1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,427 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:12,027 Speaker 1: from Newstalk ZB. 3 00:00:12,707 --> 00:00:17,427 Speaker 2: Football's Worst Kept Secrets. Confirmed on Wednesday, Bev Priestman will 4 00:00:17,427 --> 00:00:19,747 Speaker 2: take charge of the Wellington Phoenix women's team for the 5 00:00:19,747 --> 00:00:23,027 Speaker 2: next two A League football seasons. The announcement came as 6 00:00:23,067 --> 00:00:26,867 Speaker 2: her one year ban from any football related activity ended 7 00:00:27,307 --> 00:00:30,867 Speaker 2: that following her role in Canada's drone use at last 8 00:00:30,947 --> 00:00:33,947 Speaker 2: year's Paris Olympics, where they were caught spying on a 9 00:00:33,947 --> 00:00:38,147 Speaker 2: football ferns training session. Bev Priestman comes though with extensive 10 00:00:38,227 --> 00:00:41,587 Speaker 2: top flight experience. She led the Canadian team to Olympic 11 00:00:41,667 --> 00:00:45,027 Speaker 2: gold in twenty twenty one. She was assistant coach when 12 00:00:45,027 --> 00:00:48,227 Speaker 2: they got bronze and rio in twenty sixteen. She was 13 00:00:48,307 --> 00:00:52,067 Speaker 2: England's assistant coach when they made the semifinals at the 14 00:00:52,107 --> 00:00:56,187 Speaker 2: twenty nineteen FIFA Women's World Cup, and she's twice been 15 00:00:56,267 --> 00:01:01,147 Speaker 2: shortlisted for the FIFA's award for Best Women's Coach. Without 16 00:01:01,187 --> 00:01:05,267 Speaker 2: doubt one of the most credentialed coaches in women's A 17 00:01:05,387 --> 00:01:09,387 Speaker 2: League history. Also this week, football firm C J Bott 18 00:01:09,947 --> 00:01:13,227 Speaker 2: was confirmed as the Phoenix woman's latest signing. More from 19 00:01:13,267 --> 00:01:15,547 Speaker 2: her in a moment but I spoke after the announcement 20 00:01:15,587 --> 00:01:19,907 Speaker 2: of Bev Priestman's appointment with Wellington Phoenix Director of Football 21 00:01:20,227 --> 00:01:23,147 Speaker 2: Sean Gill, and I asked, first of all, how pleased 22 00:01:23,187 --> 00:01:27,147 Speaker 2: he was to secure a coach of Bev Priestman's pedigree. 23 00:01:27,587 --> 00:01:29,747 Speaker 3: Yeah, look, we're absolutely thrilled. 24 00:01:31,147 --> 00:01:33,387 Speaker 4: If you'd said to me six months ago, Bev Prictman 25 00:01:33,507 --> 00:01:35,147 Speaker 4: vocaching the one to Phoenix, I would have told you're 26 00:01:35,147 --> 00:01:39,547 Speaker 4: an idiot. And it's incredible how it's all sort of 27 00:01:39,547 --> 00:01:41,547 Speaker 4: worked out. I mean, obviously Emma was appointed as the 28 00:01:41,587 --> 00:01:46,907 Speaker 4: academy director, and you know, over time it sort of 29 00:01:46,907 --> 00:01:50,307 Speaker 4: became apparent that it might become an option, and you know, 30 00:01:50,347 --> 00:01:52,107 Speaker 4: once we sort of sat and we had a couple 31 00:01:52,147 --> 00:01:55,147 Speaker 4: of coffees and you get to sort of understand where 32 00:01:55,227 --> 00:01:57,587 Speaker 4: she was at. You know, obviously it's not just about 33 00:01:57,587 --> 00:01:59,027 Speaker 4: the football at the moment too. There's a lot of 34 00:01:59,067 --> 00:02:01,227 Speaker 4: stuff with the family and everything like that, so you know, 35 00:02:01,267 --> 00:02:03,347 Speaker 4: it just sort of became more and more reality. And 36 00:02:03,987 --> 00:02:08,107 Speaker 4: to have a coach of her international experience A at 37 00:02:08,107 --> 00:02:11,427 Speaker 4: the Wallingston Phoenix and B in the league is great, 38 00:02:11,507 --> 00:02:13,667 Speaker 4: you know, and it's also great for the women's game 39 00:02:13,667 --> 00:02:14,787 Speaker 4: here in New Zealand. 