South Islander Lara Wall has landed her maiden pro contract following a successful trial with the Wellington Phoenix.
The fullback has signed a two-year deal with the Phoenix, the first year of which is on scholarship terms.
Wall (24) is originally from Dunedin but has spent the past five seasons with the Canterbury United Pride and has won two national league titles.
Main photo: Lara Wall … ‘When I got the call to trial, it came as a bit of a shock.’
Phoenix head coach Paul Temple was quickly convinced of Wall’s ability to step up to the Ninja A-League.
“Lara came in on trial at the start of our pre-season and really impressed the staff,” Temple said.
“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.”
Lara Wall has already played with a number of the Phoenix players, including club captain Annalie Longo and centre back Rebecca Lake.
“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.”
Wall will bring versatility and attacking flair to the Wellington backline.
“My strengths are being able to use both feet, and my speed on the wing. When I was young, my dad used to make me kick with both feet.
“I usually play on the left, but I am right-footed. It’s good to be able to cut in or drive down the line, but I don’t mind playing either side.
“I ended up playing wingback for Cashmere Tech this season, which meant I was able to get forward more and score. Flea and I set each other up for a few goals!”
She plans to juggle professional football with her current job as a structural engineer.
“I work for a company called Holmes, and I’m fortunate to be able to transfer to their Wellington office.
“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.”
Lara Wall will wear the no. 21 shirt during the 2024-25 Ninja A-League.
Players signed for next season
Phoenix women’s head coach Paul Temple has 19 players contracted for the 2024-25 A-League season.
The players signed are Annalie Longo (captain), Maya McCutcheon, Grace Jale, Olivia Fergusson, Alyssa Whinham, Carolina Vilão, Tiana Jaber, Emma Main, Mackenzie Barry, Olivia Ingham, Zoe McMeeken, Manaia Elliott, Daisy Brazendale, Rebecca Lake, Aimee Danieli, Ella McMillan, Ela Jerez, Ella McCann and Lara Wall.
However, Ella McCann has suffered a season-ending injury, tearing her ACL at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia.
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This story was first published on October 3, 2024.
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