Teenage midfielder Grace Wisnewski has pulled the pin on her maiden Wellington Phoenix A-League campaign, suffering the mental toll of months away from home under COVID-19 conditions.
Wisnewski, 19, stood down from a game earlier this month for mental health reasons, but after taking the field in the team's last two fixtures - including their historic first win over Canberra - she has elected to return to New Zealand, now Kiwi travellers can return home without passing through managed isolation quarantine.
"This hasn't been a decision that's been easy for Grace to make," says coach Gemma Lewis. "She's a big part of this team both on and off the field.
"We're incredibly proud of the bravery that Grace has shown to ask for help when needed and to prioritise her mental wellbeing.
“She’s a brilliant player, but also such an incredible person and we feel lucky to have had her be part of this first Wellington Phoenix team.
"Everyone here will miss Grace, but both the players and staff are fully behind her, and we're some of her biggest supporters on her mental health journey."
Wisnewski was a member of the NZ team that finished third at the 2018 U17 World Cup and has played every minute of every match this season, except against Melbourne Victory, when she took a break.
The Phoenix women achieved their maiden victory two weeks ago, but Lewis admitted afterwards the result was much needed, with many of her young players already counting down until they could return across the Tasman from their Wollongong base.
The club had hoped to bring some games back to Wellington before the season ended, but gave up that dream, due to the volatility of NZ border restrictions under the pandemic. The women have two more games scheduled, against Western Sydney Wanderers (February 27) and Perth Glory (March 4).
"We are immensely proud of Grace and her courage to do what is right for her and her mental health," says Phoenix general manager David Dome. "Despite being just 19, she is a role model for young athletes, because of both her performances on the pitch and how she has conducted herself during what has been a trying season for the whole team.
"The entire club stands in solidarity with Grace and we look forward to seeing her back on the pitch when she's ready."
