The first question we should actually have is putting an OIA in to see the we actually tried getting anything out of the Major Events Fund. If not then that's a massive issue IMO.
The first question we should actually have is putting an OIA in to see the we actually tried getting anything out of the Major Events Fund. If not then that's a massive issue IMO.
I don’t think it would matter, the promoter bringing over the teams to anz probably worked with govt (central and local). Most of the events centrally funded are in akl, election coming up.
Events announced to date:
Linkin Park – Auckland ULTRA Music Festival – Wellington FIFA World Series – Auckland World Surf League Championship – Raglan Robbie Williams – Christchurch and Auckland New Zealand International Football Festival – Auckland LEGO® Star Wars™: The Exhibition – Wellington Post Malone – Auckland The Snow League World Challenge: Wānaka
2ndBest wrote: Bev said in the interview they aren't expect Samba back until after Christmas.
Given the delay in her getting the operation you have to wonder just how much after Xmas it will be. If thats the case she might not have that many games.
Ranix wrote: Olivia Chance is an interesting one. Is she back playing football. I assume if she is its in Melbourne. I thinks its good that Auck FC are trying to put together a competitive team bringing in high profile players. They are competing of course with the A League all stars team, that also have a number of kiwis now confirmed. Jale, Bunge, Vlok. Stott.
Auckland FC vs Chelsea Women on 8th Aug. A League All Stars vs Chelsea Women is on 12 Aug. Would imagine a lot of rotation in the Chelsea team between these two games being only 4 days apart and in there pre season..
Maggie Jenkins, Maddie Iro and Devon Jackson all added to the Auckland Invitational squad. Be interesting to see how Jenkins goes if she gets good mins.
Southernix wrote: Zoe Benson re-signed until 2029, first two years on a scholarship
Good. She can continue to improve with more game time. Hopefully increase the goals and assists. Mentions more young players are being looked at, from Academy.
RR wrote: 2026/27 CJ Bott Emma Main Sabitra Bhandari (V) Mackenzie Barry Ellie Walker (V) Grace Jale Makala Woods (V) Brooke Nunn (V) Marisa van der Meer Victoria Esson Aimee Danieli Manaia Elliott Kam Pickett (V)
2027/28 Pia Vlok (Scholarship in 26/27) Macey Fraser
2028/29 Zoe Benson (Scholarship in 26/27 & 27/28)
You would think Daisy Brazendale would have to be re-signed. CJ Bott is not going to be fit to start the season so we are short on DM stocks in the current squad. Would also expect Alyssa Whinham to re-sign at some point, looks like she is tracking well with her recover from ACL surgery. Also there has been no announcement that I can remember about McKenzie Anthony. Wonder if the plan is for her to be an injury replacement for Samba, who certainly won't be fit this year. With the new visa signing being a wing back, not sure where that leaves Lara Wall. Other Football Ferns without clubs atm include. Indi Page-Riley, Kellie Brown. also Liv Chance and Abbey Erceg named for the chelsea game, so who knows there. Charlotte Lancaster and Anna Leat will head back to Newcastle I would think.
RR wrote: 2026/27 CJ Bott Emma Main Sabitra Bhandari (V) Mackenzie Barry Ellie Walker (V) Grace Jale Makala Woods (V) Brooke Nunn (V) Marisa van der Meer Victoria Esson Aimee Danieli Manaia Elliott Kam Pickett (V)
2027/28 Pia Vlok (Scholarship in 26/27) Macey Fraser
2028/29 Zoe Benson (Scholarship in 26/27 & 27/28)
You would think Daisy Brazendale would have to be re-signed. CJ Bott is not going to be fit to start the season so we are short on DM stocks in the current squad. Would also expect Alyssa Whinham to re-sign at some point, looks like she is tracking well with her recover from ACL surgery. Also there has been no announcement that I can remember about McKenzie Anthony. Wonder if the plan is for her to be an injury replacement for Samba, who certainly won't be fit this year. With the new visa signing being a wing back, not sure where that leaves Lara Wall. Other Football Ferns without clubs atm include. Indi Page-Riley, Kellie Brown. also Liv Chance and Abbey Erceg named for the chelsea game, so who knows there. Charlotte Lancaster and Anna Leat will head back to Newcastle I would think.
there was a highlight reel posted for daisy about a month ago! curious what that could mean?
