Phoenix manager’s rallying cry as fans slow to show support for women’s team

posted in: A-League (Women), News |

Sluggish sales for the opening game of the women’s A-League have prompted Wellington Phoenix general manager David Dome to call on fans to rally behind the team.

Despite the huge support for the FIFA Women’s World Cup and a positive pre-season build-up, the Phoenix women are struggling for support.

The Phoenix women open their third campaign at Sky Stadium on Sunday afternoon when they host perennial contenders Melbourne City, whose squad includes Football Ferns Rebekah Stott and Hannah Wilkinson.

Dome is dumbfounded by the lack of interest.

“I was hoping there would be at least some momentum from the World Cup,” he said.

“It was incredible to see more than 230 thousand fans attend matches in Wellington during the tournament, and yet the city’s own team, which is the only professional football club in Aotearoa, is really struggling for support.

*Annalie Longo … high-profile Football Fern who will captain the Phoenix team this season. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.*

“Our women’s squad boasts a number of Football Ferns, led by Annalie Longo and Michaela Foster, four visa signings, who have experience in the world’s top leagues, and an exciting group of young players from our academy.

“Paul Temple has the team playing an entertaining style of football and are fresh off pre-season wins over the Newcastle Jets and Central Coast Mariners.

“These wāhine are fantastic ambassadors for the sport and Wellington, and they deserve the public’s support.”

Deals available to make ticket prices accessible

The Wellington Phoenix understand the ever-increasing cost of living makes it incredibly difficult for families to attend live sport, but have taken steps to ease the financial burden.

A women’s season membership is just $119 for 11 home matches, while the Phoenix’s groundbreaking junior membership initiative Macca’s Junior Nix has gone live in the Wellington region.

Thanks to McDonald’s, all under-16 footballers who are registered to a Capital Football club can claim a free season membership to all Phoenix home matches, men and women.

“We hope this will help remove one of the barriers to attending Phoenix matches this season.

“I know paying a lump sum for a membership is difficult, so Laybuy is available, and we have endeavoured to keep ticket prices as low as possible.

“A family of four can come to Sunday’s game for as little as $39, with child tickets from $9 and an adult from just $17.”