Melbourne Victory are on the brink of opening their W-League campaign. With the recent signing of New Zealand’s 2020 Female Young Player of the Year Claudia Bunge, their stocks appear to have risen.
Bunge is no stranger to New Zealand football, having represented the Ferns at the 2018 FIFA U17’s Women’s World Cup and FIFA U20’s Women’s World Cup.
She comes to Australia for her debut W-League season after playing four seasons with Glenfield Rovers in the Lotto Sport NRFL Premier League and Northern Lights in the NZ National Women’s League.
“I’ve been watching [W-League] for a while and it’s always been somewhere I’ve wanted to play in for some time,” Bunge says of the move.
“I’m really excited and obviously my first overseas experience. I’m really happy to be here.
“Gareth Turnbull [Victory Assistant Coach] helped connect me through to Jeff Hopkins – Turnbull who has also been my coach back in New Zealand for U17s and U20s.
“Jeff and I had been talking for a couple months leading up to before my signing.”
Welcome to Melbourne, Claudia Bunge! https://t.co/FLeH2Y9e2o #MVFC #Since05 pic.twitter.com/F1XH0tjeFS
— Victory W-League (@victorywleague) November 10, 2020
Bunge says there is still some improvement to go with the national side but cites that working with the Future Ferns has helped.
“We don’t have a professional league over there but I was really lucky enough to be part of a Future Ferns program. We played against boys so I think that really helped prepare me for professional football and coming here especially.
“For the games at the World Cups that I’ve been lucky enough to go to, it’s definitely a big jump for sure. Playing against the boys has helped me and a lot of players.”
Bunge’s dedication to football had to be put to the side at one stage last year during an invitational four team tournament featuring Brazil, Canada and hosts China. Taking her exam papers on the trip, Bunge did her exam a day after their opening match against China. A member from the Football Ferns management team even had to invigilate it!
“I’m studying a sports degree part-time so it’s not too time consuming. The two cross off quite well and we do a lot around the Olympics so it’s all quite connected.
“Uni is just stressful in general I think! I get breaks here and there but I’m not experiencing the full stress of a full-time student. It’s been all good so far”
Bunge says that it was amazing to play at the World Cups with her first experience being at the 2016 U-17s instalment in Jordan. NZ bowed out with a 3rd place group stage finish and did not advance in the competition.
“I remember our first game at the WC. We had one overseas trip beforehand but everyone including me was so nervous. We lost 5-0 to Mexico in our opening group stage game.
“Probably not the best start to an international career *laughs*
“I was just so stoked to be there in Jordan with my team-mates. I felt really lucky and my parents were there which made it just a bit more special.”
Bunge continued to rack up accolades, winning this year’s NZ Women’s Young Player of the year much to her surprise.
Top work @claudia_bunge, Women's Young Player Of The Year! #NZFAwards ⚽️🏆🇳🇿 pic.twitter.com/tsooq9qkhe
— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) October 1, 2020
“With the year everyone has had it’s been really tough but we have been lucky enough to train the majority of the year. I think we only lost three or four games in the program back home. I wasn’t expecting much with the Olympics being postponed and the Ferns had all these plans to play friendlies leading up to that and it just never happened.
“I didn’t really think much of [winning] until someone texted me about it and I didn’t really have any clue! It was a bit of a shock!”
New Zealand will co-host the 2023 FIFA Women’s WC with Australia and Bunge says that she is very excited.
“Everyone that gets asked that question will say the same. It’s an amazing achievement. I know Australia and New Zealand put a lot of effort into getting that bid.
“I think it will change women’s football and football in general in this side of the world, Not just for girls but for boys as well.”
“The Women’s World Cup is the biggest women’s sporting event in the world so I think it will settle in soon how massive and the magnitude [of it].
“Getting selected for it is definitely something I am working towards so hopefully I can achieve that.”
When asked on what Victory fans can expect from her, Bunge says she wants to do her part for the team.
“As a centre back, I want to be consistent when I am playing – if I can get the opportunity to play – which will obviously be to prevent conceding goals. Even if I’m not playing or whatever I want to be there for the team, on the field being really defensively solid.”
Bunge says she has enjoyed her time in Melbourne so far but, like any other player, has some personal goals she wants to achieve.
“Melbourne is definitely a place I think I would like to spend multiple seasons playing. A standout season would be great so I just want to do my best for the team and hopefully get the girls some silverware this year.”
Bunge says that the Victory squad has made her feel welcome to the team ahead of their first game.
“The girls here are really awesome. I didn’t know any of them when I came here but I know Gareth and Annalie Longo. I don’t feel like I am away from home really and I think Kiwis and Aussies have the same similar banter! It’s been really good and I’m really enjoying it so far.”
