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Phoenix XI – Fan Representative Group


Ethan Fransen

Ethan is a diehard Phoenix fan and has a growing collection of Nix shirts, having spent a small fortune to buy three of the team’s charity kits in 2022. 

“The Nix has provided me with some awesome memories; from seeing David Williams’ hat-trick live to gathering friends in the lounge to watch the Phoenix in Wollongong.” 

Ethan lives in Lower Hutt and competes in ballroom and Latin dancing in his free time outside of playing social football. 


Holly Eades

Holly is a co-founder of The Little Corner of Yellow, a New South Wales-based fan group which came to life at the start of the 2021-22 A-League, when a commentator gave them their moniker. 

She lives in Sydney and is also a co-host of the Flight of the Nix podcast. 

Holly is “particularly passionate about the experience of being an away fan as well as supporting the women’s team”. 


John Palethorpe

Some of John’s “most cherished” sporting moments have been in the Fever Zone at Sky Stadium, having followed the Nix since arriving in Aotearoa in 2014. 

Originally from the UK, John is a teacher, communications professional and writer who is now based in Oamaru.  

He started Rainbow Fever, the LGBTQI group, in 2018, but has since handed it over to more locally based supporters following his move from Auckland to North Otago. 


Kaitlyn Gunn

Kaitlyn has been a Phoenix fan since moving from Auckland to Wellington and “for the past two years has attended nearly every single home game”. 

She is a teacher and “now preach to my class about my passion for the Phoenix”. 

“In my position within the classroom I am also a strong advocate for the comradeship and strength that sport can bring to both the young and the old.”


Oska Rego

Oska fell in love with the Nix as a 12-year-old ball boy for the club’s first two home pre-season matches in 2007, and was soon a regular in the Fever Zone.  

He recently moved from Wellington to Melbourne, where he supports the Phoenix from afar (and works as a lawyer).  

Oska gets to games in Australia and back in Aotearoa whenever he can, to sing and shout for the team, and reconnect with fellow Feverites.  

Oska is keen to represent the club’s active support on the Fan Representative Group, and help improve the appeal and accessibility of the Phoenix and the A-Leagues, so more people can find joy and community in football like he has. 



Steff Clarke

Steff is a proud foundation Phoenix member and was one of the very first Yellow Fever members. His two daughters have also been occasional attendees and season ticket holders. 

He is originally from the UK but has lived in Wellington since 2005 and has been following the Nix since the team’s first friendly game in 2007. 

Steff is “not aligned with any fan group, despite sitting in the YF zone, and just wants to represent the ordinary fan”. 


Susan Baikie

Susan is a programme coordinator at the University of Otago medical school, but football runs through the veins of her family. 

She is the coordinator for eighth grade football at Waterside Karori in Wellington, while her husband is a team manager for three of the club’s teams. 

Susan believes being part of the Phoenix XI will allow her “to make a meaningful contribution to a sport that has brought immense joy and camaraderie to our family over the years”.