Michaela Foster

Michaela Leigh Foster is a New Zealand footballer who plays for Wellington Phoenix in the A-League Women and the New Zealand national team.[3][4][5]

For the men's footballer, see Michael Foster (footballer).

Michaela Foster
Personal information
Full name Michaela Leigh Foster
Date of birth (1999-01-09) 9 January 1999
Place of birth Hamilton, New Zealand[1]
Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)[2]
Position(s) Left Back
Team information
Current team
 Wellington Phoenix
Number 21
Youth career
Claudelands Rovers
Hamilton Wanderers
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2018–2021 San Diego Toreros 44 (6)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022 Northern Rovers
2022– Wellington Phoenix FC 18 (1)
International career‡
2016 New Zealand U17 10 (2)
2017–2018 New Zealand U20 5 (3)
2023– New Zealand 6 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 1 April 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 14 July 2023

Early and personal life

Michaela Leigh Foster is the daughter of Ian Foster, a former rugby union player who coaches the All Blacks. In November 2022, she got engaged to her girlfriend.[6] She attended Hamilton Girls' High School, later working in its sports department while a National League player.[7]

Club career

Foster played college soccer at the University of San Diego in California for four years and, upon her return to New Zealand, worked different jobs while playing for Northern Rovers in the National League.[7]

Though a recognised youth international, she did not play for a top-flight football team until she was 24,[7] when she joined Wellington Phoenix in October 2022 ahead of the A-League Women season.[6] She had been offered a scholarship position on the squad, with a lower wage; with good performances despite the team's poor results, and having played every minute for the team, she was given a full contract after four matches. Foster is considered the set-piece specialist of the team.[7]

International career

As a youth international, Foster captained New Zealand's under-17 and under-20 teams at their respective youth World Cups in 2016 and 2018. The under-17 coach said that while it can be hard to identify leaders in the youth levels, Foster stood out for her mana.[6]

After her successful debut season in the A-League, Foster was called up to the senior New Zealand national team in February 2023,[7] making her debut on 20 February 2023 in a friendly against Argentina.[1][8] She had originally been included only as a training player unavailable for selection, but with injury to Rebekah Stott was added to the squad.[7] On 30 June 2023, Foster was called up to the New Zealand squad for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.[9]

Career statistics

International
As of match played on 14 July 2023.[10]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
New Zealand 202360
Total60

References
  1. "NZ Football". www.nzfootball.co.nz. Archived from the original on 23 July 2023. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  2. "FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™ Squad Lists" (PDF). FIFA. 11 July 2023. p. 19. Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 July 2023. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
  3. "All Blacks coach beams as his daughter Michaela makes her New Zealand debut – Taipei Times". www.taipeitimes.com. 22 February 2023. Archived from the original on 14 July 2023. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  4. "From working in a supermarket to Women's World Cup". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 14 July 2023. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  5. "Playing at home: Michaela Foster on her first senior Ferns tour, making her debut, and "gamechanger" upgrades". www.sporty.co.nz. Archived from the original on 14 July 2023. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  6. "Top footballer Michaela Foster celebrates engagement". NZ Herald. 14 July 2023. Archived from the original on 12 July 2023. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  7. Rollo, Phillip (10 March 2023). "Michaela Foster on how her football exploits were a welcome distraction for All Blacks coach dad". Stuff. Archived from the original on 14 July 2023. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  8. "Michaela Foster makes Football Ferns debut at stadium 'that always felt like home'". Stuff. 21 February 2023. Archived from the original on 16 July 2023. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
  9. "Football Ferns squad named for FIFA Women's World Cup". New Zealand Football. 30 June 2023. Archived from the original on 16 July 2023. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
  10. "2018-now". ultimatenzsoccer.com. Archived from the original on 21 February 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
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