Grace Jale (ex WYNRS) - 2nd youngest Football Fern behind Annalie Longo

Youth international Grace Jale will step up to senior level after being named as one of three newcomers in the Football Ferns squad for a two-match tour of Brazil later this month.

The Eastern Suburbs star joins fellow New Zealand-based players Kate Loye and Aimee Phillips in being called up for the first time and could make her debut against the seventh-ranked South American giants. Coach Tony Readings says the inclusion of Jale and co - all three of whom are currently playing in the national ASB Women's League competition - freshens up his options in the middle and attacking thirds of the pitch. “It is important that we are constantly looking at bringing players into the squad who will add to the quality of the group and provide us with different options," he says. The talented Jale, a member of both the U-17 and U-20 squads, has come through the pathway leading to the national side having been involved in the youth development National Talent Centre programme before featuring in both age-group teams. Readings says the Football Ferns staff have been monitoring Jale’s progress and now is the time to give her a chance in the senior national set-up. “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 the ASB Women’s League," he says. “She possesses the attacking qualities we are looking to improve in the squad and this a great opportunity to continue her development.” Just 16-years-old, Jale also enjoyed a strong season for Eastern Suburbs in this year's Lotto NRFL Women's Premier, scoring 14 goals to earn the team's golden boot mantle.

Jale will have plenty of Aucklanders for company in the Football Ferns squad with a raft of other players from the region included, namely captain Abby Erceg, Ria Percival, Katie Duncan, Betsy Hassett, Annalie Longo, Kirsty Yallop, Sarah Gregorius, Amber Hearn, Jasmine Pereira and Rosie White. The first game of the tour is in Sao Paulo on November 28 with the second match in Cuiaba on December 1. The Football Ferns recorded their first win over Brazil at the Valais Cup in Switzerland in 2013 before 1-1 and 0-0 draws in New Zealand last year. The other recent match-up was a 1-0 defeat to the South Americans at the 2012 London Olympics.