Wrexham AFC’s Inaugural Tour of Australia and New Zealand
Wrexham AFC is embarking on its inaugural tour of Australia and New Zealand, marking a significant chapter in the club’s history as they set their sights on the Championship in the 2025-26 season. The Red Dragons will engage with three A-League teams across various cities during their preseason journey, with ESPN capturing the action as manager Phil Parkinson and club owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney steer the club toward potential Premier League ambitions.
Arrival in Melbourne
In Melbourne, during a media event along the picturesque Yarra River, James McClean humorously commented on the extensive distance from home.
“Australia is really far away, isn’t it?”
He noted that his previous travel experiences only extended as far as Hong Kong.
After a long journey from Manchester that included nearly 24 hours of travel across multiple time zones, the players arrived in Melbourne on Monday evening. The team’s medical staff, under Parkinson’s guidance, prepared them for this transition, and McClean displayed impressive energy by Tuesday morning, suggesting that he might have discovered an effective antidote to jet lag. He even ventured out to find a boxing gym in the city the very next day, emphasizing his enthusiasm for all sports beyond just football.
Engaging with Australian Sports Culture
The Aussie sports culture is something McClean is eager to delve into, having recently watched the A-League Grand Final featuring Melbourne Victory versus Melbourne City. He particularly reminisced about Mathew Leckie’s tough performance that day, which showcased the competitive nature of Australian football.
Preparation for Upcoming Matches
Hollywood actors Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds are actively involved in running this historic club, which is the third oldest professional football organization globally – a journey well-documented in their award-winning series available on Disney+.
This Australian adventure is not merely a vacation for the Wrexham squad; rather, it is a focused preparation for their upcoming match. Training sessions commenced in the Melbourne suburb of Bundoora, where players eagerly anticipated a blend of work and leisure, including a visit to the local zoo for classic photos with kangaroos and koalas. As wild kangaroos could appear on the training grounds, their visit promises to be memorable.
In his discussions with the local press, Parkinson highlighted the importance of acclimating to Melbourne’s environment, indicating that they had already begun to familiarize themselves with the local scene.
“We had a walk last evening and enjoyed a few drinks – just the staff, by the way, not the players! It’s important to get a feel for the city, and we are excited about our time here,”
he commented.
As Wrexham prepares for a challenging match against Melbourne Victory on Friday, they’ll be training on alternative pitches at the Home of the Matildas due to prior bookings for local championships. The team’s adaptability will be crucial as they hone their skills while experiencing the vibrant Australian atmosphere.
