Michaela Robertson; a name synonymous with GOALS, speed, agility, determination, heart ... and did we mention goals?!
One of the most mesmerising players to have ever graced Newtown Park, today we look back at her journey to date, as she forges ahead with her dream of playing for the Football Ferns.
Almost 10 years ago, a very young Michaela (or Mickey as she is affectionately known) caught Guillermo Schiltenwolf's eye as part of the wider training squad for the Capital Women's Team. She was training at right back, and Guille could see that she possessed some very good raw skills and above all trained and played with heart.
Guille met her late Dad Tim at Word of Mouth Café and suggested that Michaela may be more suited to an attacking role. Tim agreed, and the rest as they say is history.
In 2013 Mickey debuted with the Diamonds and has never looked back. She is a versatile player; able to play in any attacking position including as a wing-back and really excels with space out wide and as a striker. In the last few seasons she has been playing more as an attacking mid which has further expanded her game and movements. She will often interchange between attacking roles during the game which makes it difficult for defenders to mark her; although even if she remained in one position she still proves very elusive! One of the hardest thing about marking Mickey is that it is almost impossible to go shoulder to shoulder with her. Her height actually works to her advantage causing players to be put off-balance by her blistering diagonal runs or forcing them to go all-in with desperate challenges as Mickey skips past them into space.
When we asked some of Mickey's team mates and coaches what makes her so valuable as a player, here is what they had to say:
Dutch players Suzanne GIESEN (PEC Zwolle & FC Twente) and Marije VAN DAM (PEC Zwolle) both described Mickey as "very dangerous when she has the ball", saying that "when she dribbles with the ball she always creates threats for her opponents". We absolutely agree! Mickey's off the mark pace with the ball and her control at full flight is second to none.
Futsal Fern Maxine Cooper said that it was hard to describe Mickey in just a sentence. She said "what makes Mickey stand out is her speed, agility and determination to win the ball and the game. She also has one of the most positive and exemplary attitudes of any player I've met".
Our Diamonds head coach and former Melbourne Victory W-League player describes Mickey as ""one of the hardest working players that she has ever seen. Her quick transitions are a huge asset to both her and any team that she plays in!"
There have been so many highlights over Michaela’s football career so far; here are just a few:
- Central League/W-League Podium Finishes: 3rd (2014), 2nd (2015), 1st (2016), 3rd (2017), 1st (2018) and 1st (2019)!!
- 2013 - Present | Capital Women’s Team
- 2015 | At just 18, Michaela spent 6 weeks training and playing with PEC Zwolle in the Netherlands.
- 2015 | Michaela made the New Zealand U20 side that competed in the World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Tonga where she scored in every single match to finish with 6 goals to her name and even more assists!
- 2016 | Michaela was named the Women’s Central League Golden Boot with 26 Goals!
- 2018 to Present | New Zealand Football Ferns Development Programme.
- 2019 | Probably the stat that truly says it all … Mickey notched up her 100th Wellington United goal in incredible fashion. She scored a first half quad to take her tally to 103 goals in her 103rd game!!!
- 2019 | Mickey was named in the Football Ferns Tour of China but was cruelly ruled out through injury.
- 2020 | Mickey became the first female to take part in the Wellington Phoenix Programme.
- 2020 | Mickey battled back from injury to be named in the Football Ferns Algarve Cup Squad.
Michaela is a very unique player, with a potent mix of skill, vision, agility, acceleration, anticipation, determination and heart. She is able to get to through balls that everybody else has written off, picks the pockets of defenders, she is not afraid to put in the hard yards, and she knows how to beat a keeper whether it be with her shot or her skill!
She is both a well-rounded and highly respected player and we wish her all the best as she pushes for a spot in the Football Ferns Squad for the 2020 Olympics - we would pick her that's for sure ;)
One of the most mesmerising players to have ever graced Newtown Park, today we look back at her journey to date, as she forges ahead with her dream of playing for the Football Ferns.
