Mackenzie Barry staying at Wellington Phoenix
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The Wellington Phoenix have confirmed the women’s teams most capped player is returning for a sixth season.
Mackenzie Barry, who has been steady at the back for the Phoenix since the women’s inaugural season, has re-signed with the club for the 2026-27 A-League.
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Barry has started a remarkable 91 of the team’s 97 matches in their history, including all 20 of their record-breaking 2025-26 regular season.
The centre back has also led the Nix in the absence of club captain CJ Bott, who is expecting her first child in July.
Phoenix head coach Bev Priestman says Barry is a key part of the team’s spine and epitomises the club’s values.
“What you’ve seen on the pitch this season from a team effort perspective is driven a lot by Mack at the back,” Priestman said.
“She’s the ultimate professional, and a world class defender and human.
“When I brought in new players to this team this season they had to know what it means to play for this city and this country in the A-League, and there’s nobody greater than Mack to do that.
“Her daily training habits are elite. Whether it’s a passing pattern or a full XI vs XI game it means the same, and she drives the training standards.
“She’s also one of the toughest players I’ve ever worked with, playing through mild hypothermia and rolled ankles to name a few this season. It means the world to her to play for this club.”
Mackenzie Barry says it was an easy decision to extend her stay in the capital.
“This has been by far the most enjoyable and successful season of my career,” Barry said. “So, why would I want to leave?
“The Phoenix is like home to me. It’s my first professional club. I was picked, trusted and believed in when I was 19 to play consistently.
“It’s been a long journey. Some hard games and some tough seasons, but it’s all been worth it.
“The team is shaping up to be really strong again next season with the early re-signings of our visa players and multiple Kiwis are on two-year contracts.
“And we’ve got Bev of course, who has been amazing. She’s the best coach I’ve ever had so that’s a big win as well.”
Barry believes Wellington is the best place for her to push for selection in the Football Ferns squad for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 in Brazil.
“It’s a huge goal of mine. I missed out on the last World Cup at home and that was really upsetting.
“But being a part of the Olympics in France more recently gave me some tournament experience and it was amazing. I’m really hoping to be picked again.
“This season I’ve learnt so much, I feel like I’ve improved under Bev, and I feel like there is more growth there.
“And the consistency in my minutes, the level of training here, everything can set me up well to be in the best position for World Cup selection.”
Mackenzie Barry is the fourth women’s player to re-sign with the Wellington Phoenix in recent weeks and means there are already 11 squad members on the club’s books for next seaso
