Mari Ward
Ward playing for Bristol City in 2023
Personal information
Date of birth (2006-01-03) 3 January 2006 (age 18)
Place of birth England
Position(s) Wing-back, midfielder
Team information
Current team
Bristol City
Number 14
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022– Bristol City 33 (0)
International career
2023 England U17 9 (1)
2023– England U19 5 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17 October 2024 [2]
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 20 October 2024 [1]

Mari Ward (born 3 January 2006) is an English professional footballer who plays as a wing-back and midfielder for Women's Championship club Bristol City and the England under-19 national team.

Early career

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Ward joined the Bristol City academy from Plymouth Argyle in the summer of 2022.[3]

Club career

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On 15 January 2023, Ward made her full debut for Bristol City against Coventry City in a 3–2 victory.[4]

On 3 January 2024, after more than 25 appearances,[5] she signed her first professional contract with Bristol City on her 18th birthday.[6]

International career

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Ward has represented England about under-17 and under-19 youth level.[1]

On May 20 2023, she scored her debut youth international goal against France in the 2023 UEFA Women's Under-17 Championship in a 1–1 draw,[7][8] having received a red card six days previously for denying a goal scoring opportunity in the opening match against Poland.[9][10] Ward also played in the semi-finals of the tournament, where the under-17s lost 3–1 to Spain.[11]

In October 2023 for 2024 UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship qualification, Ward featured as part of the starting eleven for round one wins against Wales and Czech Republic.[12][13]

Honours

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Bristol City

Individual

  • Bristol City Women Academy Player of the Year: 2023[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b Mari Ward at Flashscore.com
  2. ^ a b Mari Ward at Soccerway
  3. ^ a b "All the winners from the City awards dinner". Bristol City FC. 5 May 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  4. ^ "Report: Bristol City 3-2 Coventry United". Bristol City FC. 15 January 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  5. ^ Frith, Wilf (3 January 2024). "Bristol City Women's Mari Ward signs her first pro contract". She Kicks. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  6. ^ Dougherty, Noah (3 January 2024). "Ward pens professional contract". Bristol City FC. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  7. ^ Frith, Wilf (20 May 2023). "England draw with France at UEFA Women's U-17 Championship". She Kicks. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  8. ^ "France-England | Women's Under-17 2023". UEFA.com. 23 May 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  9. ^ Jamet, Sylvain (15 May 2023). "Arsenal youngster scores 2 as England beat Poland in u17 Euro opener". Daily Canon. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  10. ^ Frith, Wilf (14 May 2023). "Ten-player England Women U-17s start EURO Finals with win". She Kicks. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  11. ^ "Women's U17 European Championship: Spain score twice late on to beat England 3-1". BBC Sport. 23 May 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  12. ^ Veevers, Nicholas (27 October 2023). "Report: England WU19s 6-1 Wales". England Football. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
  13. ^ Smith, Frank (30 October 2023). "Report: England WU19s 1-0 Czechia". England Football. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
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