WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Bev Priestman, the former Canada coach who served a one-year ban for a drone spying scandal at the Paris Olympics, has been appointed head coach of the Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand’s sole professional women’s soccer team.
Priestman signed a two-year contract with the A-League Women club shortly after completing her suspension from all soccer-related activities. The ban was issued by FIFA following an investigation that found she and her staff had used a drone to monitor a closed training session of the New Zealand national team ahead of their Olympic match. The incident led to her dismissal by Canada Soccer.
The appointment brings Priestman to the country her team spied on and reunites her professionally with her wife, former New Zealand international Emma Humphries, who was hired as the Phoenix’s academy director in December.
Despite the controversy, club officials cited Priestman’s decorated coaching record, which includes guiding Canada to a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics. Her extensive experience also includes coaching at four Women’s World Cups and three FIFA youth World Cups.
“We’re really pleased to be able to welcome Bev back to football,” Phoenix chairman Rob Morrison said. “We understand the circumstances of her time away from the game, and we’re really comfortable with this appointment.”
Priestman has previously worked in New Zealand, serving in coaching development in Wellington and later as New Zealand Football’s development director.
In a statement, she thanked the club for the opportunity. “I want to bring some special moments to not only this city, but this country,” Priestman said. “Phoenix is a fantastic club with big ambitions, world-class facilities and a phenomenal fan base. There’ll be a hunger and a desire there because we know we want to achieve a first for this club.”
The move was also endorsed by the league. Stephen Conroy, chairman of Australian Professional Leagues, called her signing a “fantastic endorsement” for the competition. “Bev is a world-renowned national team head coach and Olympic champion,” Conroy stated. “Her experience and expertise will be a huge boost for the up-and-coming squad at the Phoenix.”
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