The opening round of the 2019 National Women’s League is finally upon us and Natalie Lawrence is excited to release her bright squad.

With eight returning from the 2018 squad, Lawrence has a core group building a foundation allowing an exciting group of new commers to excel and push the boundaries.  With new commers including both Lawrence herself and Assistant Coach Maia Vink, 2019 brings in a new era to the Capital.

“We’ve got an exciting group, it’s full of a lot of characters, a lot of fun and a lot of players that are ready to work hard and live by what capital means so it’s an exciting time to be a part of the group.” Vink stated at the confirmation of their squad."

“We are very lucky to have a very experienced core and very proud Wellingtonians, namely our captain Katie Barrott, who has been a steady presence throughout the last few campaigns.”

“We’ve got the likes of Sarah Alder and Fran Grange who have been a part of the group for a very long time as well as Michaela Robertson who again is just such a dynamic player to have in the team and in the group."

Lawrence and Vink will be looking towards these players to develop and grow the foundations of the groups culture, giving them plenty of opportunity to express themselves on the field.

“We are really excited to take them and their strengths as leaders and use these skills to help grow the players around them, looking to really create a strong culture within the group where anyone and everyone can step up in different moments.”

 “The young players are really stepping up and they have been flying so it’s great to have that energy as well.”

Along with the core group of experienced players, Lawrence and Vink were excited to announce the return of Emma Rolston.  With 19 National Women’s League goals for Capital under her belt the 6-year hiatus has been through an international stint in Australia, Germany and for the Northern Lights.

“Rollo has been a great presence to have back in the group after coming back from an international experience and obviously with the Ferns. The experience she brings from international football as well as time spent in the Football Ferns environment will be invaluable for the 2019 campaign."

Lawrence and Vink will head to Christchurch with the squad for the first round match up with defending champions the Canterbury Pride.

Assistant Coach Maia Vink, who has managed the group as Natalie has been away with the New Zealand U20’s, will return to Christchurch to face the team she last played for in 2013. Having won the league with the Pride, the first up fixture will provide a great grudge match and homecoming having not set foot on English Park in five years.

After heading home from Canada where she was a part of the Vancouver Whitecaps Girls programme as a director, Vink is already making the most of her time back here in New Zealand.

“It’s been a real joy to be back, there’s something about the kiwi nature and kiwi players and kiwi people, that they just intrinsically have this desire and drive to be the best people they can be on and off the field and I have really appreciated coming back into that.”

“People sometimes underestimate the level of women’s football in New Zealand, compared to worldwide, we are not that far behind and I think with the NWL, as a country this size we do some fantastic things in this space, we grow the young people we give them opportunities to play senior football and learn form senior footballers and I think that is something really powerful.”

“So, personally it’s a really great place to be in and I’ve really loved coming back into the environment albeit for a different region and different team, but really enjoying being back and this weekend is going to be a unique one watching on from the opposite bench.”

Kick off for the opening round fixture for Capital Football and the Pride is set for 1pm at English Park in Christchurch.

Capital Football National Women’s League Squad

Article added: Friday 13 September 2019