40 00:02:14,747 --> 00:02:16,107 Speaker 2: Now that she is on board or you know what 41 00:02:16,387 --> 00:02:18,747 Speaker 2: been it's obviously been confirmed for a little while announced 42 00:02:19,387 --> 00:02:21,387 Speaker 2: during the week. What have you seen from her? 43 00:02:21,467 --> 00:02:22,227 Speaker 3: Has she has? 44 00:02:22,227 --> 00:02:24,467 Speaker 2: She been what you expected in terms of how she's 45 00:02:24,507 --> 00:02:27,667 Speaker 2: preparing for her first campaign as the women's coach. 46 00:02:28,067 --> 00:02:28,307 Speaker 3: Yeah. 47 00:02:28,307 --> 00:02:30,787 Speaker 4: Look, even in the early conversations, you know what really 48 00:02:30,827 --> 00:02:35,387 Speaker 4: came through is a is a really thoughtful coach. You know, 49 00:02:35,467 --> 00:02:40,707 Speaker 4: obviously really high experience, an energy, and a passion and 50 00:02:40,827 --> 00:02:44,347 Speaker 4: a professionalism, but also that winning mentality and that winning 51 00:02:44,387 --> 00:02:47,667 Speaker 4: sort of desire came through really strong. And you know 52 00:02:47,707 --> 00:02:49,507 Speaker 4: we've seen that over the last couple of days with 53 00:02:49,547 --> 00:02:52,387 Speaker 4: her in the office, and yeah, just really thrilled that 54 00:02:52,427 --> 00:02:54,547 Speaker 4: we're going to have someone leading the program. 55 00:02:54,907 --> 00:02:58,827 Speaker 2: And today you've unveiled c J Bider fifty football furnace, 56 00:02:58,867 --> 00:03:01,947 Speaker 2: the latest acquisition. It's an impressive roster that's being built. 57 00:03:02,347 --> 00:03:05,067 Speaker 2: How optimistic do you feel about the women's program at 58 00:03:05,107 --> 00:03:05,427 Speaker 2: the moment? 59 00:03:05,747 --> 00:03:07,107 Speaker 3: Yeah, we're really excited. 60 00:03:07,907 --> 00:03:10,867 Speaker 4: You know, obviously there is a level of pressure that's 61 00:03:10,907 --> 00:03:12,827 Speaker 4: going to go on that program. You know, the investment 62 00:03:12,907 --> 00:03:16,987 Speaker 4: that the owners have put into it, you know, the facilities, obviously, 63 00:03:17,227 --> 00:03:20,587 Speaker 4: the squad. A coach like that you don't do all 64 00:03:20,667 --> 00:03:23,427 Speaker 4: that to want to be outside the top six or 65 00:03:23,467 --> 00:03:26,587 Speaker 4: even go higher. So you know there is a high 66 00:03:26,627 --> 00:03:29,667 Speaker 4: expectation on that program. But we think we're bringing a 67 00:03:29,707 --> 00:03:31,827 Speaker 4: color of player and obviously a color of coach that 68 00:03:31,867 --> 00:03:34,227 Speaker 4: can cope with that pressure and hopefully going to deliver 69 00:03:34,347 --> 00:03:36,187 Speaker 4: something that hasn't been done here at the club before. 