Wellington Phoenix have handed 24-year-old Lara Wall her maiden professional contract after the full-back impressed on trial with the Ninja A-League club.
Wall put pen to paper on a two-year deal with the Phoenix after five years at Canterbury United Pride in New Zealand’s National Women’s League. The first year of Wall’s Phoenix stay will be on scholarship terms before her graduation to a full senior deal for the 2025-26 Ninja A-League season.
The two-time National Women’s League champion joined Wellington on trial for the start of pre-season training, where she caught the attention of head coach Paul Temple to earn a permanent move to the Ninja A-League club.
“Lara came in on trial at the start of our pre-season and really impressed the staff,” said Temple after the confirmation of Wall’s two-year deal.
“She is the complete package and has the versatility of being able to play on both the left and right sides of defence.
“Not only did she do well on the grass in training sessions, but a huge part of being an elite athlete is mentality, attitude, application and hunger.
“She was fantastic around the group and her mentality is to get to work, have no excuses and maximise every day, and I love that.”
NINJA A-LEAGUE WOMEN 2024-25 FIXTURE DETAILS
FULL FIXTURE: Every match here
TALKING POINTS: More free-to-air games, a New Year’s Eve party & more
DERBY DAYS & KEY DATES: The biggest Ninja A-League Women matches to put in your diary
FINALS SERIES: 2024-25 Ninja A-League Women finals structure and dates
Wall admits it was a shock to receive the call to join Wellington as a pre-season triallist, but having played with several Phoenix plays in the past – including club captain Annalie Longo and defender Rebecca Lake, the 24-year-old was eager to take the opportunity and prove she could make the step up to the Ninja A-League.
“When I got the call to trial, it came as a bit of a shock,” Wall said. “I was sitting at my desk at work and thinking how I would love to be out on the football field.
“I had been chatting to Bex (Lake) and Flea (Longo) a little bit. They put in a good word for me.
“It was awesome to have the whole week to really showcase myself, with strength testing, fitness testing and having a game.
“I ended up staying another week with the contracted players. It was so cool to train with them, get to know them, and now I feel really comfortable coming back to Wellington and being in the team.”
A predominantly left-sided defender despite being a right-footer, Wall describes herself as a pacy full-back capable of playing on either side of a defensive line.
Outside of football Wall works as a structural engineer and plans to continue in her current job throughout her two-year Phoenix deal.
Click here to secure your Unite Round tickets TODAY!
“I work for a company called Holmes and I’m fortunate to be able to transfer to their Wellington office,” she said.
“I’ve worked on the Christchurch Cathedral and Dunedin hospital, and it is very different to playing football.
“When I chose to go to university, then stay in Christchurch, I did think that might be my life.
“But they’re happy to work around football and around me. It means I get to continue my structural engineering career, while still pursuing my football dreams.
“I’m really excited to be here for two years, because it means I’ll get to do lots of learning, especially in my first season as a professional.”
