Issuu

message OF WELCOME from General Manager David Dome Tonight is a bittersweet night for the Wellington Phoenix, as we take on the visiting Melbourne Victory at Sky Stadium in our third-to-last match at home this season. On one hand, we’re eager as a club to extend our winning streak to four matches with a win over the Victory, as we move ever closer to the finals football with your Phoenix playing some of the best football in the history of this football club. And at the same time, we recognise that our match falls on the one year anniversary of the Christchurch tragedy of March 15 2019 where 51 people lost their lives in an event that deeply affected us all as New Zealanders. As the only professional sporting team to play on this night, we choose to pay tribute: to acknowledge and remember the lives that were tragically lost day and to recognise that as the world’s game we have the opportunity to reach out to our Muslim brothers and sisters and stand with them at this time of remembrance. We have named this Round of football ‘Kia tau te Rangimarie’, which is Maori for ‘Let there be Peace’. Our aim is to show our solidarity as a community and to focus on New Zealanders coming together following the devastating event - regardless of religion, ethnicity or circumstances. PHOTOGRAPHY: DESIGN / LAYOUT: Printing: TBD Design

You’ll see tonight we have dressed 51 seats at Sky Stadium in black and named each of the 51 people who died as our own small tribute. We invite you as fans to stand together with both teams, invited members of New Zealand’s Muslim community and our own dignitaries to observe a moment’s silence prior to kick-off. While it’s a small gesture in the scheme of things, it is important for us as a club that these people are acknowledged, not for what happened to them but to celebrate the lives they led for the family and friends they left behind. While it’s a small gesture in the scheme of things, it is important for us as a club that we do not forget the tragedy of 15 March 2019 and that we continue to celebrate and remember the lives of those that lost theirs. So we dedicate tonight’s match to the memory of those 51. And we continue on our journey of targeting finals football in season 19/20 and bringing as much football joy to you the fans as we can.

David Dome General Manager, Wellington Phoenix

www.tbddesign.co.nz, Cameron MacIntosh from Photomac, Getty Images www.westondesign.co.nz, www.tbddesign.co.nz

COPYRIGHT: Reproduction in whole or in part by any means is prohibited. DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Although all material is checked for accuracy, no liability is assumed by the publisher for any loss due to use of material in this magazine. All details are correct at time of print.

CATCH THE â€˜NIX HOME AND AWAY Grab a Sky Sport NOW Pass to watch the Phoenix home and away this season. Sky Sport Now not only lets you follow the Phoenix but also gives you access to other great football with the A-League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, Serie A, Bundesliga and Ligue 1. You will also be able to watch all the other great sport across 10 SKY Sport and 2 ESPN channels.

Go to skysportnow.co.nz for details

WELLINGTON PHOENIX OFFICIAL APPAREL PARTNER

FOR ALL YOUR CLUB & SCHOOL TEAMWEAR PLEASE CONTACT: LIAM ROBINSON E | LIAM@PALADINSPORTS.COM M | 0275 486 464

MATT HAMILTON E | MATTH@PALADINSPORTS.COM M | 0273 101 429

Kia tau te rangimarie 'Let there be peace '

At tonight’s match versus the Melbourne Victory, the Wellington Phoenix will pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the Mosque shooting in Christchurch. At the 51 minute mark of tonight’s match, we ask that everyone at Sky Stadium pays their respects to the 51 lives lost, by coming together to sing Tūtira mai.

Tūtira mai Tūtira mai ngā iwi Tātou tātou e Tūtira mai ngā iwi Tātou tātou e Whai-a te marama-tanga me te aroha - e ngā iwi! Ki-a ko tapa-tahi, Ki-a kotahi rā Tātou tātou e. < Sing it all a second time. Then finish with...> Tā - tou, tā - tou E!! Hi aue hei !!! 5

