The Wellington Phoenix will open their second season in the women's A-League competition this weekend with their first ever game at home which will also be the first time a professional women's game has been played here.
The Phoenix at their 2021 base in Wollongong Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The fledgling outfit were forced to play their entire inaugural season in Australia because of border restrictions associated with the pandemic.
However the team will open the season in Wellington on Sunday against Melbourne City.
Last season was full of firsts... their first game, the first goal and their first win... the Phoenix ended the season with two wins and a draw from their 14 games.
Now the team and fans get to celebrate their first ever home game and the first ever women's professional football game in New Zealand and coach Natalie Lawrence, who has taken over from Gemma Lewis can't wait.
"It's crazy, there's excitement around, there's nerves around and we've all worked really hard this week to put on a good display against City on Sunday."
Last seasoin captain and goalkeeper Lily Alfeld was the only player in the squad with A-League experience, however the club has recruited some experienced players for their second season.
One of those is 32 year old Football Ferns midfielder Betsy Hassett, who has been playing in Europe since 2013.
"It's been a dream since I was a little kid to play professionally in New Zealand, so finally I can.
"I can get friends and family to come to the game and I've never played in the Australian League so I'm really excited."
It is anticipated that having that professional league in New Zealand will do wonders for the women's game here.
Phoenix fans Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Assistant coach Maia Vink says playing in a professional league here wasn't even on the radar during her playing days.
She played through age group level before heading off overseas to start her coaching career.
Vink says the highest she could aim for was getting a scholarship to a US College.
"That's all we knew and I guess that's what was tangable because there were Kiwis playing over in that US College system.
"So to see it now come to a full circle where we've got not only a professional team, but a professional team playing in New Zealand is absolutely massive.
"Hopefully it will light up the dream for many more girls to come."
Being involved in the first ever game at home is going to bring out plenty of emotions for the players, but coach Natalie Lawrence says they can draw on their experience in the club's first ever game in Australia last season.
"They just took it in their stride, we try to be quite mellow and just chill... there will be nerves but we have to make sure we channel those nerves in the right way."
Ava Pritchard in action Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Unfortunately captain and goalkeeper Lily Alfeld won make it onto the pitch as she recovers from knee surgery, she says the expectation is greater this year but training at the same place as the Phoenix men has been a big help.
"It's been beneficial for us to see the guys that have been in this environment for a long time.
"Obviously we have more experienced players (this season) and we've had that season together now, having a lot of the same staff helps as to build on from last season."
Forward Ava Pritchard, who scored the clubs first ever goal last season, says she's dreamt about playing and scoring at Sky Stadium and is hoping it will happen in front of a big crowd on Sunday
"I went and watched the boys game the other day and just took in a minute to look around and imagine that we're going to be playing here and hopefully and having heaps of people and inspiring so many little girls and boys and showing there is a pathway in women's football."
Organisers are hoping for an A-League record crowd of 10,000 for the game against Melbourne City.
