The Wellington Phoenix have lured one of New Zealand’s leading coaches back home to lead the country’s largest private-run academy.
Emma Humphries has left her position as the U-17 women’s national team head coach and national development centre director for Canada to be appointed the Phoenix Academy director.
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The former Football Fern replaces Lee Padmore, who resigned from the role last month to spend more time with his family in Christchurch.
Humphries has been away from New Zealand for 10 years, during which time she coached Canada at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in 2022 and was the assistant coach at Liverpool FC in the English Women’s Super League for two seasons.
She was also the director of women’s football development at Vancouver Whitecaps FC after being a head coach and centre director during her first stint at Vancouver.
Phoenix director of football Shaun Gill is thrilled Humphries is joining the club.
“Emma is one of New Zealand’s leading coaches and has a passion for youth development, which makes her ideally suited for the academy director role,” Gilll said.
“It’s fantastic we’ve been able to bring her home to Wellington to help develop the next generation of Phoenix footballers.
“We’re proud of the incredible work all of the staff do at Fraser Park and we all take great delight in seeing players graduate into the professional ranks.
“I look forward to Emma taking the academy to whole new level in 2025 and beyond.”
Humphries said she “can’t wait” to come home and get started as academy director.
“It’s pretty special to come back and play a role in showing the next generation the pathway that exists at the Phoenix and helping them reach their full potential,” Humphries said.
“I love the art of making youth players realise what they can be, with a clear view of what it takes to make it at a senior professional level.
“I’ve played parts in both, but I think there’s something really special about being able to help youth players reach their full potential.
“With a clear identity, alignment and super passionate people I think we can continue to evolve the great work the staff here at the Phoenix have done.”
Humphries’ passion for youth development came from her first head coaching job at the Whitecaps youth academy.
“I took a group of players for five years from 12 years old to 17 and three of them went on to win a gold medal with the senior national team.
“I learnt so much from being on the pitch every day with that group.
“Seeing Jordyn Huitema, Julia Grosso and Jayde Riviere realise their potential at the highest level makes you passionate about wanting to do it more.
“And coming back the second time to the Whitecaps I’ve had an opportunity to help others to do the same thing that I did on the field and help educate others with my learnings and make more people better.”
Humphries is moving back home to Wellington with her family, including six-year-old son Jack.
“I had such a happy childhood in New Zealand and I never thought everything would align that I would get to come back and do this and Jack would get to grow up in New Zealand, like I did.
“It’s such an amazing opportunity to be able to see him grow up here.”
Humphries will officially start the new role when the Phoenix Academy reassembles in the New Year.