Mackenzie Barry has secured a place in the Football Ferns squad for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Barry, 23, was a rock at the back for the Wellington Phoenix in the 2023-24 Liberty A-League and was named the women’s player of the year and players’ player of the year at the club’s awards night in April.
She has become a regular in the national set-up since being overlooked for last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup and now boasts 16 senior caps.
Phoenix skipper Annalie Longo and vice-captain Michaela Foster, who were both part of the 23-strong World Cup squad, have narrowly missed out on a place in the final 18 for the Games. They have instead been named as travelling reserves.
Macey Fraser and Kate Taylor, who have left the club after being an integral part of the 2023-24 women’s team, have also been named in the Ferns squad for the Olympics, as have former Nix players Grace Jale and Milly Clegg.
“I’d like to congratulate all of the players on their selection in the Olympic squad,” Phoenix director of football Shaun Gill said.
“I’m especially pleased for Mack. She was very unfortunate to miss out on a place in the Football Ferns for last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup, but she’s continued to work hard on her game and fully deserves her call-up to the Games.
“Annalie and Mickey are unlucky not to make the Ferns’ final 18, but they still have an important role to play as travelling reserves and given the size of the squad may still feature in France.
“I look forward to watching them all represent Aotearoa with pride.”
The Football Ferns have been grouped with reigning champions Canada, 2023 World Cup quarter-finals Colombia and hosts France during the Olympic Games, with their opening match against the Canadians on the eve of the opening ceremony (Friday, July 26 NZT).
They will warm-up for the tournament with an international friendly against Zambia on Sunday, July 14 NZT.
