# Grace Jale

Grace Joana Ella Jale (born 10 April 1999) is an association football midfielder who plays for Wellington Phoenix and the New Zealand women's national football team. She has previously played for Perth Glory and Canberra United.

## Early life

Born and raised in Auckland to a Fijian father and New Zealand mother, Jale started playing football (soccer) at age 7. She attended Mt Albert Grammar School where she helped the team to a national First XI championship. She also played for the Eastern Suburbs premier women's team. During her first year playing for the Bay Olympic Club Team, she was named Player of the Year and was awarded a Variety Gold Heart Scholarship.

## Club career

In August 2018, Jale was offered a contract with Czech first-division club AC Sparta Praha, but opted to attend and play for Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina in the United States.
On 19 October 2021 Jale signed with the newly formed Wellington Phoenix team to play in their inaugural season of the 2021–22 A-League Women league.
In July 2022, following a successful season with Wellington Phoenix, Jale joined for Australian A-League Women club Canberra United on a two-year contract.
In August 2023, Jale was signed by A-League Women club Perth Glory. At the end of the season she departed the club.
In August 2024, Jale returned to Wellington Phoenix.

## International career

Jale made her debut for the senior national team and scored her first international goal during a match against Tonga at the 2018 OFC Women's Nations Cup. She previously represented New Zealand on the under-17 and under-20 national teams. She competed at the 2016 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Jordan and 2016 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in Papua New Guinea.

### 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup

In June 2023, Jale was selected as part of the 23 player Football Ferns squad for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, which was co-hosted in Australia and New Zealand. She played two matches in the group stage.

## International goals

| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
| 1. | 19 November 2018 | Stade Numa-Daly Magenta, Nouméa, New Caledonia | Tonga | 11–0 | 11–0 | 2018 OFC Women's Nations Cup |
| 2. | 22 November 2018 | Stade Numa-Daly Magenta, Nouméa, New Caledonia | Cook Islands | 6–0 | 6–0 | 2018 OFC Women's Nations Cup |
| 3. | 7 February 2024 | FFS Football Stadium, Apia, Samoa | Tonga | 1–0 | 3–0 | 2024 OFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament |
| 4. | 7 February 2024 | FFS Football Stadium, Apia, Samoa | Tonga | 3–0 | 3–0 | 2024 OFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament |
| 5. | 16 February 2024 | FFS Football Stadium, Apia, Samoa | Fiji | 3–0 | 7–1 | 2024 OFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament |
| 6. | 16 February 2024 | FFS Football Stadium, Apia, Samoa | Fiji | 6–0 | 7–1 | 2024 OFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament |
| 7. | 16 February 2024 | FFS Football Stadium, Apia, Samoa | Fiji | 7–0 | 7–1 | 2024 OFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament |
| 8. | 19 February 2024 | FFS Football Stadium, Apia, Samoa | Solomon Islands | 4–0 | 11–1 | 2024 OFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament |
| 9. | 19 February 2024 | FFS Football Stadium, Apia, Samoa | Solomon Islands | 8–1 | 11–1 | 2024 OFC Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament |