Wellington Phoenix have had to replace departing women's coach Gemma Lewis on the eve of their second A-League campaign.
The former Welsh international steered the club through its debut season of two wins and a draw from 14 games in the Aussie women's competition, based entirely across the Tasman during the COVID-19 pandemic.
But Lewis has secured a role as women's senior pathway manager for Wales FA, which will also allow her to study for her UEFA pro licence.
"Being able to work in women's football in Europe right now is huge and the opportunity to do my pro licence as well is something that was a big pull for me," said Lewis. "The cherry on the cake is I get to return home - I've been away from Wales for nine years.
"The opportunity to do all that, and go home and spend a bit more time with my family all rolled into a package that was too hard to turn down."
Lewis is also NZ U20 coach, as well as leading the Future Ferns development programme. Most of her Phoenix roster were youngsters on the fringe of the national senior squad.
"Gemma will forever be our first women’s head coach," said Phoenix general manager David Dome. "She did an incredible job putting a team together at short notice for our inaugural A-League women’s season and ensured they were competitive on the field, while playing the entirety of their season in Australia.
"Gemma has a great opportunity to develop further as a coach in Wales and she leaves with our best wishes."
Assistant coach Natalie Lawrence will step into the head role, with the A-League Women schedule due to be announced this week.
England-born Lawrence has guided Capital Football in the national women's competition, headed the Vancouver Whitecaps academy programme in Canada, before returning to work Team Wellington's youth team in the men's national league.
She was also Lewis' assistant with the Junior Football Ferns.
"I have been Gemma’s assistant in quite a lot of projects, but how we work together is really collaborative," said Lawrence. "We work together so closely on everything and I think that will really help me going into this role, as well as the heading coaching experience I've had previously."
"Gemma will be massively missed amongst the staff and the players, and we'll try and do her proud this season, but we’re really excited for what she’s going to be doing in Wales."
