Macey Fraser Bio
Macey Leigh Fraser (born 11 July 2002) is a New Zealand footballer who plays as a midfielder for the Wellington Phoenix and the New Zealand national team. A creative central player known for her set-piece quality, Fraser rose through domestic youth ranks before earning a record-breaking professional contract and representing New Zealand across multiple age groups.
Standing 1.64 m tall, Fraser has built a reputation as a composed passer with a strong tactical understanding of the game. Her career has progressed rapidly since her professional debut, with spells in both the A-League Women and the National Women’s Soccer League in the United States.
Early Life and Background
Macey Leigh Fraser was born on 11 July 2002 in Rangiora, New Zealand, a town in the Canterbury region of the South Island. She grew up in a sporting household as the daughter of Pam Fraser and Gordon Fraser, and she has two older brothers who helped shape her early interest in football.
Fraser attended Rangiora High School, where she balanced her academic studies with a demanding football schedule. Her early football education came at Waimakariri United, a local club where she developed her technical foundation as a midfielder before attracting wider attention.
Her early exposure to international football came during her teenage years, when she was selected for the New Zealand Secondary Schools side. That squad toured Sydney, Australia in 2016 and travelled to the Dallas International Cup in Texas in 2019, giving Fraser valuable experience against overseas opposition well before her professional career began.
Path to Soccer
Fraser’s progression through New Zealand’s football pathway began in earnest with the New Zealand U17 setup in 2017. She was selected for the squad that competed at the 2017 OFC U-16 Women’s Championship, where New Zealand won the tournament and qualified for the 2018 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Uruguay.
At the U-17 World Cup in Uruguay, Fraser was part of a historic New Zealand side that became the first New Zealand football team to win a medal at a FIFA tournament. She also represented the New Zealand U20 team in 2022, making one appearance against Australia U20.
Her development at Waimakariri United attracted the attention of scouts from the Wellington Phoenix, and in 2021 she joined the Wellington Phoenix Academy. That move marked her transition from local youth football to a structured professional environment, setting the stage for her senior debut two years later.
Macey Fraser Career
Early Career (2019–2023)
Fraser began her competitive football journey at Waimakariri United, where she played from 2019 until 2021. Her performances in regional youth football were strong enough to earn her a place in the Wellington Phoenix Academy in 2021, where she continued to develop over the next two seasons.
During her time in the academy, Fraser balanced club commitments with international youth duty, representing New Zealand at U17 and U20 level. On 16 August 2023, she signed her first professional contract with the Wellington Phoenix, agreeing to a three-year deal that was the longest contract ever offered by the club at that time.
Wellington Phoenix Breakthrough (2023–2024)
Fraser made her professional debut on 15 October 2023 in a 1–0 defeat to Melbourne City. In her very next appearance, she scored her first goal for the club as Wellington Phoenix beat Western Sydney Wanderers 3–0, instantly announcing herself as a creative threat in midfield.
Her first professional season was widely recognised at the league level. Fraser was named in the A-League Women Team of the Season for the 2023–24 campaign, an honour that underlined her consistency and influence across the campaign. She wore the number 8 shirt during her time with the club.
The breakthrough year also brought senior international recognition. In February 2024, Fraser was called up to the New Zealand senior side for the first time for the 2024 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament – Oceania Qualifier. She made her senior debut in the opening match, a 3–0 win over Tonga, and soon after scored her first senior international goal in a 6–0 win over Samoa.
Utah Royals Era (2024–2025)
On 16 April 2024, Fraser signed with the Utah Royals of the National Women’s Soccer League in the United States. The transfer set a record as the highest fee ever received by an A-League Women club for a player sale, highlighting her rising profile in the global game.
Fraser made her NWSL debut on 25 May 2024 in a 1–0 defeat to the Kansas City Current. She continued to represent New Zealand internationally during her time in the United States, and on 4 July 2024 she was named in the New Zealand squad for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
In September 2025, Fraser departed Utah on a mutual contract termination, bringing an early end to her stint in the NWSL after one and a half seasons with the club.
Return to Wellington Phoenix (2025–Present)
Shortly after her departure from Utah, it was announced in September 2025 that Fraser would return to the Wellington Phoenix ahead of the 2025–26 A-League Women season. She signed a new three-year contract with the club, signalling a long-term commitment to her hometown franchise.
Fraser made her return to the Phoenix on 14 March 2026 against Brisbane Roar, playing in a 3–0 win. In her second match back, on 25 March, she scored a free kick from 20 metres during a 2–1 defeat against the Central Coast Mariners at Polytec Stadium in Gosford, Australia, reminding supporters of her quality from set pieces.
Driving Style and Strengths
Fraser operates primarily as a central midfielder, combining a strong passing range with disciplined positioning. Her standout quality is her delivery from dead-ball situations, as demonstrated by her 20-metre free kick on her return for Wellington Phoenix, and she reads the tempo of matches with maturity beyond her years.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among her career highlights, Fraser was part of the New Zealand U17 team that won a historic FIFA tournament medal in 2018, becoming the first New Zealand football side to do so. Her senior transfer to Utah Royals in 2024 set a new A-League Women transfer record, and she has been a regular feature in Football Ferns squads since her 2024 debut.
Macey Fraser Career Wins
Macey Fraser has built a young but decorated record across club and international football. Her most notable achievements include an OFC U-16 Women’s Championship title in 2017 and a historic medal at the 2018 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup with New Zealand. She has also earned individual recognition in the A-League Women.
Wellington Phoenix Highlights
During her first spell with Wellington Phoenix from 2023 to 2024, Fraser scored on her second professional appearance and was a consistent midfield presence throughout the season. Her performances led to her inclusion in the A-League Women Team of the Season for 2023–24, a clear marker of her impact at the club.
Other Wins and Performances
Fraser contributed to New Zealand’s qualifying campaign for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris and has remained a regular member of the Football Ferns squad. At youth level, she was part of the U17 side that won the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship and later earned a medal at the 2018 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Uruguay.
Macey Fraser Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Macey Fraser is the daughter of Pam Fraser and Gordon Fraser, and she grew up alongside two older brothers in Rangiora, New Zealand. Her family provided a supportive environment that allowed her to pursue football from a young age, and her upbringing in the Canterbury region helped shape her grounded approach to the professional game.
Personal Life
Fraser attended Rangiora High School as a teenager and continues to maintain ties to her hometown community. She is not publicly known to be married, and her focus remains firmly on her football career with Wellington Phoenix and the New Zealand national team.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year was a transitional period for Macey Fraser, beginning with her ongoing spell at Utah Royals in the NWSL and concluding with her return to Wellington Phoenix. Although her time in Utah ended with a mutual contract termination in September 2025, the move allowed her to secure a three-year deal back in New Zealand ahead of the 2025–26 A-League Women season.
Internationally, Fraser remained a trusted member of the Football Ferns squad throughout 2025, building on her senior debut in 2024 and her appearance at the Paris Olympics. Her consistency at both club and international level kept her in contention for regular starting minutes as the new A-League Women campaign approached.
Looking ahead, Fraser’s return to Wellington Phoenix in March 2026 and her immediate impact, including a long-range free kick against Central Coast Mariners, suggests she is set to be a central figure for the club across the next three seasons. Her blend of NWSL experience, international pedigree, and technical quality positions her as one of the most exciting New Zealand midfielders of her generation.