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Live sport on SN this weekendWhy Football Ferns great Abby Erceg is (finally) returning to New Zealand
Sport Nation • August 7th, 2026 3:38 pm
Abby Erceg | Photo: Photosport
Football Ferns great Abby Erceg says the chance to play professionally in New Zealand was unexpected, however it came at the perfect time to give back to the next generation.
After a career spent across some of the world’s strongest leagues, Erceg has returned home and signed with the Wellington Phoenix, with a clear purpose of sharing the experience she has built overseas and help grow the women’s game in New Zealand.
Erceg said increased investment in the women’s game has helped create an opportunity she did not believe would be possible during her career.
She told Sport Nation Mornings: “I never really thought it was going to happen while I was playing. I thought it's kind of going to be something that would happen after I retire.
“The Wellington Phoenix has done a really good job of making sure that they have invested in that, so I'm catching it right at the tail end of my career."
The former Football Ferns captain has played in Australia, Germany, the United States and Mexico, building a career few New Zealand players have been able to experience at the same level.
“I really did want to come back and all the experience that I've accumulated overseas, I wanted to give back to the girls in New Zealand somehow because we just don't get that kind of exposure to those kind of environments unless you're obviously over there playing and we don't many girls over there playing at that level.
“As much as I can I want to bring that experience back and give that to as many of the girls that I can before I do finally retire,” she explained.
Abby Erceg | Photo: Photosport
Erceg admitted the Wellington Phoenix was the obvious fit, with the club's direction and the influence of coach Bev Priestman playing a key role in her decision.
“Wellington was the place for me, I've heard about what they're doing, I've had good things about Bev and how she's coaching and the girls say wonderful things about her as well.
“So that was always going to be the place that I was going to go.
“With the goal of growing the game in New Zealand, at the moment that's kind of where the focus is, so it just made sense for me to be down there.”
Listen to the full interview below:
