The Wellington Phoenix will make sporting history tonight when they play their inaugural women's A-league match.

New Zealand's first professional women's football team will hope to open with victory against the Western Sydney Wanderers in Wollongong.

But the fact they're finally taking to the field is a big win in the eyes of many.

Former Football Ferns international Rebecca Rolls, who is also the Diversity and Inclusion Manager at Sport NZ spoke to Midday Report's Māni Dunlop.