70 00:03:36,707 --> 00:03:39,867 Speaker 2: Is there some demonstrate to shift and focus away from 71 00:03:39,907 --> 00:03:42,587 Speaker 2: the men to the women at the Phoenix, No, I. 72 00:03:42,547 --> 00:03:44,347 Speaker 4: Don't think it's a shift away from the men. I 73 00:03:44,387 --> 00:03:46,667 Speaker 4: think what we're seeing now is the evolution of the 74 00:03:46,707 --> 00:03:48,907 Speaker 4: football club. You know, we've had the Aly women's program 75 00:03:48,947 --> 00:03:52,387 Speaker 4: in place for this will be the fifth season. You know, 76 00:03:52,467 --> 00:03:55,147 Speaker 4: first couple of seasons was in conjunction of New Zealm 77 00:03:55,147 --> 00:03:57,987 Speaker 4: Football obviously, and the last couple of seasons we've taken 78 00:03:58,027 --> 00:04:00,347 Speaker 4: it over. We've introduced visa players and you sort of 79 00:04:00,867 --> 00:04:02,827 Speaker 4: I guess as a club we just try it. We're 80 00:04:02,987 --> 00:04:04,947 Speaker 4: not trying. We had to get to grips with what 81 00:04:04,987 --> 00:04:06,667 Speaker 4: it meant to have an Alien women's program. You know, 82 00:04:06,707 --> 00:04:10,547 Speaker 4: we talk to have an Ali women's program. So yeah, 83 00:04:10,587 --> 00:04:13,227 Speaker 4: it's definitely not a one or the other. You know, 84 00:04:13,267 --> 00:04:15,587 Speaker 4: the club is so big now compared to it. I 85 00:04:15,907 --> 00:04:17,587 Speaker 4: started here and we had one men's team in a 86 00:04:17,627 --> 00:04:19,707 Speaker 4: football school of excellence. You know, we've now got the 87 00:04:19,747 --> 00:04:21,987 Speaker 4: only women's program, the only men's program, and eight teams 88 00:04:21,987 --> 00:04:24,787 Speaker 4: in the academy, three girls teams, five boys teams. 89 00:04:25,107 --> 00:04:27,627 Speaker 3: So every part of that is critical to the football club. 90 00:04:28,107 --> 00:04:30,387 Speaker 4: And you know, there's just as much the expectation on 91 00:04:30,427 --> 00:04:32,747 Speaker 4: the ALLY men's program to get top six this year 92 00:04:32,787 --> 00:04:34,347 Speaker 4: as there is on the woman's to get top six. 93 00:04:34,427 --> 00:04:37,907 Speaker 4: So yeah, definitely not one or the other. But I 94 00:04:37,907 --> 00:04:42,907 Speaker 4: think what we are seeing is is, rather than just 95 00:04:42,987 --> 00:04:45,507 Speaker 4: going spending money on the ALI men's program, put that 96 00:04:45,587 --> 00:04:47,467 Speaker 4: investment into the ALI women's program and try. 97 00:04:47,347 --> 00:04:49,067 Speaker 3: And bring that up to that level. 98 00:04:49,747 --> 00:04:51,707 Speaker 2: So still one import spot I think available in the 99 00:04:51,707 --> 00:04:53,147 Speaker 2: women and I think one and the men as well. 100 00:04:53,187 --> 00:04:54,667 Speaker 2: You're keen to fill those two spots. 101 00:04:54,787 --> 00:04:58,867 Speaker 4: Yeah, one d per well, definitely, we're We're in discussions 102 00:04:58,867 --> 00:05:04,307 Speaker 4: at the moment with a woman's visa and things are 103 00:05:04,347 --> 00:05:06,627 Speaker 4: looking reasonably positive there, but it relies on a on 104 00:05:06,707 --> 00:05:09,587 Speaker 4: a couple of other things to happen in a chain, 105 00:05:10,267 --> 00:05:12,707 Speaker 4: so you know that could drop, hopefully in the next 106 00:05:12,707 --> 00:05:14,707 Speaker 4: couple of days, which would be really excited about and 107 00:05:14,747 --> 00:05:18,587 Speaker 4: we'll really sort of finish off the one part of 108 00:05:18,667 --> 00:05:21,947 Speaker 4: the football pitch for the early woman and in the 109 00:05:21,947 --> 00:05:25,827 Speaker 4: mean space we will definitely utilize that. It has been 110 00:05:25,867 --> 00:05:27,827 Speaker 4: a wrestle at the moment to sort of figure out 111 00:05:27,907 --> 00:05:30,747 Speaker 4: what's the best use of that last visa spot. You know, 112 00:05:30,827 --> 00:05:34,787 Speaker 4: there's obviously the defense that we need to bring some 113 00:05:34,867 --> 00:05:37,907 Speaker 4: experience into and some quality into, but there's also another 114 00:05:37,947 --> 00:05:40,347 Speaker 4: attacking option we need to look at. So you know, 115 00:05:40,427 --> 00:05:44,467 Speaker 4: we're taking our time to find the right balance for that, 116 00:05:44,947 --> 00:05:47,667 Speaker 4: and that really is dictated by what's the quality of 117 00:05:47,707 --> 00:05:50,147 Speaker 4: the local market and where that's best suited. And then 118 00:05:50,427 --> 00:05:52,707 Speaker 4: you know, whatever you get there will then dictate where 119 00:05:52,707 --> 00:05:53,907 Speaker 4: you use the visa. 120 00:05:53,987 --> 00:05:57,667 Speaker 2: So yeah, so basically, yeah, yeah, if you're sign an 121 00:05:57,667 --> 00:06:03,147 Speaker 2: overseas defender, you're looking for a local attacker and vice versa. Yeah, 122 00:06:03,187 --> 00:06:05,907 Speaker 2: without wanting to find out which way you're going to go, 123 00:06:05,987 --> 00:06:07,987 Speaker 2: do you feel like there is the local cover in 124 00:06:08,067 --> 00:06:10,707 Speaker 2: both positions depending on which way you do go with the. 125 00:06:10,707 --> 00:06:13,307 Speaker 4: Import look, I think at the moment, it's probably safe 126 00:06:13,347 --> 00:06:18,667 Speaker 4: to say there are probably better options in the in 127 00:06:18,707 --> 00:06:21,267 Speaker 4: the attacking space than there are in the center back space. 128 00:06:21,267 --> 00:06:24,547 Speaker 4: At the moment, the local center back market is pretty dry. 129 00:06:25,107 --> 00:06:27,147 Speaker 4: We had a couple of leads we thought we might 130 00:06:27,187 --> 00:06:29,387 Speaker 4: get close on one. Again, those were all part of 131 00:06:29,427 --> 00:06:31,467 Speaker 4: a chain of events that needed to happen, which didn't 132 00:06:31,507 --> 00:06:33,667 Speaker 4: happen before a particular window shut around the world. 133 00:06:33,747 --> 00:06:35,067 Speaker 3: So I think it's. 134 00:06:34,947 --> 00:06:38,467 Speaker 4: Looking more and more like you know, the Visa go 135 00:06:38,627 --> 00:06:40,907 Speaker 4: center back and bring some attacking options and to go 136 00:06:40,987 --> 00:06:43,467 Speaker 4: around some quality that we have here. You know, you've 137 00:06:43,507 --> 00:06:45,947 Speaker 4: still got Luke brook Smith who's showing some good signs 138 00:06:45,987 --> 00:06:48,347 Speaker 4: gap both had actually games the other night. I thought 139 00:06:48,387 --> 00:06:50,907 Speaker 4: head was very very good the other night. Arrives into 140 00:06:50,947 --> 00:06:53,187 Speaker 4: Oton on Sunday. You know, hopefully we get him on 141 00:06:53,227 --> 00:06:55,227 Speaker 4: the pitch for the next Cup game, and you know 142 00:06:55,267 --> 00:06:58,427 Speaker 4: there is there is some quality there. Carlo almi Into 143 00:06:58,467 --> 00:07:00,187 Speaker 4: again another one you know, can play as the ten. 144 00:07:00,227 --> 00:07:01,587 Speaker 4: It's probably been brought more in for it as a 145 00:07:01,627 --> 00:07:03,667 Speaker 4: wing back, but can play in that ten spot. So 146 00:07:04,587 --> 00:07:07,307 Speaker 4: right now it's probably makes more and some more pragmatic 147 00:07:07,347 --> 00:07:08,787 Speaker 4: to look at the center backers of Visa. 148 00:07:09,267 --> 00:07:11,667 Speaker 2: And a good couple of weeks for the men's team too, 149 00:07:11,787 --> 00:07:13,587 Speaker 2: went over Wrexham in front of a big crowd at 150 00:07:13,587 --> 00:07:16,627 Speaker 2: sky Stadium. You go to Perth and win eight to 151 00:07:16,707 --> 00:07:19,947 Speaker 2: seven on penalties over there to advance in the Australia Cup. 152 00:07:20,027 --> 00:07:21,947 Speaker 2: So is there a a bit of confidence, bit of 153 00:07:21,947 --> 00:07:23,587 Speaker 2: momentum building in the men's side right now. 154 00:07:24,067 --> 00:07:27,907 Speaker 4: Yeah, it's you know, there was obviously a lot that 155 00:07:27,987 --> 00:07:30,827 Speaker 4: went on last season and a lot of discussion and 156 00:07:30,827 --> 00:07:32,347 Speaker 4: debate at the end of it. You know, there's a 157 00:07:32,387 --> 00:07:34,347 Speaker 4: lot of pressure has come on the on the ailing 158 00:07:34,427 --> 00:07:37,427 Speaker 4: men's side and I think it's really pleasing to see, 159 00:07:38,067 --> 00:07:41,107 Speaker 4: you know, obviously get a fantastic result against Rexham. You know, 160 00:07:41,147 --> 00:07:42,747 Speaker 4: the first half team that were mainly aided to at 161 00:07:42,827 --> 00:07:45,027 Speaker 4: least a clean sheet and really competitive, so that was 162 00:07:45,067 --> 00:07:47,747 Speaker 4: good to see. Yeah, excellent for the Academy boys to 163 00:07:47,787 --> 00:07:50,307 Speaker 4: come on and actually turn it into a result, which 164 00:07:50,347 --> 00:07:53,507 Speaker 4: is really pleasing. And then you know the trip to 165 00:07:53,547 --> 00:07:56,067 Speaker 4: Perth is always a tough one and to do that 166 00:07:56,147 --> 00:08:00,667 Speaker 4: with you know, largely Academy graduates plus our three visa 167 00:08:00,667 --> 00:08:03,467 Speaker 4: players and Pola coming back in was phenomenal And I 168 00:08:03,467 --> 00:08:07,667 Speaker 4: thought the character of the boys to their early in 169 00:08:07,707 --> 00:08:11,107 Speaker 4: the preseason, beyond a plane to Perth to play one 170 00:08:11,147 --> 00:08:13,347 Speaker 4: hundred and twenty minutes, you know, have the weather conditions 171 00:08:13,387 --> 00:08:15,547 Speaker 4: that there were a stop in the game and then 172 00:08:15,587 --> 00:08:18,027 Speaker 4: to step up and finish it off and pens with 173 00:08:18,107 --> 00:08:20,187 Speaker 4: some very good pens from some very young players was 174 00:08:20,547 --> 00:08:21,187 Speaker 4: really pleasing. 175 00:08:21,307 --> 00:08:22,907 Speaker 3: So there's some good signs. 