Natalie Lawrence - Wellington roots

On November 20, under the lights at Sky Stadium, and in front of up to 34,500 fans, Wellington Phoenix will make history.

When the team kicks off their 2022-23 A-League Women campaign, it will be the first time a professional women’s soccer team from New Zealand have played on the country’s soil.

Phoenix joined the league last season as an expansion team, but - like their male counterparts - played their home games in Australia, to avoid the travel complications associated with Covid restrictions.

Now, though, they are able to return home - and head coach Natalie Lawrence says their first game, against Melbourne City, will be “a pretty incredible moment for women’s football in New Zealand”.

She added: “To be able to walk out with the team, see that and be part of that, is going to be one of those moments I don’t even properly allow myself to fully take in until after the game.

“And to do it with this group of players, who I’ve worked with for a number of years, that moment after the game – win, lose or draw – will be one of pride.”