Grace Wisnewski

Grace Cecilia Wisnewski (born 28 June 2002) is a New Zealand professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Wellington Phoenix in A-League Women and the New Zealand national team.

Grace Wisnewski
Personal information
Full name Grace Cecilia Wisnewski
Date of birth (2002-06-28) 28 June 2002
Place of birth New Zealand
Height 1.64 m (5 ft 4+1⁄2 in)
Position(s) Central midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Wellington Phoenix
Number 8
Youth career
Hamilton Wanderers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021– Wellington Phoenix 25 (2)
International career‡
2017–2018 New Zealand U17 10 (9)
2019–2020 New Zealand U20 3 (0)
2023– New Zealand 2 (0)
Medal record
FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup
Bronze medal – third place 2018 Uruguay
OFC U-19 Women's Championship
Gold medal – first place 2019 Cook Islands
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 01 May 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 21 February 2022

Club career

In October 2021, Wisnewski joined Wellington Phoenix in A-League Women from Hamilton Wanderers. Having grown up a fan of the club, she joined their first women's team.[1] She played every minute of in all of the eleven games she played in the team's first season; she cut her season short in order to return to New Zealand when it lifted COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions. She had struggled with her mental health and was contemplating quitting football. The break she took helped her be more excited for football, and six months later she signed a new deal with the Phoenix in September 2022.[2] She picked up a calf injury shortly afterwards, keeping her from playing for some time.[3] Back by April 2023, Wisnewski scored the latest-minute goal in regulation time in A-League history with, what A-League statistician Andrew Howe called, an "acrobatic equaliser" in the 99th minute of a match against defending league champions Melbourne Victory, providing a 2–2 draw for the last-placed Phoenix.[4]

International career

Wisnewski scored three goals as part of the New Zealand U-17 side that won the bronze medal at the 2018 Women's World Cup. At under-19 level, she won the Golden Ball as player of the tournament at the 2019 OFC U-19 Women's Championship that New Zealand won.[1] She was a member of the New Zealand U-20 side and took part with them in the 2022 World Cup.[5]

Wisnewski made her senior début for the Football Ferns as a substitute in a 0–4 loss to the United States on 18 January 2023.[6] A few days later, she came on again in the second half when they met again.[7]

On 30 June 2023, Ava Collins, Meikayla Moore, and Kate Taylor were named as reserve players for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.[8] The following week, however, Moore declined to join the squad as a reserve player and Wisnewski was called up as a reserve player instead of her.[9]

Family and personal life

Grace has three brothers Logan, Kyle and Blake.[10][11] Logan and Kyle play professional futsal,[12] with Logan playing for the New Zealand national futsal team.[13]

References
  1. Rollo, Phillip (25 November 2021). "Grace Wisnewski grew up watching the Wellington Phoenix on TV, now she's playing". Stuff. Archived from the original on 17 July 2023. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  2. Rollo, Phillip (2 September 2022). "Grace Wisnewski welcomed back by Wellington Phoenix after mental health struggles". Stuff. Archived from the original on 22 July 2023. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  3. Grace Wisnewski on her potential return. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  4. "Phoenix break Melbourne hearts with 99th minute equaliser". 1 News. Archived from the original on 22 July 2023. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  5. "Junior Football Ferns squad announced for U-20 Women's World Cup Costa Rica". New Zealand Football. 26 July 2022. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  6. "Spielbericht - Spielbericht Neuseeland - Vereinigte Staaten, 18.01.2023 - Freundschaftsspiele - Frauenfußball auf soccerdonna.de". soccerdonna.de. Archived from the original on 14 July 2023. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  7. "Spielbericht - Spielbericht Neuseeland - Vereinigte Staaten, 21.01.2023 - Freundschaftsspiele - Frauenfußball auf soccerdonna.de". soccerdonna.de. Archived from the original on 14 July 2023. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  8. "Football Ferns squad named for FIFA Women's World Cup". New Zealand Football. 30 June 2023. Archived from the original on 5 July 2023. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  9. Voerman, Andrew (6 July 2023). "FIFA Women's World Cup: Meikayla Moore turns down Football Ferns training invite". Stuff. Archived from the original on 7 July 2023. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  10. "Hamilton footballer taking her chances on the world stage". New Zealand Herald. 28 November 2018. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  11. "Whistlestop tour for Wisnewski family to witness goalscorer Grace's World Cup highlight". Stuff. 2 December 2018. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  12. "Futsal Whites trio join London club to play in top tier of UK competition". friendsoffootballnz.com. 16 January 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  13. "Good luck to the @nzffutsal #FutsalWhites who begin their OFC Futsal Nations World Cup Qualifying campaign against Vanuatu in Auckland tomorrow!". Wellington Phoenix. 30 September 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2023 – via Instagram.
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