Ranix wrote: Wow. Massive signing this one. Abbey will no doubt captain this team. image.png273.51 KB
Timing is certainly interesting! Seems like a bit of a middle finger to Auckland considering she's playing for them against Chelsea in a few days time. I know it's an invitational but still
I await to be convinced this signing is in the best interests of the team. Seem to recall there were a heap of rumours about clicks within the Ferns that shutout some of the younger players. Hope none of that develops in the Wahinix thats the last thing we need. Also dont see why she just steps into the Captaincy ahead of Barry and Bott.
ballane wrote: I await to be convinced this signing is in the best interests of the team. Seem to recall there were a heap of rumours about clicks within the Ferns that shutout some of the younger players. Hope none of that develops in the Wahinix thats the last thing we need. Also dont see why she just steps into the Captaincy ahead of Barry and Bott.
Yeah I'm a bit with Ballane on that. However Priestman is a very experienced & quality coach. You'd hope she has had some good long chats with Erceg to make sure she is coming to the Nix for all the right reasons etc.
It's a long time since Abbey E last lived or played in NZ. Hopefully it all goes well. She does have a wealth of knowledge to share with the younger players.
Ranix wrote: Long shot but Abbey Erceg just said her goodbyes to Mexico. What are the chances she would like to finish her career back in NZ. Follows both Priestman and Humphries on Insta. At 36 certainly at the twilight of her career, but arguable the best female footballer NZ has ever produced.
Are you a sorcerer?!?
Ramming liberal dribble down your throat since 2009 This forum needs less angst and more Kate Bush threads
kwlap wrote: Huge. Probably our greatest ever Fern. So talented, experienced and dedicated. Stoked with this. Can't wait to see her in the stripes this season.
I agree, based on her club achievements. No Kiwi has had such a successful overseas career at such a high level. Ali Riley would be the second best. Three US women's titles and she was one of the best defenders in the NWSL at the height of her career:
"In 2016, she captained the Western New York Flash to a NWSL League Championship. Erceg became part of the North Carolina Courage in 2017 after the Western New York Flash were sold to the owners of North Carolina FC. She would remain captain as the Courage won the 2017 NWSL Shield and appeared in the 2017 NWSL Final where they lost 1–0 to the Portland Thorns. Erceg was named to the NWSL Second XI for the 2017 season. Erceg was named the NWSL Team of the Month for May, June, July & August in the 2018 season. She helped the Courage to win their second straight NWSL shield. North Carolina broke the record for fewest goals conceded during a season, and only suffered 1 loss. The North Carolina Courage won the 2018 NWSL Championship after beating the Portland Thorns 3–0. They didn't concede a goal in either of their play-off games. Erceg was named to the 2018 NWSL Best XI and was named 2018 NWSL Defender of the Year. Erceg was again named in the NWSL Second XI and nominated for Defender of the Year[14] for 2019 as the Courage won the NWSL Shield and Championship again."
_______________________________________ She's just come off a very good season in Mexico (the second best women's league in CONCACAF) where her team Toluca made the semi-finals bak in May: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025%E2%80%9326_Liga_MX_Femenil_season#Liguilla_2 Erceg even scored in the first leg of the semis. Toluca are a team stacked with internationals, including France's 200 cap legendary striker Eugenie Le Sommer. Erceg played in 30 matches for Toluca last season, playing the full 90 in most of them: https://www.soccerway.com/player/erceg-abby/tpXyaSOu/ Five goals across those 30 games too.
Rebecca Smith and Amber Hearn well ahead of Riley. Sadly Smith retired at her peak (age 32) due to injury. When Smith & Hearn were in the Bundesliga it was probably the best women's league in Europe.
Smith was also included in the New Zealand squad for the 2008 Summer Olympics where they drew with Japan (2-2) before losing to Norway (0-1) and USA (0-4). Smith's solid performances in New Zealand's rearguard earned her a FIFA Women's World Player of the Year nomination in 2007 and New Zealand Player of the Year in 2007
Riley most consistent run of club football was in Sweden. She didn't really have too much of a NWSL career. And outside Sweden not much success in Europe. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ali_Riley
Ria Percival especially and Katie Bowen also in the conversation
coochiee wrote: Rebecca Smith and Amber Hearn well ahead of Riley. Sadly Smith retired at her peak (age 32) due to injury. When Smith & Hearn were in the Bundesliga it was probably the best women's league in Europe.