Almost 10 years ago, a very young Michaela (or Mickey as she is affectionately known) caught Guillermo Schiltenwolf's eye as part of the wider training squad for the Capital Women's Team. She was training at right back, and Guille could see that she possessed some very good raw skills and above all trained and played with heart.
Guille met her late Dad Tim at Word of Mouth Café and suggested that Michaela may be more suited to an attacking role. Tim agreed, and the rest as they say is history.
In 2013 Mickey debuted with the Diamonds and has never looked back. She is a versatile player; able to play in any attacking position including as a wing-back and really excels with space out wide and as a striker. In the last few seasons she has been playing more as an attacking mid which has further expanded her game and movements. She will often interchange between attacking roles during the game which makes it difficult for defenders to mark her; although even if she remained in one position she still proves very elusive! One of the hardest thing about marking Mickey is that it is almost impossible to go shoulder to shoulder with her. Her height actually works to her advantage causing players to be put off-balance by her blistering diagonal runs or forcing them to go all-in with desperate challenges as Mickey skips past them into space.
When we asked some of Mickey's team mates and coaches what makes her so valuable as a player, here is what they had to say:
Dutch players Suzanne GIESEN (PEC Zwolle & FC Twente) and Marije VAN DAM (PEC Zwolle) both described Mickey as "very dangerous when she has the ball", saying that "when she dribbles with the ball she always creates threats for her opponents". We absolutely agree! Mickey's off the mark pace with the ball and her control at full flight is second to none.
Futsal Fern Maxine Cooper said that it was hard to describe Mickey in just a sentence. She said "what makes Mickey stand out is her speed, agility and determination to win the ball and the game. She also has one of the most positive and exemplary attitudes of any player I've met".
Our Diamonds head coach and former Melbourne Victory W-League player describes Mickey as ""one of the hardest working players that she has ever seen. Her quick transitions are a huge asset to both her and any team that she plays in!"
There have been so many highlights over Michaela’s football career so far; here are just a few:
- Central League/W-League Podium Finishes: 3rd (2014), 2nd (2015), 1st (2016), 3rd (2017), 1st (2018) and 1st (2019)!!
- 2013 - Present | Capital Women’s Team
- 2015 | At just 18, Michaela spent 6 weeks training and playing with PEC Zwolle in the Netherlands.
- 2015 | Michaela made the New Zealand U20 side that competed in the World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Tonga where she scored in every single match to finish with 6 goals to her name and even more assists!
- 2016 | Michaela was named the Women’s Central League Golden Boot with 26 Goals!
- 2018 to Present | New Zealand Football Ferns Development Programme.
- 2019 | Probably the stat that truly says it all … Mickey notched up her 100th Wellington United goal in incredible fashion. She scored a first half quad to take her tally to 103 goals in her 103rd game!!!
- 2019 | Mickey was named in the Football Ferns Tour of China but was cruelly ruled out through injury.
- 2020 | Mickey became the first female to take part in the Wellington Phoenix Programme.
- 2020 | Mickey battled back from injury to be named in the Football Ferns Algarve Cup Squad.
Michaela is a very unique player, with a potent mix of skill, vision, agility, acceleration, anticipation, determination and heart. She is able to get to through balls that everybody else has written off, picks the pockets of defenders, she is not afraid to put in the hard yards, and she knows how to beat a keeper whether it be with her shot or her skill!
She is both a well-rounded and highly respected player and we wish her all the best as she pushes for a spot in the Football Ferns Squad for the 2020 Olympics - we would pick her that's for sure ;)
Mickey doing what she does best - Skipping through lines, committing defenders, beating keepers and finishing!
Photo Credit - Dave Webster and Michael Welsh!
Photo Credit - Dave Webster and Michael Welsh!
Update | If you truly set your mind to something you can achieve anything! Congratulations Michaela for being named in the 22 person Football Ferns squad for the Tokyo Olympics!
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