Wall rejoins Wellington Pheonix Women's squad
Football Fern fullback Lara Wall has earnt a new contract with the Wellington Phoenix.
on the eve of the 2026-27 A-League.
Wall was farewelled by the Phoenix during the off season after making 39 appearances over the past two years and she had lined up a move to a rival A-League club.
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But when that fell over the popular squad member was invited back by the Nix to take part in pre-season to help keep her fit and ready should another team come calling.
Wall ended up playing a full part over the past seven weeks and has impressed Phoenix head coach Bev Priestman.
“We’re delighted to welcome Lara back to the fold,” Priestman said. “She’s shown incredible hunger, desire and commitment to the Phoenix throughout the pre-season to train and play with us without a contract.
“Lara’s done incredibly well day-in, day-out and we really wanted to reward her with a new deal.
“She’s been an integral part of the team well before my time and what I’ve seen from this pre-season she’s still an integral part of this team both on and off the pitch.”
The contract offer came as a bit of a surprise for Lara Wall, who thought her time at the Phoenix would be up at the end of pre-season.
“I’m really grateful to be given the opportunity to keep playing and do what I love,” Wall said.
“I thought I would be leaving Wellington, I just didn’t know when.
“I was gutted that I would have to stop training after pre-season because I’ve been feeling in form and ready.
“And I didn’t want to leave the team and the coaching staff. They’re all lovely people and the trainings are so intense and so good for me.
“So, I’m very excited to stay around the group and staff and continue my time at the Phoenix.”
Wall will continue to juggle her work as a structural engineer at Holmes NZ with her football career.
“My work is so stoked that I’m staying and that I can say to them that I’m in Wellington for a whole season.
“They’ve been pretty on edge with me saying ‘I might be going’ and I’ve been giving them pretty mixed messages about leaving or staying.
“So, when I said ‘I can confirm I am going to be in Wellington’ they were so happy as they’re also Phoenix fans.
“Throughout pre-season I’ve found a really nice balance between working, training and dealing with potentially leaving.
“Now I don’t have to deal with the added stress of where I’m going to go, I can just focus on football, work and I think I’ve got the balance down pat.”
And she believes she’s in the best place to push her case for selection in the Football Ferns squad for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
“Re-signing with the Phoenix is a huge step in the right direction for that goal.
“Knowing that I’m in an environment that is so supportive, I’m training at an amazing facility and all the staff are going to do what they can to help me makes a huge difference.”
Wall will wear the no. 3 shirt for the Wellington Phoenix who kick-off their season with a grand final rematch against Melbourne City at Hnry Stadium on Sunday.
