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RNZ News
16-07-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Grace Jale sticks with Wellington Phoenix
Grace Jale of Wellington Phoenix in 2024. Photo: AAP / Football Fern Grace Jale has re-signed with the Wellington Phoenix for another A-League season. It will be Jale's third campaign with the Phoenix, having been part of the inaugural women's team in 2021-22 before returning last year after two seasons away. Last season she made 21 appearances and scored two goals. "Last year I returned to do a job and that didn't happen and I'm not going to leave until that job is done," Jale said. "Winning was the ultimate goal but everyone's more realistic goal was to make the finals and see where we could go from there. "Despite falling short, I loved last season. There was a lot of learning and growth for me on and off the field, so I'm happy to be back." Jale expected to return to the Phoenix a more confident player, having worked on the mental side of her game with the club's staff. "Now I know what I can bring and with my experience, it's going to be my fifth year in the A-League, I know what to expect in the league and at the club. "The familiarity is comforting, and I can just focus on performing really." The 35-cap Football Fern showcased her versatility last season, even deputising in the centre of midfield at the end of the 2024-25 campaign. "There was definitely some getting used to it and the first game I played there was against Melbourne City, so it was a bit of a thrown under the bus kind of situation, but I actually loved it. "I enjoyed getting on the ball more, being able to control the pace and flow of the game and I just loved being in the middle. "There's more action and I can use my height and strength more." Interim Phoenix head coach Amy Shepherd said securing top New Zealand talent remained a key strategic focus for the club. "These signings are not only vital to our on-field success but also demonstrate our dedication to supporting the growth and development of our players on both domestic and international stages," Shepherd said. "Grace brings exceptional technical skill, athleticism, and versatility to the squad. They are attributes that will be crucial in what promises to be a significant season for the club. "Her wealth of experience at both domestic and international levels makes her a key contributor on and off the field. "We remain committed to supporting her ambitions with the Football Ferns as she sets her sights on Brazil 2027." Jale is the 16th player confirmed in the Wellington Phoenix women's squad for the 2025-26 A-League season. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
23-06-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Wellington Phoenix sign Football Ferns keeper
Victoria Esson of Football Ferns Photo: Lynne Cameron/ The competitiveness of the A-League was one of the main reasons Football Ferns' goalkeeper Victoria Esson signed with the Wellington Phoenix. Esson has played in Europe for seven seasons, the last three at Rangers in Scotland. The 34-year-old said with only half the teams in the Scottish league fully professional it did lead to some lopsided results. "That's a really big mental test to try and stay focussed in a game," Esson said. "I like to be challenged and I think the games where we were winning by double figures I'm not being challenged as much on a weekly basis. "I think in order for me to continue to grow my game and to feel like I'm still developing as a goalkeeper the competitive nature of the league (A-League) is definitely enticing for me. At Rangers FC in Scotland, Esson won five trophies alongside fellow new Phoenix signing Tessel Middag, after previously playing in Germany and Norway. She has been capped 28 times by New Zealand at senior level and started all of the Ferns' internationals in 2025. She has signed a one year deal with the capital team. Esson had long dreamed of playing professionally in Aotearoa, but it wasn't an option for her in 2019 so she had to go offshore in order to pursue a full-time football career. "It's going to be the first time my family and friends will be able to watch me play games at club level on a weekly basis. It's pretty exciting that this is about to become my reality," she said. "Having played in America, Norway, Germany and Scotland I think I've become a more rounded person and a more rounded footballer." Interim Phoenix head coach Amy Shepherd is thrilled to have secured Esson's signature. "She brings a wealth of experience from the international stage - including FIFA World Cups and Olympic Games - as well as from top-level club football," Shepherd said. "Vic's leadership from the back and her passion for driving both this club and the women's game forward in Aotearoa are qualities that will be vital for the 2025-2026 season. Victoria Esson is the 13th player confirmed in the Wellington Phoenix women's squad for the 2025-26 A-League, with further signings and re-signings to follow in the coming weeks.
RNZ News
04-06-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Midday Sports News for 4 June 2025
The Football Ferns coach Michael Mayne was pleased with the response of the players after making some personnel changes for this morning's second game against Venezuela, which New Zealand won 2-1 to tie the two match series 1-all. Tags: To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
RNZ News
03-06-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Football Ferns bounce back with 2-1 win over Venezuela
Photo: Photosport The Football Ferns have bounced back by beating Venezuela 2-1 in their second international friendly in Spain as the side aims to build more competition for starting spots. The South Americans, who are ranked 51st in the world, opened the scoring but New Zealand hit back through Milly Clegg before Jacqui Hand put them ahead in the 73rd minute. Midfielder Katie Kitching was happy with the improved performance from the Football Ferns, who are 32nd in the FIFA rankings. "It was a tough match again they made it hard for us but we stuck to the game plan and came out with the win so really happy about that," Kitching said. "We had lots of positives and lots of things to work on from the first game so we used the time we had off the pitch to work on it go through film work together and hopefully implement it today which we did." Kitching was given the captain's arm band towards the end of the match. "Yeah really special I didn't really expect Flea (Annalie Longo) to give it to me but yeah it was really nice to be captain even for a little bit." Football Ferns coach Michael Mayne was disappointed with his side's 3-1 loss to Venezuela on Sunday and thought some of the individual performances weren't up to scratch. "Obviously made a few changes based on that and I think the players that started the game got us on the front foot," Mayne said. "Our reaction over the last few days to come in, work a little bit harder, be a bit braver with the ball ...we controlled good periods of that game so I'm 100 percent pleased with the reaction." Mayne said building competition within the squad was important. "I trusted the group that there was players that wanted to step in and have the opportunity so there's a number of players there that have done the work the last couple of days to I guess answer some questions I had in my head so they've trained really well, they've recovered really well. "I think that was the biggest difference, is that competition, if a player doesn't perform there's going to be someone waiting in this team now ready to take their spot and so I just think that drives the performance so that's been the biggest shift." Mayne, who is settling in after his appointment to lead the team for the 2027 World Cup, said they were getting a lot out of their tours. "I'm working the players pretty hard, these tours ... we're looking at different ways to work, there's a number of things we trialled this tour around our trainings and structure so the players are responding to that ...the buy-in has been top class."
RNZ News
03-06-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Sports News for 4 June 2025
The Football Ferns have beaten Venezuela 2-1 in their second international friendly in Spain. Tags: To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
