nationals - who have kiwi/ aussie passports. hopefully a couple that fit in.

Friar Tuck

Starting to get really excited for this team. My hope is that we pick up Maya Hahn for the 2022/23 season after she graduates in the US and convince her to switch back to NZ.

Switch back?

Is Chloe Knott classified as a local? 

Sky did a thing in her last year on her eligibility for NZ. 

Wasn’t Sure what the case was here

CactusJones

Is Chloe Knott classified as a local? 

Sky did a thing in her last year on her eligibility for NZ. 

Wasn’t Sure what the case was here

Even if she hasn't qualified yet, we have visa slots available. Signing a visa takes a spot away from a Kiwi (cuz of the minimum 7 Aussie requirement), so isn't really an issue here.

Feverish

Friar Tuck

Starting to get really excited for this team. My hope is that we pick up Maya Hahn for the 2022/23 season after she graduates in the US and convince her to switch back to NZ.

Switch back?

Switched to Germany for the U20 WC because the FF training camp timing would’ve messed with her US College stuff. The tournament was canceled due to COVID though so she’s uncapped by Germany and I believe free to re-declare as a Fern if she chooses.

Friar Tuck

Feverish

Friar Tuck

Starting to get really excited for this team. My hope is that we pick up Maya Hahn for the 2022/23 season after she graduates in the US and convince her to switch back to NZ.

Switch back?

Switched to Germany for the U20 WC because the FF training camp timing would’ve messed with her US College stuff. The tournament was canceled due to COVID though so she’s uncapped by Germany and I believe free to re-declare as a Fern if she chooses.

Not sure how easy the process of switching back international allegiance is, but she switched because German football is so great and Nz sucks in her opinion - so good luck never playing for Germany.

Feverish

Friar Tuck

Feverish

Friar Tuck

Starting to get really excited for this team. My hope is that we pick up Maya Hahn for the 2022/23 season after she graduates in the US and convince her to switch back to NZ.

Switch back?

Switched to Germany for the U20 WC because the FF training camp timing would’ve messed with her US College stuff. The tournament was canceled due to COVID though so she’s uncapped by Germany and I believe free to re-declare as a Fern if she chooses.

Not sure how easy the process of switching back international allegiance is, but she switched because German football is so great and Nz sucks in her opinion - so good luck never playing for Germany.

Was a bit tough that she had to switch at age group level (Was filed with Fifa so I don't think its switch back able). I'm not totally sure why, but it must have been something the Germans stipulated to be eligible to be picked. Not sure if she made the final german u20 squad, and don't think she actually played any games for them, but it all got cancelled due to covid in the end. Rotten timing for her.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/119762228/new-zealand-under17-womens-world-cup-star-maya-hahn-commits-to-germany

Enjoying seeing the squad come together. Be interesting to see who the duel Aus/NZ players are they pick, and what Aus players are added. Definitely need another GK and a bit more strength in defence.
Interesting that of the 3 girls that have been mentioned as training with the Nix academy, none have been picked yet. Robertson, Fraser and Green. With only 1 NZ spot up for grabs. (Are other Aus ALW teams sniffing around ?)

Ranix

Enjoying seeing the squad come together. Be interesting to see who the duel Aus/NZ players are they pick, and what Aus players are added. Definitely need another GK and a bit more strength in defence.
Interesting that of the 3 girls that have been mentioned as training with the Nix academy, none have been picked yet. Robertson, Fraser and Green. With only 1 NZ spot up for grabs. (Are other Aus ALW teams sniffing around ?)

Plus the poster girl Tui Dugan. Pretty poor. 

Are any of the signings so far dual nationality with Aus?

lthomas20

Are any of the signings so far dual nationality with Aus?

No mention of that. AV in his article of potential signing mentioned a few Aus based players that had been identified in NZ age group camps. Some of these might well be dual nationals.
No mention either of contract lengths. I assume 1 season contracts is common in ALW.

lthomas20

Are any of the signings so far dual nationality with Aus?

No none as yet

Are their visa spots? At least one of the three current academy players is a dual national (USA/NZ)

GOALKEEPERS
Lily Alfeld

DEFENDERS
Mackenzie Barry
Zoe McMeeken 
Kate Taylor 
Saskia Vosper

MIDFIELDERS
Grace Jale
Chloe Knott

ATTACKERS
Kelli Brown 
Ava Pritchard
Grace Wisnewski

zonknz

Are their visa spots? At least one of the three current academy players is a dual national (USA/NZ)

Yes, 4 spots for visas. All signs have pointed to us running an 18 person squad, so only 1 more spot for someone who doesn't have Aussie citizenship now tho.

RR

zonknz

Are their visa spots? At least one of the three current academy players is a dual national (USA/NZ)

Yes, 4 spots for visas. All signs have pointed to us running an 18 person squad, so only 1 more spot for someone who doesn't have Aussie citizenship now tho.

The word from APL is that visa signings for Phoenix women have to be made at the expense of Kiwi signings, so they're only allowed one more of either.

andrewvoerman

RR

zonknz

Are their visa spots? At least one of the three current academy players is a dual national (USA/NZ)

Yes, 4 spots for visas. All signs have pointed to us running an 18 person squad, so only 1 more spot for someone who doesn't have Aussie citizenship now tho.

The word from APL is that visa signings for Phoenix women have to be made at the expense of Kiwi signings, so they're only allowed one more of either.

So (if they have the budget) rather than visa signings they really need to target quality Australian players. 
But considering how late in the piece it is. Easier said than done.

Michaela Robertson, and her pretty handy sister Jemma Robertson, are both dual citizens of NZ/Aus (their mother is Australian from what I am told).

Would have been nice to have some of the older experienced NWL given a look at rather than just Ffdp, I get this is suppose to be a pathway however it can be detrimental for equally talented players missing out and have quality. Takeda, Fraser, Robertson, Nicholson, Lake, Ward, Bacon,Hiraro to name a few