Marisa van der Meer’s contract with the Wellington Phoenix has been terminated by mutual consent after the defender suffered another serious knee injury, but she’s set to return to the club in 2025.
Van der Meer, 22, has re-ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her right knee and will miss the 2024-25 Liberty A-League season.
In consultation with the Phoenix, she has decided to continue her rehab in Auckland, where she has recently graduated as a physiotherapist, and aims to return to football next year.
The club will offer van der Meer a new contract for the 2025-26 A-League if she successfully completes a medical assessment by next September.
The versatile defender was sidelined for the majority of last season after rupturing her ACL in early December while in Colombia with the Football Ferns.
She re-ruptured her ACL six months later during a rehab session.
“I signed a contract with the club, was super excited, then a week later I had my injury,” van der Meer said.
“That first time I injured my right knee, I solely did my ACL. I had the first reconstruction to put a graft in and make a new ACL.
“This time I went to go get a scan, and they could tell even beforehand that it didn’t feel like it should have.
“I tore my medial and lateral meniscus as well. There was a little tear in the meniscus, which sits on top of the bone, and acts as a shock absorber.
“Thankfully the surgery was just getting a little suture in there and stitching that tear up. It wasn’t like I needed to be sitting in a brace for six weeks.”
The Cantabrian is grateful for the support that the Phoenix have provided during her recovery.
“Obviously it’s not an easy journey to go through.
“The club were really supportive of me doing my first surgery where I was more comfortable, back at home with my family.
“I came back up to Wellington a week later, and it was such a good environment. I got to be at the NZCIS facility which was great.”
And Marisa van der Meer and the club are aligned on their long term goals, starting with her ongoing rehab in Auckland.
“I’m ruled out for this coming season, but it gives me time to get focused and come back healthy.
“It’s going to be a long one, but we just keep going and I appreciate the club supporting me.
“It’s nice that the club want to see me back on the field.”
Having now digested the setback, she is determined to keep her eyes focused on the future.
“I was very emotional. In a way I accepted what happened, and looked forward, not dwelling on it too much.
“I want to get back to playing football. I thought it was going to be the end of this year, but things shifted. That’s okay. My goals are still there.”
And van der Meer still has big plans in her sights.
“I got a little glimpse [of international football] when I did go away with the Ferns.
“I think that was an eye-opener that this is something I want to keep doing and want to keep striving for. I want to get that first cap.
“It’s definitely still my goal, and to be back in the A-League would be great. I just want to get myself going again.”
Phoenix women’s head coach Paul Temple is “devastated” for Marisa van der Meer as he was looking forward to working with her again.
“It’s a horrible part of football, those big injuries,” Temple said.
“It’s just about supporting Marisa as best we could, good communication with her around the best situation for her rehab and progress off the pitch.
“Being in Auckland enables her to be with family and friends, having that support network around her. It’s about doing what’s best for Marisa.”
And he knows van der Meer’s character sets her in good stead to come back stronger.
“She’s quite understated in the way she goes about her business, but she’s so strong.
“I know she’s been gutted, but how she’s kept perspective with the whole situation, it’s a testament to the person she is.
“She’s still staying positive. It takes some person to keep that dedication and focus on the rehab after what she’s been through.
“We’ve made our intention clear. Once she’s back fit again, we want to give her the opportunity to come back and be part of what we’re doing.”
