Michaela Robertson has joined Wellington Phoenix for the 2022-23 Liberty A-League season and her signing is set to represent history.
Robertson is poised to become the first Wellingtonian and first Phoenix academy product to play for the women’s team, having spent the past two years with the academy’s emerging women’s program.
The 26-year-old winger was the first women’s player to join the Phoenix academy on a full-time basis.
“Wellington’s home for me so I’m excited about playing in front of my family and friends where my football started,” Robertson said, with the Phoenix due to open their season against Melbourne City on November 20.
“I’m really looking forward to my first pro season. Everything seemed to line up and there’s something about stepping into a role when it feels the timing is right.”
Robertson added: “Training with the boys has been challenging. Obviously, they bring another level of physicality and pace which is something I tried to match and give them a good run for their money.
“But I think it’s helped me develop my game, with the quick-thinking and decision-making that’s required on the field.
“Also not being the tallest player I’ve needed to be strong and be able to hold the ball up and compete at that physical element of the game.
“It’s been something that I’ve had to develop over the years, but I think that’s been beneficial being at the academy surrounded by guys that are a lot stronger and a lot taller and bigger than me.”
Robertson is hoping to open the door for more players.
“I’m hoping to be able to inspire some of those girls coming through,” she said.
“There’s heaps of talent and I wouldn’t be surprised to see some of those names in the squad in the years to come.”
Robertson is the Phoenix’s 15th signing for the 2022-23 A-League Women season, Betsy Hassett, Paige Satchell, Marisa van der Meer, Lily Alfeld, Kate Taylor, Mackenzie Barry, Alyssa Whinham, Chloe Knott, Ava Pritchard, Grace Wisnewski, Isabel Gomez, Zoe McMeeken, Saskia Vosper and Brianna Edwards.
“What’s really cool about Mickey is she’s got a lot of different experiences,” said head coach Natalie Lawrence.
“She’s been involved with the Ferns, she went to the Olympics, she’s been in FFDP (Football Ferns Domestic Programme) and she’s a product of the Phoenix academy.
“She’s done the hard yards and really stuck at it. Playing with and against boys every single week is tough, but she’s done it because of the level of football she wants to play at.”
