The Football Ferns’ Keith Hay Park FIFA World Cup Success Story

Football Ferns’ World Cup goal scoring hero Hannah Wilkinson signs a young Auckland United FC player’s shirt at Keith Hay Park training.

The New Zealand Football Ferns have made themselves at home at Auckland United FC’s Keith Hay Park for the duration of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, a move which has proved the perfect launching pad for World Cup success.

The Ferns pulled off a stunning upset over Norway last night at a packed Eden Park in what was the opening match of the tournament, and the Football Ferns first ever victory at any World Cup in 32 years of trying.

The magnitude of this victory cannot be overstated although the Ferns will not have time to dwell on it for too long as their focus will remain on the ultimate goal of making it out of the group stage.

A fairly short turnaround sees them take on the Philippines in Wellington on Tuesday, followed by their final pool match vs 20th ranked Switzerland on Sunday 30 July at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.

The Ferns’ new home training base at Keith Hay Park was opened up to the public this week giving some of our younger (and some older!) players the opportunity to meet their heroes and watch the team train.

Auckland United FC’s Keith Hay Park facilities and new #1 pitch are suitably world class and the club couldn’t be more proud of hosting the Football Ferns.

Check out some of the highlights from the Ferns’ public training below.