WELLINGTON PHOENIX FC

Hyundai A-League 2019/20 Squad

#1 stefan marinovic

goal k eeper

#5 matti steinmann

david ball

liberato cacace D E FE N DE R

tim payne

#10

ulises dĂ vila

ALEX rufer MIDF IEL DER

Atawhai #4 Te Hudson-Wihongi

reno piscopo

D EFEND ER

cameron devlin

MIDF IE LD ER

MID FIELD ER

#11 jaushua sotirio

#12 Brandon Wilson

F O RWAR D

midfielder

F O RWA RD

#14

luke devere DEF END ER

MIDF IEL DER

FO R WA R D

#13

DEF EN DER

M ID F I EL DE R

liam mcging

#16

louis fenton DEF END ER

#17

callan elliot D EFEND ER

WELLINGTON PHOENIX FC

Hyundai A-League 2019/20 Squad

#20

oliver sail

#21 callum mccowatt

goal k eeper

F O RWA RD

#30

zac Jones

G OAL K EEP ER

#31

ben waine

#23

walter scott

#27

DEF END ER

#32

F O RWA RD

SAM SUTTON

steven taylor D EFEND ER

#88

Gary Hooper

MIDF IE LD ER

FOR WAR D

Ola TOIVONEN

Forward

Giancarlo GALLIFUOCO

Midfielder

Josh HOPE

Midfielder

Elvis KAMSOBA

Midfielder

Migjen BASHA

Midfielder

Ben CARRIGAN

Defender

Matt ACTON

Goalkeeper

Lawrence THOMAS

Goalkeeper

Storm ROUX

Defender

Adama TRAORE

Defender

James DONACHIE

Defender

Marco ROJAS

Forward

Tim HOOGLAND

Defender

Anthony LESIOTIS

Midfielder

Leigh BROXHAM

Midfielder

Brandon LAUTON

Midfielder

Jay BARNETT

Midfielder

Kenny ATHIU

Forward

Jakob POULSEN

Midfielder

Matthew SUTTON

Goalkeeper

Andrew NABBOUT

Forward

So NISHIKAWA

Defender

Robbie KRUSE

Forward

Luis LAWRIE-LATTANZIO

Forward

alex rufer: Embracing The Challenge Alex Rufer isn’t one to take his position as a professional footballer for granted. And as the second-longest tenured player currently with the Wellington Phoenix, Rufer now finds himself one of the senior figures at the club. This season has also seen him make his 50th Hyundai A-League appearance for his career, as well as extending his contract for another three years – ensuring he remains part of the Phoenix until the end of 2022-23. On the back of a breakout campaign for the Phoenix last season, Rufer was also handed the vice-captaincy for the first time - something that the 23-year-old midfielder says he takes very seriously. “It’s always good to try and help the young ones, because I was in their shoes a few years ago and I just try help as much as possible.”

Born in Switzerland, Rufer moved with his family back to New Zealand. The son of former international Shane Rufer and nephew of Oceania player of the century, Wynton Rufer, Rufer says that being born into a football family has provided him with no shortage of motivation. “I see it as a big positive, because they both had amazing careers and they have both helped me a lot and they can continue to help me a lot.” Rufer attended Palmerston North Boys High School, starting his football career with YoungHeart Manawatu. In 2013, Rufer joined the Wairarapa United team, and also played for Central League champions Western Suburbs that same year before signing a deal with the Phoenix. After finishing up with the NZ U-17 team at the 2013 World Cup he moved to Wellington, making his Phoenix debut as a

17-year-old in February 2014 in an away win against Newcastle Jets. On 7 September 2015, Rufer made his international debut for the All Whites, playing in a friendly against Myanmar. He would late receive a call up to the FIFA Confederations Cup 2017 side which played in Russia. Rufer’s 2017/18 season saw him competing for playing time against a stacked Phoenix midfield, including Vince Lia and Michael McGlinchey. It was at times frustrating for Rufer, but he acknowledges he came out better as a result. “Being on the bench prepared me well, as it showed me just how tough it was, and is, to get into the first team and it made me mentally strong as a result.” The following season, new Phoenix coach Mark Rudan gave Rufer more opportunities to play, and Rufer rewarded him with an outstanding individual season. Cue to this season, and in the face of major player turnover and a change of coach in

Ufuk Talay, Rufer has taken it upon himself to help keep the spirit of last season’s campaign going. In turn, Talay has been effusive in his praise of Rufer, as evidenced by naming him the club’s vice-captain. “Rufer is a talented player who has captaincy and leadership qualities; he had a great season last year and this season he’s been very good and influential for us, and he’s still a young player.” This season, Rufer has formed part of a deep midfield for the Phoenix, alongside newcomers Cameron Devlin, Matti Steinmann and Reno Piscopo. Rufer says that the inter-squad competition is healthy and he loves a challenge. “I think that’s what we’ve bred here at the Phoenix - all the boys want to play and if it means they have to fight for it then so be it. “I’ve fought for my whole career since I’ve come from the start, so nothing changes. I’ll keep training hard and working hard.”

Wellington Phoenix FCâ€™s new signing...

Think of us as the Lionel Messi of cloud and IT services Proud new sponsor of Wellington Phoenix Football Club

A UNIQUE ACCOMMODATION AND CONFERENCE FACILITY SUITABLE FOR GROUPS

www.nzcis.co.nz

PROUD SPONSORS OF THE PHOENIX - PHOENIX LAGER 4.2% -

PROUD PARTNER OF WELLINGTON PHOENIX FC

APPLY NOW to study in 2020 Learn more at wgtn.ac.nz/apply

Understand what’s possible. KPMG Enterprise helps Kiwi businesses recognise and achieve their potential. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, family business, or fast growing company – we work alongside you to drive success at every stage of your business lifecycle. Contact us to find out what’s possible for your business. (04) 816 4500 kpmg.com/nz/enterprise

© 2019 KPMG, a New Zealand partnership and a member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. All rights reserved.