MAGS footballer Grace Jale selected in Football Ferns squad

Mount Albert Grammar School 16-year-old footballer Grace Jale has been selected in the senior Football Ferns squad to play South American Giants Brazil at the end of this month.

Grace, a member of the national champion MAGS Girls’ First XI side, is one of three new players picked in the 19-player squad to play two internationals in Brazil on 28 November and 1 December.

In early September in Taupo, MAGS became the first girls’ football team to win three consecutive New Zealand Championships, beating St Peter’s Cambridge 2-0 in the Friday.

Midfielder Grace also plays for Auckland’s Eastern Suburbs in the ASB Women’s League competition.

She is a member of both the U-17 and U-20 squads and has come through the pathway leading to the national side having been involved the youth development National Talent Centre programme before featuring in both age-group sides. 
Head Coach Tony Readings says the Football Ferns staff have been monitoring Grace’s progress and now is the time to give her a chance with the senior national side.
“Grace has been identified in the system for a while so we have been aware of her qualities.  She performed very well for the U-20s in their recent World Cup qualifiers and has continued this form in ASB Women’s League. 

“She possesses the attacking qualities we are looking to improve in the squad and this a great opportunity to continue her development.”

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