Kirsty Yallop, who played for Kristianstad before returning to New Zealand to base herself in Auckland for World Cup preparations, returns to Sweden with the aim of helping Vittsjo win promotion to the country’s top flight, while striker Emma Kete has signed her first professional contract with Lincoln Ladies in the English WSL and Rosie White, who turned 18 last week, joins UCLA.
The contracts of Kete and Yallop last until the end of the current European season while White will embark on a four-year stint as a Bruin, reviewed at the end of each academic year.
Currently in Switzerland, where the Ferns take on Wales, Colombia and Denmark in preparation for their World Cup campaign less than two weeks away, all three were excited to be able to focus their energy on the World Cup.
“It’s great to have something set in stone instead of having to worry about that as well,” Yallop says.
“It means I can just concentrate on doing what I need to do and the team needs to do to do well in Germany.
“There are more opportunities happening in women’s football and the better we do as a team the more will come our way as individuals. It’s great to see Football Ferns playing in different leagues all over the world now.”
New professional Kete hoped to find her scoring touch for Lincoln and extend her stay.
“Turning pro is something that I’ve been working towards for five years and to think I’ll be playing in the women’s equivalent of the English Premier League with tough games week in-week out is really exciting,” Kete says.
“From what I hear Lincoln have been competing really well but not converting chances so hopefully I can contribute in that department.”
Current professionals in the Football Ferns include captain Rebecca Smith (VfL Wolfsburg, Germany), Ali Riley (Western New York Flash, USA) and Hayley Moorwood (Chelsea, England) while Hannah Bromley (Herfoder SV, Germany) did not make the final squad.
Meanwhile, White also harbours hopes of turning professional but for now was happy to pursue a university education while playing football.
“There are ten new recruits this year and the others have all played at U-17 or U-20 level for the USA so it’s going to be a very high standard,” White says.
“I’m going into the unknown a little bit but I’m sure it will be very good for me. Turning professional is a big goal for me. I don’t know where the best place to play will be in four years’ time but I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.”
New Zealand face Japan, England and Mexico in Group B of the FIFA Women’s World Cup beginning on June 27.
Switzerland Camp
New Zealand v Wales
Saviese, Switzerland
Wednesday June 15, 3pm (1am June 16, NZT)
New Zealand v Colombia
Apples, Switzerland
Saturday June 18, 6pm (4am June 19 NZT)
New Zealand v Denmark
Naters, Switzerland
Monday June 20, 5.30pm (3.30am June 21 NZT)
FIFA Women’s World Cup Germany 2011
New Zealand v Japan
Bochum, Germany
Monday June 27, 3pm (1am June 28 NZT)
Live on Sky Sport
New Zealand v England
Dresden, Germany
Monday July 1, 6.15pm (4.15am July 2 NZT)
Live on Sky Sport
New Zealand v Mexico
Sinsheim, Germany
Monday July 5, 6.15pm (4.15am July 6 NZT)
Live on Sky Sport
Story courtesy of New Zealand Football.
For more on New Zealand football go to www.nzfootball.co.nz