176 00:08:22,907 --> 00:08:24,307 Speaker 4: You know, none of us want to get carried away 177 00:08:24,347 --> 00:08:26,347 Speaker 4: too early because it is early doors, it is preseason, 178 00:08:26,467 --> 00:08:29,867 Speaker 4: but you know, the signs are positive that this group 179 00:08:30,107 --> 00:08:33,067 Speaker 4: has something about them. They've come in, they're working hard. 180 00:08:33,147 --> 00:08:35,467 Speaker 4: You know, we still have Roofs and pay need to 181 00:08:35,467 --> 00:08:38,507 Speaker 4: bring back into the mix as well. You know, Corbyn 182 00:08:38,507 --> 00:08:40,307 Speaker 4: Pipe is still all return as well. So you know, 183 00:08:40,347 --> 00:08:42,827 Speaker 4: it is pleasing to see that we're getting those results 184 00:08:42,827 --> 00:08:46,507 Speaker 4: so far with a younger group and the visa players 185 00:08:46,507 --> 00:08:48,667 Speaker 4: from last year, and you know, now as we bring 186 00:08:48,707 --> 00:08:50,747 Speaker 4: more back into it, you know, hopefully we can push on. 187 00:08:51,387 --> 00:08:53,307 Speaker 2: Just back to Bev, there was always going to be 188 00:08:53,347 --> 00:08:56,067 Speaker 2: a bit of noise around her appointment, given her twelve 189 00:08:56,067 --> 00:08:58,187 Speaker 2: month ban and the circumstances behind it. Did you have 190 00:08:58,187 --> 00:09:00,307 Speaker 2: to factor that in when you made the decision to 191 00:09:00,387 --> 00:09:00,747 Speaker 2: hire her. 192 00:09:02,827 --> 00:09:03,947 Speaker 3: Not really, I mean it was. 193 00:09:06,187 --> 00:09:08,787 Speaker 4: Just good of opportunity not to not to look at right, 194 00:09:09,307 --> 00:09:11,787 Speaker 4: you know, we definitely we definitely spoke with her about 195 00:09:11,867 --> 00:09:13,667 Speaker 4: what we would have gone on, and she obviously gave 196 00:09:13,707 --> 00:09:16,307 Speaker 4: her a side of what went on and you know 197 00:09:16,507 --> 00:09:19,467 Speaker 4: you hear other things as well, and as Rob alludes to, 198 00:09:19,627 --> 00:09:21,547 Speaker 4: you know, we're completely comfortable with who she is and 199 00:09:21,587 --> 00:09:25,627 Speaker 4: who she was. People make mistakes, you know, we've had 200 00:09:25,667 --> 00:09:27,787 Speaker 4: other people make mistakes within the club. It was only 201 00:09:27,827 --> 00:09:30,347 Speaker 4: a few years back we had the incident through COVID 202 00:09:30,427 --> 00:09:33,387 Speaker 4: with Payney and Olie Sail, you know, and those guys 203 00:09:33,667 --> 00:09:35,507 Speaker 4: we showed faith in them and you know they did 204 00:09:35,547 --> 00:09:37,907 Speaker 4: their their penance for what they've done and you know 205 00:09:37,947 --> 00:09:39,947 Speaker 4: they've both kicked on to be excellent players in the 206 00:09:39,947 --> 00:09:44,587 Speaker 4: A League. So everyone deserves the chance. And you know 207 00:09:44,627 --> 00:09:48,347 Speaker 4: Beev's character as such that you know she's not a 208 00:09:48,387 --> 00:09:49,307 Speaker 4: repeat offender. 209 00:09:49,467 --> 00:09:51,307 Speaker 3: You know she's a good person, she's a good character. 210 00:09:51,427 --> 00:09:53,907 Speaker 4: She's a phenomenal football coach and to have that at 211 00:09:53,907 --> 00:09:54,907 Speaker 4: the club as a no brainer. 212 00:09:55,067 --> 00:09:57,707 Speaker 2: That is Sean gil, director of football at Wellington Phoenix, 213 00:09:57,747 --> 00:10:00,267 Speaker 2: talking about the recruitment of Bev Priestman as women's coach 214 00:10:00,307 --> 00:10:01,587 Speaker 2: and some other football matters too. 215 00:10:02,347 --> 00:10:05,547 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 216 00:10:05,667 --> 00:10:08,947 Speaker 1: to news Talk it Be weekends from midday or follow 217 00:10:08,987 --> 00:10:10,587 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.