Wellington Phoenix players and staff have spent a combined total of 1096 hours in the community this season, engaging with fans and spreading joy through football.
Phoenix players were actively involved in community visits throughout the season, including schools, football clubs, and charities.
The team visited 30 schools throughout the Wellington Region, talking to kids about their experiences as professional footballers and participating in football games and activities with the children.
Phoenix players prepared a meal for the families at Ronald McDonald House on two occasions this season, and also visited children in Wellington Hospital several times.
Some team members attended club end of season prizegivings and local football tournaments, and the Phoenix also gave 30 clubs the opportunity to be involved in our matchday roles.
The Phoenix expanded on the successful Bus to the Nix programme in 2018/19, which enabled kids from low socioeconomic areas to access Wellington Phoenix home games for free.
This season’s Bus to the Nix programme provided transport and match tickets for 2500 children and families from low socioeconomic communities. This included 520 people from the refugee community and low decile schools in Auckland.
Wellington Phoenix provided all participants with a healthy meal at the stadium, and a branded backpack and drink bottle as part of the programme.
For many people who experienced the Bus to the Nix programme, this was their first time going to an event at Westpac Stadium. Hennessy Renata from Randwick school commented, “I haven’t been to a football game in my life except for one week ago – that was a great first time!”
A special thanks to all of the City Councils in the Wellington Region for collaborating with the club on this initiative.
Wellington Phoenix also ran several coaching clinics for children from low decile schools in Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt, and Porirua. These clinics were free for children aged 7-12 who are passionate about football and leading a healthy lifestyle but don’t have the means or access to training beyond their school curriculum.
Wellington Phoenix received an overwhelmingly positive response to these clinics from children and families, who expressed their gratitude at this fantastic opportunity.
Wellington Phoenix recognises the importance of giving back to the community and would like to thank all of our fans for the support this season.
