The Wellington Phoenix & Capital Football have announced that the final of the Kelly Cup Competition will be played as a curtain-raiser at Sky Stadium, for their match versus Adelaide United on Sunday 5 April.

The historic Kelly Cup is the oldest Women’s football trophy in New Zealand, started in 1973 when Val & Terry Nutter from the then Newlands Club presented the cup for a knockout competition and named it after Pat Kelly, the first president of the Wellington Women’s Football Association. 

The Kelly Cup Final coincides with the Wellington Phoenix’s Female Football Round which celebrates women in football. The Wellington Phoenix and Capital Football continue to drive participation in football within the community and the Female Football Round aims to encourage and celebrate female participation.

Wellington Phoenix General Manager, David Dome, says that the Female Football Round provides a platform for discussion on how the sport can continue driving the participation of women in football at all levels.

“Female football in New Zealand is growing and the Wellington Phoenix are committed to supporting this growth and recognising the immense value that it brings to the community across cultures, ages and economic classes.

“We’re really pleased to be able to host the Kelly Cup final and to be able to offer up Sky Stadium as a venue for the prestigious trophy”

Blair Duncan, Capital Football’s Operations Manager, shared Dome’s enthusiasm at the prospect of such a positive platform for the female game.

“The opportunity to have the Kelly Cup final played at Sky Stadium as a curtain raiser for the Phoenix is fantastic and exciting for everyone involved.

Female football and the growth of the game is and has been a key strategic focus for Capital Football over the past years, so to partner with the Phoenix and give the game this kind of platform is immense.”

More information regarding the Wellington Phoenix’s Female Football Round will follow at a later date.

Article added: Tuesday 10 March 2020