Grace Jale

Grace Jale (born 10 April 1999) is an association football midfielder who plays for the Wellington Phoenix and the New Zealand women's national football team.

Grace Jale
Personal information
Full name Grace Joanna Ella Jale
Date of birth (1999-04-10) 10 April 1999
Place of birth Auckland, New Zealand,
Height 178 cm (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Wellington Phoenix
Number 10
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019 Wake Forest Demon Deacons 6 (0)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021- Wellington Phoenix 12 (6)
National team‡
2016 New Zealand U-17 3 (0)
2016 New Zealand U-20 6 (0)
2018– New Zealand 4 (2)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 4 March 2022
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 16 March 2019

Early life

Born and raised in Auckland to a Fijian father and New Zealand mother, Jale started playing football (soccer) at age 7.[1][2] She attended Mt Albert Grammar School where she helped the team to a national First XI championship. She also played for the Eastern Suburbs premier women's team.[3] During her first year playing for the Bay Olympic Club Team, she was named Player of the Year and was awarded a Variety Gold Heart Scholarship.[3]

Club career

In August 2018, Jale was offered a contract with Czech first-division club AC Sparta Praha,[4] but opted to attend and play for Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina in the United States.[5]

On 19 October 2021 Jale signed with the newly formed Wellington Phoenix team to play in their inaugural season of the 2021–22 A-League Women league.[6]

International career

Jale made her debut for the senior national team and scored her first international goal during a match against Tonga at the 2018 OFC Women's Nations Cup.[1] She previously represented New Zealand on the under-17 and under-20 national teams.[1] She competed at the 2016 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Jordan and 2016 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Papua New Guinea.

International goals
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.19 November 2018Stade Numa-Daly Magenta, Nouméa, New Caledonia Tonga11–011–02018 OFC Women's Nations Cup
2.22 November 2018 Cook Islands6–06–0

References
  1. "Grace Jale relishing senior debut tournament". WN.com. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  2. "Football Fern's Grace Jale looking for more game time in Noumea". OFC Football. 21 November 2018. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  3. "Exams first for schoolgirl star". New Zealand Herald. 14 November 2015. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  4. "Grace Jale offered European football contract". Mount Albert Grammar School. 2 August 2018. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  5. "Da Luz Welcomes Seven on Signing Day". Wake Forest University. 15 November 2018. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  6. "Wellington Phoenix women sign New Zealand midfielders Chloe Knott and Grace Jale". Stuff. 18 October 2021.


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