Macey Fraser: Age, Club Career and Olympic Story
The New Zealand midfielder rose through the Wellington Phoenix Academy, represented the Football Ferns at Paris 2024, and gained experience in the United States.
Introduction
Macey Fraser is a professional footballer from New Zealand. She plays as a midfielder for Wellington Phoenix in the A-League Women.
She is known for her creative passing, free-kick ability and fast rise from academy football to the senior Football Ferns team. Her career has already included a FIFA youth medal, a record A-League Women transfer, experience in the United States and an appearance at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
As of July 2026, Fraser is 24 years old. She wears the number 8 shirt for Wellington Phoenix and is under a three-year contract signed in September 2025.
Macey Fraser Quick Facts
| Information | Verified detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Macey Leigh Fraser |
| Date of birth | 11 July 2002 |
| Age | 24 years old as of July 2026 |
| Birthplace | Rangiora, New Zealand |
| Nationality | New Zealand |
| Profession | Professional footballer |
| Position | Midfielder |
| Height | 5 feet 4 inches |
| Current club | Wellington Phoenix |
| Shirt number | 8 |
| Former professional club | Utah Royals |
| National team | New Zealand Football Ferns |
| Major tournament | Paris 2024 Olympic Games |
| Youth achievement | 2018 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup bronze medal |
Fraser’s date of birth, birthplace, height and playing position are recorded by her former club, Utah Royals.
Who Is Macey Fraser?
Macey Fraser is a New Zealand midfielder who can play in both attacking and deeper positions.
She became widely known during her first professional A-League Women season with Wellington Phoenix. Her performances earned her a move to Utah Royals in the National Women’s Soccer League, often called the NWSL.
She later returned to Wellington Phoenix after spending two seasons in the United States.
Fraser is also recognised for representing New Zealand at youth, senior and Olympic levels.
Macey Fraser’s Age and Early Background
Macey Fraser was born on 11 July 2002 in Rangiora, a town in the Canterbury region of New Zealand.
She began playing football in Canterbury and developed her skills before joining the Wellington Phoenix system.
Fraser has said that she learned much of her football from playing with her brothers. Her family also supported her as she worked towards becoming a professional player.
She joined the Wellington Phoenix Academy in 2021 and became one of the first women accepted into the club’s academy programme.
The academy gave her a pathway from local football to the professional game. It also allowed her to work with specialist coaches and train in a more demanding environment.
Historic FIFA Youth Medal
Fraser gained international experience before beginning her senior professional career.
She represented New Zealand at the 2018 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Uruguay. New Zealand reached the third-place match and defeated Canada 2–1 to win the bronze medal.
Fraser started the medal match before being replaced during the second half. The result was historic because it was New Zealand’s first medal at a FIFA tournament.
Several players from that team later became senior professionals. One was Wellington Phoenix defender Mackenzie Barry, who also reached the Football Ferns and Paris Olympics.
Fraser later represented New Zealand at the 2022 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica.
First Professional Wellington Phoenix Contract
Wellington Phoenix gave Fraser her first professional contract in August 2023.
The three-year agreement was the longest contract signed by a women’s player during the early history of the Wellington Phoenix women’s team.
Fraser said that becoming a professional footballer had been one of her main goals when she entered the academy. She credited the academy’s coaches and staff for helping her improve as a player and as a person.
She entered the 2023–24 A-League Women season as a new professional but quickly became an important attacking player.
Breakthrough A-League Women Season
Fraser played 19 matches for Wellington Phoenix during the 2023–24 season. She started 18 games and completed 1,581 minutes on the field.
She scored three goals and supplied five assists. Her five assists were the highest total recorded by a Wellington Phoenix player that season.
Fraser scored her first professional goal in Wellington’s 3–0 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers. She also scored a memorable free kick against Western United.
Her first professional season showed that she could create chances, score from midfield and perform consistently at A-League Women level.
Record Move to Utah Royals
Utah Royals signed Fraser in April 2024.
The American club gave her a three-year contract with an option for a fourth season. The transfer fee was not publicly announced.
Wellington Phoenix described the deal as an A-Leagues transfer record. Fraser moved from New Zealand to the United States to compete in the NWSL, one of the leading professional women’s football competitions.
She made her NWSL debut on 25 May 2024 against Kansas City Current.
Fraser appeared nine times for Utah Royals across the 2024 and 2025 seasons. She made four starts and played 400 league minutes.
Her contract with the club ended by mutual agreement in September 2025.
Football Ferns Career
Fraser received her first senior Football Ferns opportunity during the qualification campaign for the Paris Olympics.
She entered the OFC Women’s Olympic Qualifier as an uncapped player and made her senior debut against Tonga in February 2024.
Fraser was named player of the match and later scored during the qualifying tournament. She had recorded five senior appearances by the time New Zealand announced its Olympic squad.
Her rise from academy football to the national team happened quickly. Within one season, she moved from making her professional debut to representing New Zealand in international football.
