The Wellington Phoenix have completed their goalkeeping unit for the 2024-25 Ninja A-League season by signing Brooke Neary to a youth development agreement.
Neary, 17, has joined Portuguese ‘keeper Carolina Vilão and fellow New Zealand age-group international Aimee Danieli in the Phoenix first team environment.
Danieli, who was on a youth development agreement last season, has been upgraded to a full contract with the Nix having initially signed a scholarship deal with the club in August.
Neary joined the Phoenix academy at the start of last year from Wainuiomata AFC and was a regular in goal for the reserves this season, which included their run to the Kate Sheppard Cup semi-final.
She is surprised she’s been elevated to the first team so quickly.
“I was a bit shocked because I thought I’d just be training with the team and improving myself”, Neary said.
“But I had a chat with Temps (head coach Paul Temple), which brought a bit of light.
“My family are absolutely stoked after the amount of hours they’ve put into this.
“They’re so happy it’s come about, and they can’t wait for the future.”
The New Zealand U-17 international has only been a goalkeeper for the past two seasons, which makes her elevation even more impressive.
“I definitely was against the idea of changing positions when it first got brought up, but my dad helped me get into it.
“It’s been about 20 months now and has been an awesome opportunity.
“I’m so grateful for the academy coaches, and being there four days a week definitely helped me improve a lot.
“With the academy playstyle, they like the keepers using their feet. Previously being an outfield player has helped me a lot, being able to play with my feet and stepping into the backline.”
The transition to the first team has been easy too, thanks to an “amazing” environment.
“The girls have been extremely welcoming up here, and it’s been such a positive and helpful environment to learn in.
“The whole time, they’ve offered me everything. If I needed help with gym, anything on or off field, everything they give is awesome.”
Last month Neary travelled to the Dominican Republic with the New Zealand squad for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, and she was in goal for two of their three group matches.
“That was the experience of a lifetime. Any opportunity to get to play for your country is a massive one.
“The environment we were in was so competitive. Everyone was pushing each other to the max.
“The analysis and everything that goes on behind the scenes, you don’t realise until you’re actually in the moment.
“I was grateful to start two games and for the two other ‘keepers we had who helped push me to be my best.”
Brooke Neary will wear the no. 13 shirt for the Wellington Phoenix and is the 22nd player confirmed in the women’s squad for the 2024-25 season.
