805 days ago

PHOENIX NOW HAS CLAWS

Michael from Trentham

Both men's and women's senior Phoenix professional football teams from Wellington whose training base is at the Heretaunga sports institute, won their matches today at Auckland's Mt Smart. And both defeated teams at or near the top of their A-League competitions prior to today.

This would have been unheard of in the last two seasons when our women's team was formed and the men had been struggling prior to that of the 2022-23 season.

It is as if the imminent formation of Auckland-based teams to rival the Phoenix club as NZ's representatives in the Australian leagues, is a spur to go so much better this season than ever before. I think the women Phoenix had not won as many games in the league in both past seasons combined as this season which is only in its sixth round.
Meanwhile Phoenix men have never done as well as early as in this season's comp since it was formed 15 years or so ago.

No longer are these teams regarded as walk-overs and they have gained the respect of the Australians including their referees who largely though not completely now treat Phoenix evenhandedly.

The coaching has a lot to do with the new found success of both Phoenix teams - as well as the world class facilities in Upper Hutt. Something by the way that the Auckland Black Knights football teams will lack.

I was at the Tuki Cafe at the sports institute last Friday and this little gem of a cafe is just another reason for the plaudits given to this amenity.

Funny enough, a few weeks ago I had a brief conversation with former economist whizz Gareth Morgan. One of the owners of the Phoenix club, Morgan has some excellent ideas about cats in restricting their opportunities to kill birds. Morgan also wanted Phoenix to loosen its defensive shackles and play an entertaining, attacking style all those years ago. Happy to say that Morgan's ambitions for Phoenix and its supporters came to fruition and these days they play crowd pleasing, goal scoring football.

More messages from your neighbours

Local Highlight

23 days ago

Poll: Are you as excited as we are for Te Matapihi’s grand reopening?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Wellington’s Te Awe Library on Brandon St will be closing its doors for good at 5 pm on March 1. It’s been the city’s largest temporary library, and now it’s making way for the exciting return of Te Matapihi Central Library!

We want to know: Are you as excited as we are for Te Matapihi’s grand reopening?

Want all the details? The Post has everything you need to know.

Are you as excited as we are for Te Matapihi’s grand reopening?

46.9% Yes

46.9% Complete
53.1% No

53.1% Complete

286 votes

1 day ago

THE WAIKANAE BEACH MONTHLY COMMUNITY MARKET IS ON TOMORROW

Gary from Waikanae

WHERE:- Waikanae Beach Community Hall,
22 Rauparaha Street, Waikanae Beach,

WHEN:- Sunday 8 February 10am-1pm

Enjoy a Sunday outing with your family and friends by visiting this great friendly community market where you will discover handmade treasures and local creativity by highly talented stallholders where every piece tells a story.

FOR THE KIDS:-
Bring the kids along so they can meet jane with her quality handmade crochet toys, along with Helen and her huge range of awesome handmade children's dress ups and dolls clothes etc and Viv a local author of Children's Books and an accomplished creator of Pet Portraits.

NEW STALLHOLDERS:-
Viv Walker who writes and illustrates children's books, creates art prints and offers portrait commissions for people and pets will be joining us along with Nicky with her Fresh Flowers.

DISCOVER UNIQUE AND QUALITY ITEMS:-
With Valentines Day fast approaching do your gift shopping at the market where you'll find a huge variety of high-quality, reasonably priced ideas.

MEET UP WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY:-
Meet up with a friend or 2 and enjoy a Sunday outing at this great Community event.

Don't miss it... support local!