Phoenix women's head coach Gemma Lewis says the addition of experienced Stingrays defender Talitha Kramer will provide a spark for her young squad as they kick off their inaugural season in Wollongong.
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Wellington announced on Thursday that the 30-year-old had joined the club ahead of the 2021/22 A-League Women's campaign.
The Phoenix will remain in Wollongong for the foreseeable future due to travel restrictions between Australia and New Zealand. Kramer is the only Illawarra local in the 20-woman squad.
Kramer - who has been a stalwart for the Stingrays over the past decade and played 21 W-League games for the Wanderers - is the eldest player in the team, which has an average age of 20.
She trained with her new teammates on Thursday, but has been ruled out of their opening game against her old side Western Sydney in Wollongong on Friday.
"I haven't even had a chance to pick her brain yet, but I know the girls have asked her a lot of questions. They've been trying to get as much information as they can," Lewis said.
"We're excited about having her. Tilly knows the area so it's been really good to have her involved. In terms of what she brings to the team, her experience in the game and in W-League experience in previous seasons is invaluable. She's more of a mature head and has more life experience, which creates better balance in our team."
For Kramer, the opportunity allows her to be part of women's football history in her own backyard.
"It's great being a local player and I've played in the W-League previously so I'm hoping to help the girls in any way I can," she said.
"I know for a lot of the girls this is the first professional competition they've played in so I'll help guide them along. I know a lot of the players in the league because I've played with them before.
"I know how teams are structured and their style of play so I'm hoping I can help in that way with insight into the other (A-League Women's) teams."
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Joshua Bartlett
A sporting fanatic who is keen to promote all codes in the Illawarra and abroad. Mercury's chief football reporter.
A sporting fanatic who is keen to promote all codes in the Illawarra and abroad. Mercury's chief football reporter.
