Marisa van deer Meer has fought back from two serious knee injuries in six months to secure a new two-year contract with the Wellington Phoenix.
The centre back, who was a key member of the Phoenix women’s team in their first two A-League seasons in Aotearoa, ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her right knee in December 2023 while in Colombia with the Football Ferns.
Van der Meer, 23, re-ruptured the ACL in the same knee six months into her rehab and soon after re-signing with the Phoenix for the 2024-25 Ninja A-League.
Her contract was later terminated by mutual consent allowing van der Meer to focus on her recovery and start her career as a physiotherapist in Auckland.
She is “super thrilled” to be back with the Phoenix.
“I’ve obviously had time to focus on other areas of my life and start a career, which has been awesome,” van der Meer said. “But football has definitely been the missing link and I’ve been wanting to get back to it.
“It’s been a big 18 months of rehabbing by myself and finding the joy again in football.
“Obviously the first time I did the ACL I was very determined for the rehab to really get back stronger.
“The second time was a setback and mentally there was a small period I was thinking about having to go through it all again.
“But I think I always had the drive to get back and I’m still young so I was determined during my rehab to get myself back on the field.
“And now I’m ready to go again.”
She returned to football with Western Springs AFC in July and made seven appearances for WSAFC in the NRFL women’s premiership.
“It felt so good to be back. It obviously felt like I haven’t done this in a while, but it was really good. I was beaming. I had a huge smile my face.
“It’s been good playing as a centre back and getting on the ball.
“It’s been a real focus of mine to work on my game in possession; getting comfortable again playing those forward passes and being brave on the ball which has progressed with each game.
“I enjoyed the team environment at Western Springs and with Katie Duncan coming in as head coach it was nice to get an ex-Football Fern’s perspective on things.”
The first ACL rupture denied van der Meer the chance to make her Football Ferns debut and she is determined to get back in the national team environment.
“It’s always been an ambition and a goal of mine. I’ve had the opportunity to be in and around those spaces but I’m still looking for my first cap.
“It’s such an honour to represent your country so for sure that’s always at the back of the mind when you’re in the gym, you’re training and getting through the rehab. It definitely kept me motivated.
“It’s definitely still a goal and having that there is important but I’m focusing on what I can do every day from here.”
Phoenix head coach Bev Priestman says van der Meer has earned her new contract after working tirelessly over the past 18 months.
“It speaks to Marisa’s character to have come back from two ACLs in the way that she has,” Priestman said. “And speaking to her she is incredibly motivated to achieve both our club goals and also her own personal goals such as representing the Football Ferns, which is the hunger and desire you want from your players.
“She was a real asset when she played for the Phoenix previously and I got the chance to see her play for Western Springs in person recently as well as reviewing other game footage.
“Marisa is very good in the air, good on the ball and also loves to defend which I think is an asset that you want in any centre back.”
Marisa van der Meer will wear the no. 16 shirt for the Phoenix women this season and is the 21st player confirmed in the squad for the 2025-26 Ninja A-League.
