Former Wellington Phoenix women’s head coach Natalie Lawrence has joined English club Lewes as assistant manager.
England-born Lawrence (39) returned to the UK after been an assistant coach with the Football Ferns at the FIFA Women’s World Cup and after deciding not to seek reappointment at the Phoenix.
East Sussex club Lewes play in the second-tier English FA Women’s Championship, and include Football Fern Katie Rood among their former players.
Main photo: Natalie Lawrence … new role with English club. Photo credit: Lewes FC.
When Lewes announced Lawrence would be the assistant to first team manager Scott Booth, she told the club’s website:
“It’s been great so far, I’ve settled in straight away, I’ve been introduced back to the British weather!
“It’s a great area, great facility (at Lewes), I got on really well with Scott straight away, but the values of the club and the way they treat females was something that was a massive draw for me.”
Lawrence moved to New Zealand in 2010, and worked for Capital Football from 2012-2015, coaching the federation’s side in the Women’s National League.
After a stint in Canada leading the Vancouver Whitecaps’ academy programme, she returned to Wellington where she coached Team Wellington’s men’s team in the National Youth League.
Lawrence became the assistant to head coach Gemma Lewis for the inaugural Phoenix women’s A-League team and then stepped into the lead role in 2022 after Lewis’ departure.
READ MORE: Natalie Lawrence to leave Wellington Phoenix after deciding not to seek reappointment >>>>
This story was first published on September 25, 2023.