Begins for Phoenix women

For the country’s amateur clubs that have put time, money and effort into growing the women’s game at the grassroots, where a dozen of the Phoenix squad started their football journeys.

For the federations that have helped grow the national league over the past decade – a competition that will continue to have an important role in preparing players to make the step up to the new level that now exists. For the women who play, especially the 12 from New Zealand that have signed contracts and headed across the Tasman, where they will be led by captain Lily Alfeld.

And for the young girls who will be watching them back home. It can’t be said enough: You can’t be what you can’t see. That changes, as far as women’s football is concerned, tonight, with a match that will be broadcast free-to-air on Prime.

Once the kickoff is made, the time for sentimentality will be over. This will be a real football team. It has challenges to overcome, including those squad rules, the lack of commercial support, though a couple of sponsors were announced yesterday, and when it can play in New Zealand. The bar this season is set at a single win, no higher, but there’s every chance they could surprise a few. For now, however, it’s worth reflecting on just what has happened here.

Morrison and his fellow owners have kept professional men’s football alive through all sorts of challenges over the past decade – most notably the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

Bringing professional women’s football to life – with an assist from NZ Football – might just be their most significant achievement yet.