Mikaela Bangalan

Mikaela Bangalan inked her maiden professional contract with the Wellington Phoenix in October 2026.

The midfielder represented Bucklands Beach during her youth career, where she played with fellow Nix player Pia Vlok.

After moving to Fencibles United, Bangalan became a regular in junior Football Ferns squad and featured at the 2025 U-17 World Cup in Morocco.

She moved to Wellington to join the Nix academy at the beginning of 2026 and made her A-League debut against Brisbane Roar in the semi-final first leg.

> 2025-26 season

Mikaela Bangalan joined the Phoenix academy setup at the start of 2026, and quickly cemented herself as a standout player in the reserves.

She impressed enough to earn a call-up to the first team in May, and was thrown into her debut against Brisbane Roar in the A-League semi-final first leg.

Bangalan was also selected for the U-20 World Cup in Poland, where she was an important player for the junior Ferns.

She signed her first pro contract, a three-year deal, just ahead of the 2026-27 season.

“It’s definitely surreal,” Bangalan said. “Growing up this has always been what I wanted to do.

“It’s a dream come true and I’m just blessed that the people around me have helped me get here.

“My mum, she’s done a lot for me and sacrificed a lot for me, so without her I wouldn’t be here.”