Photography: Hagen Hopkins.
Football Ferns star CJ Bott is buzzing as she imagines her son being raised on the sidelines, doted on by a squad full of aunties and role models.
“It’s going to be cool that our little guy grows up in a female-dominated sports environment,” says the Wellington Phoenix Women’s captain, who’s expecting her first child in July with fiancé Ryan Preston.
“He’ll see what powerful, strong women are all about.”
Their son’s arrival, though, has already caused a bit of a shake-up, with the couple putting their July wedding on hold.
“I didn’t fancy walking down the aisle nine months pregnant,” laughs CJ.
They’ve moved the date back exactly a year, hoping their little boy can act as a ringbearer, but they may have to put it off a little longer as CJ hopes to return to the football field to play in her third FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil the very same month – with her newest fan cheering her on from the stands, of course!
A happy surprise
Although the pregnancy was unexpected, CJ and Ryan, both 30, couldn’t be more thrilled.
“It’s a very welcome surprise – it’s just a bit sooner than we were anticipating,” laughs CJ.
“But that’s just life sometimes and now it’s really exciting.”
Breaking the news to coach Bev Priestman was the most nerve-wracking conversation of her life, recalls CJ.
From nerves to support
“The team had just lost a couple of players to knee injuries and I had quite a big leadership role, so I was hoping it would all be OK. I burst into tears and Bev hugged me straightaway. She has a child herself, so she understands. It was a really comforting conversation where I felt safe, seen and supported.”
Telling her teammates was a lot more fun.
CJ says, “Bev announced it in a team meeting as if the Phoenix were making a new signing, then a confetti cannon went off. The girls are so excited they’ll have a little mini-me running around.”
After first falling in love at the age of 11, life has come full circle for CJ and Ryan. The couple met as classmates at Tawa Intermediate School 20 years ago and have now bought their first home in the Wellington suburb.
Big changes off the pitch
But CJ admits it’s been a tough adjustment after a decade playing professional football around the world.
“There have been a lot of big moments lately – buying a house, signing with a new team, then expecting a baby,” she confesses.
“I struggled for a little bit, but I’m definitely finding my bearings now. We’re absolutely loving being home, around friends and having family just around the corner.”
Pregnancy, injury and perspective
CJ is finding the second trimester of her pregnancy a lot easier than the first, when she played football while suffering from “crazy” fatigue. Unfortunately, her season ended prematurely when she suffered a knee injury.
“It’s been very frustrating stepping back a lot more than I was intending to – that’s been a hard pill to swallow,” CJ admits.
“I wish I could still play. Just watching football isn’t nearly as fun!”
Still in the game, just differently
Still training four or five days a week with the Phoenix squad, CJ is adjusting her training to fit around her expanding belly. She’s supporting her team from the stands at home games, rather than sitting on the bench.
“I’d probably be a bit too loud on the bench!” she tells.
“And if the game doesn’t go well, I’ve still got a couple of days to cool off before we talk about it.”
A career built across continents
As a teen, CJ never imagined playing pro football for her home city. She left Wellington at 17 to play in Auckland, then travelled the world, signing with professional clubs in Germany, Sweden and Norway.
After she played three seasons with the Leicester City Women Football Club in England’s top league, CJ and Ryan, who works as a joiner, made the decision to return to New Zealand last year.
“When we were ready to come home, there was a seat at the Phoenix table for me and it was perfect,” she smiles.
“I’m very grateful for how it’s all worked out. We’re counting our lucky stars that we’ve got a place to call home and we’re pretty much ready for this baby, even if he’s coming a little sooner than we expected.”
CJ and Ryan know they won’t go short of babysitters – this will be the first grandchild for both their mothers, who used to play netball together. The baby’s sex has come as a bit of a surprise, though, says Ryan.
“My mum was certain it was going to be a girl – she was already buying dresses. We’ll have to try again for a little girl!”
