Phoenix women take up long-term strategy

Wellington Phoenix are aiming to become a breeding ground for future Football Ferns.

The Phoenix have snapped up 13 players ahead of their A-League Women debut, with five more to be added before their opening game, against Western Sydney Wanderers on December 3.

So far the club’s recruitment has centred around up-and-coming talent rather than seasoned professionals, with average age of the squad dropping to just 20 following the most recent additions of teenagers Te Reremoana Walker, Cushla Rue and Isabel Gomez. Coach Gemma Lewis said that was partly due to the timing of when the Phoenix were granted entry into the competition as other clubs had first pick of the New Zealand players available at the time.

‘‘We always knew, especially this year with the timing of everything, that the reality was it was going to be a pretty young squad,’’ Lewis said. ‘‘We understand trying to make an impact in the first year, but with the timeframes we’ve got it can be difficult so we’re also thinking long-term. If we nourish these players and look after them through the next couple of years, that’s when we think we can start to have a real big impact.’’