Bev Priestman, who guided Canada to Olympic gold in Tokyo, will take charge of the Phoenix women for the next two Ninja A-League seasons – becoming ‘arguably the best credentialed coach’ in A-Leagues history.
Before leading Canada to Olympic glory in 2021, Priestman was the team’s assistant coach when they claimed the bronze medal at the Rio Games in 2016 and she was England’s assistant coach at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France, where the Lionesses were semi-finalists.
In total, Priestman has coached at four FIFA Women’s World Cups, three Olympic Games and three FIFA Youth World Cups.
She’s twice been shortlisted for the Best FIFA women’s coach award and holds the world’s most prestigious coaching qualification, the UEFA pro licence.
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Phoenix Chairman Rob Morrison says the club is thrilled to have made a signing of Priestman’s calibre.
“Bev is a world-class coach and a top person, and I have no doubt she will bring her winning mentality to the Wellington Phoenix,” Morrison said.
“This is a step up in an exciting era for the Phoenix women’s team. Along with our significant ongoing investment in the women’s academy program, we have doubled our investment in the women’s first team and this has resulted in us being able to recruit some great international players.
“Securing Bev as head coach speaks to the ambition we have for this team.
“Signing one of the world’s best coaches is a statement for the club, but it is also a statement for the Ninja A-League, reflecting the ambition and investment from APL for the development of the women’s game in Australasia.”
Priestman has recently finished serving a one-year ban from any football-related activity for her role in the Canadian team’s misuse of drones at last year’s Paris Olympics.
“We’re really pleased to be able to welcome Bev back to football,” Morrison said. “We all know she’s had a period of time away from the game, but we understand the circumstances and we’re really comfortable with this appointment.
“Bev can’t wait to get started, and we’re really happy that she’s going to be coaching the Phoenix.”
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Australian Professional Leagues (APL) Executive Chairman Stephen Conroy has welcomed Priestman to the A-Leagues.
“It is a fantastic endorsement of the Ninja A-League Women to have a coach of the calibre of Bev Priestman join as head coach of Wellington Phoenix,” Conroy said.
“Bev is a world-renowned national team head coach and Olympic champion, and her experience and expertise will be a huge boost for the up-and-coming squad at the Phoenix.”
It is a full circle moment for Bev Priestman, who 16 years ago headed up coach development in Wellington. She then went on to be New Zealand Football’s Director of Football Development and played a pivotal role in the award-winning Whole of Football Plan.
“I’m thrilled to have signed with the Wellington Phoenix,” Priestman said. “It’s a fantastic club with big ambitions, world-class facilities and a phenomenal fan base. I can’t wait to get to work, connect with everyone in the building and get to know our amazing fans.
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“Coming back to New Zealand and seeing the Phoenix week in week out as the only professional women’s team has been amazing. We have a responsibility now to fly the flag for this country and try to do something special.
“Huge thanks to Rob, Shaun Gill (director of football) and David Dome (general manager) for giving me this chance to come back to the game I love and hopefully bring some special moments to not only this city, but this country.”
Priestman hopes her Phoenix women’s team can capture the imagination of the New Zealand sporting public.
“Sport has the ability to connect a country, not just in what you do, but more importantly, how you do it.
“There’ll be a hunger and a desire there because we know we want to achieve a first for this club and to do that is going to take something special.
“There are a lot of different factors that go into winning, but first and foremost it’s a given when you put on the shirt that you work hard. I’ll work harder than ever, and the Phoenix will work harder than any other team.
“On the pitch I want to see players express themselves and be brave. I want players to take risks, play forward, excite the fans and get them out of their seats.
“I think that brings out the best in people, and that’s all I want to do is get the best out of both players and staff and create something special on the football pitch.”
