‘What happened in Paris, and the media runaway stories that necessarily aren’t accurate. You just become very isolated in a job where it is about being part of a team.’ Bev Priestman has rediscovered her place in the game with Wellington Phoenix.
Bev Priestman, head coach of Wellington Phoenix, opens up about the fallout from the Olympic spying scandal and guiding her team to their first A-League Women’s finals campaign.
Football rarely allows time off for personal milestones, especially when preparing for a historic playoff push. But for Priestman, celebrating her 40th birthday last week served as a stark contrast to the isolation she endured a year ago, during a one-year FIFA ban following the spying controversy that rocked Canada’s women’s team at the Paris Olympics.
“It was my 40th birthday,” Priestman says. “And it’s moments like that where I think back to a year ago, and how I felt. Then I compare it to this year in the club, around my staff and the team. I do this job because I love people. Obviously I love the game, but it’s about working with people, drawing energy from them, and trying to inspire them to become a better version of themselves.”
“What happened in Paris, and the subsequent media stories that aren’t necessarily accurate, made you feel very isolated—especially in a job that’s built on being part of a team. That isolation hits hard, particularly when it plays out publicly. The greatest joy I’ve had this year is simply getting back on the pitch, working with people who want to improve. I’ve loved every moment.”
Wellington, far from the global spotlight, provided the perfect setting for a fresh start. As the only professional women’s football team in New Zealand, the Phoenix compete in Australia’s top tier. They were introduced ahead of the 2023 Women’s World Cup, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, but had never reached the playoffs in four campaigns prior to 2025-26. Their best finish was eighth in 2023-24, and they were often seen as lovable underdogs—rarely threatening the established order.
‘The biggest joy I’ve had this year is again, getting back on the pitch, working with people who want to be better.’ Bev Priestman addresses her Wellington Phoenix players during a training session.
This season, however, Priestman built on that foundation to create perhaps the A-League’s most efficient side: the league’s top-scoring attack and stingiest defense, while leading in many underlying metrics. Under her guidance, players like Brooke Nunn and Grace Jale enjoyed breakout campaigns, and 17-year-old Pia Vlok emerged as a future star. While it wasn’t enough to break Melbourne City’s dominance, it secured a second-place finish and a week off in the playoffs.
