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.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Grace Cecilia Wisnewski | ||
| Date of birth | 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) |
|
*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 edit
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 edit
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 edit
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 edit
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Grace Wisnewski on her potential return. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
- ^ "Phoenix break Melbourne hearts with 99th minute equaliser". 1 News. Archived from the original on 22 July 2023. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Hamilton footballer taking her chances on the world stage". New Zealand Herald. 28 November 2018. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
- ^ "Whistlestop tour for Wisnewski family to witness goalscorer Grace's World Cup highlight". Stuff. 2 December 2018. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
- ^ "Futsal Whites trio join London club to play in top tier of UK competition". friendsoffootballnz.com. 16 January 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
- ^ "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.
External links edit
- Grace Wisnewski at Soccerway