Smith was also included in the New Zealand squad for the 2008 Summer Olympics where they drew with Japan (2-2) before losing to Norway (0-1) and USA (0-4). Smith's solid performances in New Zealand's rearguard earned her a FIFA Women's World Player of the Year nomination in 2007 and New Zealand Player of the Year in 2007
Riley most consistent run of club football was in Sweden. She didn't really have too much of a NWSL career. And outside Sweden not much success in Europe. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ali_Riley
Ria Percival especially and Katie Bowen also in the conversation
You're totally right. It came out wrong when I edited my post. Originally I meant to say that Riley was our second best player in the US top flight. Also in contention is Katie Bowen with 95 games in the US top flight compared to Riley's 103. Bowen's 62 games for Inter Milan across the last three seasons is also impressive. Smith and Hearn would be in my top three Ferns of all-time along with Erceg. Ali Riley and Rebecca Smith have remarkably similar family backgrounds: both have parents from Christchurch but were born in Los Angeles and grew up there: Riley's dad is from Christchurch, while both Smith's parents are from Christchurch. I've met Ali Riley and Rebecca Smith: Riley along with her parents after the Ferns' two games vs. Thailand in Christchurch in 2024 and Smith at English Park one summer. Rebecca Smith's uncle is former All Blacks and Canterbury fullback Richard Wilson.
Smith one smart cookie, and a sucessful career post playing retirement. NZF will need a new CEO in 2027! Sorry off topic
Smith is fluent in four languages; English, German, Spanish and Swedish. In 2013, she founded women's football consultancy firm Crux Sports, where she is currently its CEO.
When Smith retired from football, she transitioned into working at FIFA, managing their women's competition.
Coming to the A-League from the Mexican Liga MX Feminal, Erceg will find the crowd sizes mostly familiar. Both leagues have a lot of work to do in attracting bigger crowds. Just looking at the stats for the last Mexican season, the crowd averages weren't great for such a big country with so many star names in their league from Europe, the Americas and elsewhere. Mexican Liga MX: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025%E2%80%9326_Liga_MX_Femenil_season#Attendance_2 Average attendance: 2281 Toluca (Erceg's club): 2428 Toluca's Biggest home crowd: 3413 Toluca women's lowest recorded single-match home crowd size was 24 spectators against Mazatlán on October 4, 2025. (The game was held at the small-capacity Metepec training facility (Cancha 2) rather than the main stadium). Eight clubs had an average attendance of less than 1000 (five less than 700, the worst with 347) A-League Women: https://www.austadiums.com/sport/comp/w-league/crowds League average: 1663 Phoenix women: Porirua Park (8 games): 1791 Sky stadium (3 games): 4208 Phoenix average total: 2103 Phoenix highest regular season home attendance: 4,655 (against Canberra United on November 8, 2025)
Lowest home attendance: 772 (against Melbourne Victory on November 23, 2025)
Highest overall crowd involving the team: 5,923 for their home semi-final against Brisbane Roar at Porirua Park on May 10, 202
Surprisingly, champions Melbourne City only averaged 724 over seven games at City Football Academy.
ballane wrote: I await to be convinced this signing is in the best interests of the team. Seem to recall there were a heap of rumours about clicks within the Ferns that shutout some of the younger players. Hope none of that develops in the Wahinix thats the last thing we need. Also dont see why she just steps into the Captaincy ahead of Barry and Bott.
Trust in Bev. She’s also done okay after spying on NZ with drones!
Erceg joins the Phoenix following a year and a half with Mexican club Toluca. While she “fell in love with Mexico”, she had long intended to return home before finishing her career to help develop local talent and boost awareness of the women's game.
“I want to give back to the game in New Zealand,” Erceg said. “It’s been a goal of mine to come back and play and have my family and friends see me playing professionally week-in, week-out.
“I want to drive the awareness around women’s football here and push that in the last couple of years of my career.”
She was convinced to join the club after seeing the Phoenix’s commitment to women's football and visiting their training facility at the New Zealand Campus of Innovation and Sport.
“The facilities at NZCIS are better than I’ve had at any club that I’ve been at in the world. It was absolutely phenomenal. It blew my mind,” Erceg said.
Erceg will move to Wellington later this month before pre-season training begins in the first week of September. Her arrival brings the Phoenix's contracted women's squad to 17 players, with further announcements expected.
