Grace Jale

Grace Jale rejoined the Wellington Phoenix in August 2024 after two seasons away from the club.

The Football Ferns forward was part of the Phoenix women’s inaugural squad in 2021, having stood out from a young age at both club and school level.

Born and raised in Auckland, Jale represented Mt Albert Grammar School, Eastern Suburbs and Bay Olympic and represented New Zealand at the FIFA U-17 and U-20 Women’s World Cups in 2016.

She made her debut for the Football Ferns in 2018 and played for Wake Forest University in the U.S.A. the following year.

The Covid pandemic brought an end to Jale’s time in the U.S. and two serious ankle injuries also curtailed her football career.

She was the Phoenix’s leading goal scorer in the women’s team’s maiden campaign, finding the back of the net six times in 12 matches, and was recalled to the Ferns after a four-year absence.

Jale moved to Canberra United for the 2022-23 A-League season. She was a key member of their side, starting 17 of their 18 matches and scoring three goals and providing seven assists.

She was a regular in the Ferns starting XI early in 2023 and made two appearances at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Jale signed with Perth Glory for the 2023-24 A-League and made a fast start to the season, scoring three goals in their first four matches to help Perth to the top of the ladder.

She was unable to find the back of the net for the rest of the campaign as Perth faded out of finals contention.

Jale remained a key part of the Football Ferns set-up and played all three of New Zealand’s matches at the Paris Olympics.

> 2024-25 season

Grace Jale made 21 appearances for the Phoenix upon her return to the club, missing two matches because of injury.

Jale scored two long-range goals at Porirua Park to help the Nix to wins over Sydney FC and Perth Glory and provided an assist in a 3-0 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers.

She re-signed with the club in July.

“Last year I returned to do a job and that didn’t happen and I’m not going to leave until that job is done.

“Winning was the ultimate goal, but everyone’s more realistic goal was to make the finals and see where we could go from there.

“Despite falling short, I loved last season. There was a lot of learning and growth for me on and off the field, so I’m happy to be back.”