1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,507 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:12,547 Speaker 1: from newstalks'b. 3 00:00:13,027 --> 00:00:16,987 Speaker 2: Including the recruitment of CJ Bott, fifty cap football Ferns 4 00:00:17,027 --> 00:00:21,707 Speaker 2: defender who was confirmed as the squad's latest acquisition this 5 00:00:21,787 --> 00:00:23,507 Speaker 2: week as well. I spoke to her to find out 6 00:00:23,547 --> 00:00:24,387 Speaker 2: how this came about. 7 00:00:24,627 --> 00:00:27,027 Speaker 3: I mean it started off probably a year ago with 8 00:00:27,107 --> 00:00:29,587 Speaker 3: a kind of the idea I suppose was floated floated 9 00:00:29,587 --> 00:00:31,747 Speaker 3: around and I wasn't so sure, but I think after 10 00:00:31,827 --> 00:00:35,027 Speaker 3: having a few conversations with the staff here at the club, 11 00:00:35,067 --> 00:00:38,147 Speaker 3: you could really see the ambition, the investment in the team, 12 00:00:38,307 --> 00:00:41,027 Speaker 3: and so from that point of view it felt right. 13 00:00:41,067 --> 00:00:43,307 Speaker 3: And then obviously from a personal point of view as well, 14 00:00:43,587 --> 00:00:46,307 Speaker 3: coming home it's a pretty special special thing for me. 15 00:00:46,427 --> 00:00:48,427 Speaker 3: So yeah, it all just kind of fit in really 16 00:00:48,507 --> 00:00:50,067 Speaker 3: nicely and felt like the right time. 17 00:00:50,507 --> 00:00:52,307 Speaker 2: He had four seasons at Lester. How do you look 18 00:00:52,347 --> 00:00:52,987 Speaker 2: back on that time. 19 00:00:53,587 --> 00:00:56,067 Speaker 3: Yeah, my four seasons at Leicester was incredible. Obviously there 20 00:00:56,067 --> 00:00:58,627 Speaker 3: are a lot of ups and downs as well, but 21 00:00:59,427 --> 00:01:02,947 Speaker 3: it was It was a really incredible experience, really incredible time. 22 00:01:03,267 --> 00:01:06,907 Speaker 3: I learned such valuable lessons as a as a footballer, 23 00:01:06,987 --> 00:01:09,467 Speaker 3: especially as a defender. Playing in that league and I 24 00:01:09,507 --> 00:01:11,587 Speaker 3: really feel like I've gone from strength to strength there 25 00:01:11,587 --> 00:01:13,867 Speaker 3: and I've got a lot to bring back to this 26 00:01:13,907 --> 00:01:14,507 Speaker 3: club as well. 27 00:01:14,867 --> 00:01:16,867 Speaker 2: How different are you as a footballer from the one 28 00:01:16,867 --> 00:01:20,427 Speaker 2: who first left Wellington all those years ago? You know, 29 00:01:20,467 --> 00:01:23,307 Speaker 2: to seek your footballing, you know, fortune and fame. 30 00:01:23,787 --> 00:01:25,467 Speaker 3: Some people might disagree, but I think I'm a lot 31 00:01:25,507 --> 00:01:28,787 Speaker 3: calmer now. I've learned a lot more control and I've 32 00:01:28,827 --> 00:01:31,027 Speaker 3: learned a lot more about the game as well. Playing 33 00:01:31,067 --> 00:01:34,387 Speaker 3: in a lot of different countries it's been really beneficial, 34 00:01:34,427 --> 00:01:36,587 Speaker 3: I guess, to see the game from a lot of 35 00:01:36,627 --> 00:01:39,827 Speaker 3: different perspectives. Every country and every team plays a bit different, 36 00:01:39,907 --> 00:01:42,827 Speaker 3: so that's been really crucial. And yeah, I've just I 37 00:01:42,867 --> 00:01:45,947 Speaker 3: guess I've refined refined since leaving Wellington. 38 00:01:46,547 --> 00:01:48,627 Speaker 2: And this is a bit of a full circle moment. 