Bev Priestman: You become very isolated so I've loved getting back on the pitch'

"I do this job because I love people. I love the game, obviously, but it's working with people, getting your energy with people, and trying to inspire people and help them find a better version of themselves. What happened in Paris, and off the back of that, and the media runaway stories that you know necessarily aren't accurate. You just become very isolated, very, very quickly in a job where it is about being part of a team."

"The biggest joy I've had the most this year is just again, getting back on the pitch, working with people who want to be better. I've loved that. Now, if one were looking for somewhere to make a fresh start, somewhere well off the beaten track away from the spotlight, then Wellington would be right up there."

Bev Priestman, now 40, celebrates her birthday while preparing Wellington Phoenix for their inaugural A-League Women's finals campaign. This marks a significant contrast to the previous year when she served a FIFA ban following the spying scandal involving Canada's women's football team at the Paris Olympics. The isolation and public scrutiny during that period deeply affected her, as the scandal unfolded in the media spotlight while she was separated from her team. Priestman emphasizes that her passion for football stems from working with people and helping them improve. Wellington, located remotely in New Zealand and home to the country's only professional women's football team, provides an ideal fresh start away from the spotlight. She expresses joy in returning to pitch work with motivated players.

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