Readers interested in another important New Zealand forward can explore Hannah Wilkinson’s historic Football Ferns career.
Paris 2024 Olympic Games
Fraser was selected for New Zealand’s women’s football squad at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The selection was a major step in her career because she had made her senior international debut only a few months earlier.
She entered the Olympic tournament with five senior appearances for New Zealand. Fraser made her Olympic debut in the opening group match against Canada but had to leave the game because of an injury.
New Zealand also faced Colombia and host nation France during the group stage.
Her Olympic appearance added another major competition to a career that had already included FIFA under-17 and under-20 tournaments.
Return to Wellington Phoenix
Fraser returned to Wellington Phoenix in September 2025 after leaving Utah Royals.
She signed a new three-year contract and joined the team before the 2025–26 A-League Women season. Head coach Bev Priestman said Fraser could play higher up the pitch or in a deeper midfield position.
Fraser said she wanted regular football in a familiar environment. She also explained that winning a league title with Wellington Phoenix was one of her dreams.
She received the number 8 shirt after returning to the club. Her current position and team status can be checked through the official Wellington Phoenix player profile.
Wellington Phoenix Grand Final Appearance
The 2025–26 season became an important one for Wellington Phoenix.
The women’s team reached the A-League Women grand final for the first time in club history. Wellington faced Melbourne City at AAMI Park on 16 May 2026.
Fraser entered the match as a second-half substitute. In the 77th minute, she struck the crossbar with a free kick from a wide position.
Melbourne City won the final 3–1, but Wellington Phoenix completed the season as league runners-up.
The campaign gave Fraser experience in another major match and placed her inside one of the most successful Wellington Phoenix women’s squads.
Macey Fraser’s Playing Position
Fraser mainly plays as a midfielder.
She can perform in an attacking midfield role, where she creates chances close to the opposing goal. She can also move deeper to help her team control the ball and begin attacks.
Her main football qualities include:
- Creating chances for teammates
- Playing forward passes
- Taking free kicks
- Moving into attacking spaces
- Scoring from midfield
- Playing in more than one midfield role
Her three goals and five assists during her first professional season showed her ability to contribute directly to attacks.
Why Is Macey Fraser Famous?
Macey Fraser is famous for becoming one of New Zealand’s recognised young professional midfielders.
She is best known for:
- Winning bronze at the 2018 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup
- Developing through the Wellington Phoenix Academy
- Recording three goals and five assists in her first professional season
- Completing a record A-League Women transfer to Utah Royals
- Representing the Football Ferns
- Playing at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games
- Returning to Wellington Phoenix on a three-year contract
- Appearing in the 2026 A-League Women grand final
These achievements connect her career with several important moments in modern New Zealand women’s football.
Interesting Facts About Macey Fraser
- Fraser was one of the first women accepted into the Wellington Phoenix Academy.
- She won a FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup bronze medal at the age of 16.
- Her first professional Wellington Phoenix contract covered three seasons.
- She recorded five assists in her first A-League Women campaign.
- Utah Royals signed her after only one professional season.
- She made her senior New Zealand debut in February 2024.
- She reached the Olympic Games during the same year as her international debut.
- She has played professional club football in New Zealand and the United States.
- She returned to Wellington Phoenix in September 2025.
- She hit the crossbar with a free kick in the 2026 A-League Women grand final.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Macey Fraser?
Macey Fraser is 24 years old as of July 2026. She was born on 11 July 2002.
Where was Macey Fraser born?
She was born in Rangiora, New Zealand.
What nationality is Macey Fraser?
She is a New Zealand citizen and represents the country in international football.
What position does Macey Fraser play?
She plays as a midfielder. She can operate in attacking or deeper midfield positions.
Which club does Macey Fraser play for?
As of July 2026, she plays for Wellington Phoenix in the A-League Women.
What number does Macey Fraser wear?
She wears the number 8 shirt for Wellington Phoenix.
How tall is Macey Fraser?
Her official Utah Royals profile lists her height as 5 feet 4 inches, which is approximately 163 centimetres.
Did Macey Fraser play for Utah Royals?
Yes. She represented Utah Royals in the NWSL during the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
How many matches did she play for Utah Royals?
She made nine appearances across two seasons, including four starts.
Did Macey Fraser play at the Olympics?
Yes. She represented New Zealand at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
What was special about her Utah Royals transfer?
Wellington Phoenix described it as a record A-League Women transfer.
Is Macey Fraser still with Wellington Phoenix?
Yes. As of July 2026, she remains a Wellington Phoenix player under the three-year contract announced in September 2025.
Conclusion
Macey Fraser has progressed from football in Canterbury to professional and international competition.
Her journey includes a FIFA youth bronze medal, a successful first A-League Women season, a record transfer to the United States and an Olympic appearance for New Zealand.
After gaining NWSL experience with Utah Royals, she returned to Wellington Phoenix and became part of the squad that reached the 2026 A-League Women grand final.
As of July 2026, Fraser remains a Wellington Phoenix midfielder and an established New Zealand international footballer.