39 00:01:48,667 --> 00:01:50,987 Speaker 2: You grew up in Wellington and you're back here now. 40 00:01:51,547 --> 00:01:54,867 Speaker 2: You know, when you were growing up as a young player, 41 00:01:55,267 --> 00:01:56,987 Speaker 2: this sort of thing wasn't available, right, There was no 42 00:01:57,587 --> 00:01:59,987 Speaker 2: professional women's team in your own country. That's why you 43 00:02:00,027 --> 00:02:02,347 Speaker 2: had to go. So does this feel a bit full 44 00:02:02,347 --> 00:02:02,907 Speaker 2: circle to you? 45 00:02:03,107 --> 00:02:05,907 Speaker 3: Yeah, it absolutely does. Like you say, there wasn't this 46 00:02:05,987 --> 00:02:08,227 Speaker 3: kind of opportunity growing up and to be perfectly honest, 47 00:02:08,227 --> 00:02:09,827 Speaker 3: I didn't even think i'd ever be able to be 48 00:02:09,867 --> 00:02:12,587 Speaker 3: a professional footballer, So to have the opportunities I've had 49 00:02:12,627 --> 00:02:15,707 Speaker 3: overseas is really incredible. But to be able to come 50 00:02:15,747 --> 00:02:19,427 Speaker 3: back to a place like Wellington and facilities like we've 51 00:02:19,467 --> 00:02:22,747 Speaker 3: got here at the nzcis it's pretty incredible. I feel 52 00:02:22,827 --> 00:02:26,267 Speaker 3: very lucky and yeah, just really grateful that we've had 53 00:02:26,347 --> 00:02:28,627 Speaker 3: this kind of investment and that this opportunities here now. 54 00:02:28,787 --> 00:02:30,587 Speaker 2: And you'll be playing at Pottydoor Park which is only 55 00:02:30,587 --> 00:02:32,267 Speaker 2: a few kilometers from where you grew up, right, So 56 00:02:32,347 --> 00:02:35,067 Speaker 2: really it's this is a full circle for you, isn't it. 57 00:02:35,067 --> 00:02:37,027 Speaker 3: It absolutely is. If you told me when I was 58 00:02:37,147 --> 00:02:39,467 Speaker 3: twelve years old that i'd be playing professionally in pottydo Or, 59 00:02:39,467 --> 00:02:42,347 Speaker 3: I'd probably laugh at you. So it is really cool, 60 00:02:42,387 --> 00:02:44,787 Speaker 3: And yeah, I'm really excited to see my friends and 61 00:02:44,787 --> 00:02:45,947 Speaker 3: family in the stands as well. 62 00:02:46,307 --> 00:02:47,827 Speaker 2: And b F Priestman as the head coach. How much 63 00:02:47,827 --> 00:02:50,747 Speaker 2: you're looking forward to working with her as your head coach? 64 00:02:50,827 --> 00:02:53,347 Speaker 3: Yeah, I'm really looking forward to it. I had her 65 00:02:53,387 --> 00:02:54,587 Speaker 3: for a short stint when I was in the New 66 00:02:54,627 --> 00:02:57,387 Speaker 3: Zealand Under seventeens and that was a really cool time. 67 00:02:57,427 --> 00:03:00,027 Speaker 3: And so, yeah, she's got a lot of valuable experience 68 00:03:00,147 --> 00:03:01,747 Speaker 3: and I think I'm going to learn a lot under her. 69 00:03:02,227 --> 00:03:05,107 Speaker 2: Fifty caps for the football Ferns. How strong are your 70 00:03:05,267 --> 00:03:06,907 Speaker 2: international ambitions still? 71 00:03:07,387 --> 00:03:10,147 Speaker 3: They're as strong as I've ever been. I am definitely. 72 00:03:10,267 --> 00:03:12,507 Speaker 3: I have my eyes set on that World Cup and 73 00:03:12,867 --> 00:03:14,507 Speaker 3: I have every intention of being there. 