It hasn’t taken Roly Bonevacia long to earn the respect of his Wellington Phoenix colleagues.
It hasn’t taken Roly Bonevacia long to earn the respect of his Wellington Phoenix colleagues, and he in turn is thoroughly enjoying himself in New Zealand’s capital city.
The 22-year-old Dutch midfielder, who spent almost 10 years at the famed Ajax Academy and three years playing in the top level Eredivisie competition, has fitted seamlessly into the Phoenix set up.
Showing silky skills and the determination of a winner during training sessions, Bonevacia is an easy-going, smiling individual off the field.
“I’m really enjoying the training and the players have been really welcoming,” Bonevacia said.
“That hasn’t surprised me because when the coach and captain spoke to me before I had signed for the club they made me feel wanted.”
While he is enjoying training, despite a couple of cold, windswept, damp mornings at Newtown Park recently, Bonevacia can’t wait for the Hyundai A-League season to start.
On Friday the Phoenix fly out for a week in New South Wales where they will play fellow A-League clubs Newcastle Jets and Sydney FC as well as NSW State League side Sydney United.
“I am looking forward to playing against the A-League teams so I can get an idea of the standard,” Bonevacia says.
“I did some research on the A-League before coming to Wellington but it isn’t the same as being on the pitch against them.
“The way the coach has us playing in training I can’t wait for the season to start.
“There are some really good players here and if we all play to our potential we should have a very good season.”
Off the field Bonevacia his wife Milou and daughter Ivy-Mae have settled easily into life in Wellington and all the midfielder wants now is success on the field.
