Wellington Phoenix

Wellington Phoenix FC is a New Zealand professional association football (soccer) club based in Wellington. It competes in the Australian A-League, under license from Football Federation Australia. Phoenix entered the competition in the 2007–08 season after its formation in March 2007, by New Zealand Football to replace New Zealand Knights as a New Zealand-based club in the Australian A-League competition. The club is one of only a few to compete in a league of a different confederation (AFC) from that of the country where it is based (OFC). Ernie Merrick is the head coach following the resignation of founding coach Ricki Herbert late in the 2012–13 season. Andrew Durante has been the club captain since the 2008-09 season succeeding from the inaugural captain, Ross Aloisi. The club's highest achievement is reaching the A-League Preliminary Final in 2010. The club plays matches at Wellington Regional Stadium, a 34,500-seat multi-use venue in Wellington.