74 00:03:14,787 --> 00:03:17,147 Speaker 2: Because we haven't seen you this year in the football firms, 75 00:03:17,147 --> 00:03:18,907 Speaker 2: so I think we saw you quite regularly in twenty 76 00:03:18,907 --> 00:03:21,747 Speaker 2: twenty four and obviously before that. So are you ready 77 00:03:21,787 --> 00:03:23,987 Speaker 2: to go again at the next time of asking, Yeah, 78 00:03:24,027 --> 00:03:24,387 Speaker 2: I think so. 79 00:03:24,547 --> 00:03:26,827 Speaker 3: I mean there's conversations to be had, for sure, and 80 00:03:27,307 --> 00:03:30,387 Speaker 3: I can't assume anything, and yeah, there's definitely work to 81 00:03:30,387 --> 00:03:32,627 Speaker 3: be done in that space. But like I say, I 82 00:03:32,667 --> 00:03:34,547 Speaker 3: have every intention of being back with the team when 83 00:03:34,587 --> 00:03:36,707 Speaker 3: that is I'm not too sure yet, but hopefully soon. 84 00:03:36,907 --> 00:03:38,627 Speaker 2: So when you said this work to be done, what 85 00:03:38,667 --> 00:03:39,387 Speaker 2: do you mean by that? 86 00:03:39,907 --> 00:03:42,267 Speaker 3: I mean, I've obviously been away from the team for 87 00:03:42,307 --> 00:03:44,987 Speaker 3: a little while a little while now, and I can't 88 00:03:44,987 --> 00:03:46,747 Speaker 3: assume that I'm going to be back and I have 89 00:03:46,787 --> 00:03:49,307 Speaker 3: to earn my spot, and like I say, there's conversations 90 00:03:49,307 --> 00:03:52,467 Speaker 3: that need to be had which yeah, I'm definitely ready 91 00:03:52,507 --> 00:03:52,947 Speaker 3: for I think. 92 00:03:53,187 --> 00:03:54,667 Speaker 2: And back to this Phoenix side. You look at the 93 00:03:54,747 --> 00:03:56,947 Speaker 2: roster that's been assembled, you're the latest addition to it. 94 00:03:56,947 --> 00:03:58,707 Speaker 2: Does it feel like an exciting team, one that can 95 00:03:59,347 --> 00:04:00,507 Speaker 2: do well in the season ahead. 96 00:04:00,707 --> 00:04:03,347 Speaker 3: Yeah. Absolutely, I think they've done really well with the 97 00:04:03,347 --> 00:04:05,747 Speaker 3: recruitment and yeah, I'm really excited. 98 00:04:05,467 --> 00:04:08,267 Speaker 2: For the season ahead and the chance, as you said before, 99 00:04:08,307 --> 00:04:12,107 Speaker 2: to have your family in some of your oldest friends 100 00:04:12,107 --> 00:04:14,387 Speaker 2: watching on from the stands. Is that a buzz as 101 00:04:14,387 --> 00:04:15,787 Speaker 2: a footballer, absolutely? 102 00:04:15,827 --> 00:04:18,507 Speaker 3: I think I love playing in front of a crowd 103 00:04:18,627 --> 00:04:21,867 Speaker 3: and it's always special having family and friends in the crowd, 104 00:04:21,867 --> 00:04:23,547 Speaker 3: and for me, I haven't really been able to have 105 00:04:23,547 --> 00:04:25,507 Speaker 3: that unless it's kind of been a World Cup or 106 00:04:25,827 --> 00:04:28,467 Speaker 3: home games with the Ferns. So it'll be really different 107 00:04:28,507 --> 00:04:30,787 Speaker 3: for me having more than just my partner in the stands. 108 00:04:31,707 --> 00:04:34,427 Speaker 3: But I'm so so excited to have them there and 109 00:04:34,507 --> 00:04:35,867 Speaker 3: for it to just be down the road for them 110 00:04:35,907 --> 00:04:37,147 Speaker 3: as well as extra special. 111 00:04:37,467 --> 00:04:39,267 Speaker 2: How important has he been in all of this? 112 00:04:39,627 --> 00:04:42,947 Speaker 3: Oh, he's awesome. He's my biggest fan, he's my biggest supporter, 113 00:04:43,027 --> 00:04:44,827 Speaker 3: and yeah, it's pretty special to be able to bring 114 00:04:44,867 --> 00:04:45,627 Speaker 3: him home as well. 115 00:04:46,227 --> 00:04:49,307 Speaker 2: That is CJ. Bott Football Fern and now Wellington Phoenix 116 00:04:49,307 --> 00:04:51,067 Speaker 2: defender for the next two seasons. 117 00:04:51,587 --> 00:04:54,787 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 118 00:04:54,907 --> 00:04:58,187 Speaker 1: to News Talk Said Be weekends from midday or follow 119 00:04:58,227 --> 00:04:59,827 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio