Clare Wheeler
{{Short description|Australian soccer player (born 1998)}}
{{Use Australian English|date=October 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2016}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Clare Wheeler
| image = Clare Wheeler Newcastle Jets(48781184692) (cropped).jpg
| caption = Wheeler with Newcastle Jets in 2018
| fullname = Clare May Wheeler{{cite web |url=https://fdp.fifa.org/assetspublic/ce93/pdf/SquadLists-English.pdf |title=FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 – Squad List: Australia (AUS) |publisher=FIFA |page=2 |date=11 July 2023 |access-date=11 July 2023}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1998|01|14}}{{cite web |title=Clare Wheeler |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/clare-wheeler/ |website=worldfootball.net |publisher=HEIM:SPIEL Medien GmbH & Co. KG |access-date=7 June 2024 |language=en}}
| birth_place = Coffs Harbour, Australia
| height = 1.62m
| position = Defensive midfielder{{cite news |last1=Pender |first1=Kieran |title='It's everything': Matildas midfielder Clare Wheeler dreaming of World Cup debut |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jun/17/matildas-midfielder-clare-wheeler-dreaming-of-world-cup-debut |website=The Guardian |date=17 June 2023 |access-date=25 February 2024}}
| currentclub = Everton
| clubnumber = 7
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 =
| years1 = 2013–2020
| clubs1 = Newcastle Jets
| caps1 = 67
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2020–2021
| clubs2 = Sydney FC
| caps2 = 12
| goals2 = 4
| years3 = 2021–2023
| clubs3 = Fortuna Hjørring
| caps3 = 21
| goals3 = 2
| years4 = 2022–2023
| clubs4 = → Everton (loan)
| caps4 = 4
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2023–
| clubs5 = Everton
| caps5 = 54
| goals5 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2015
| nationalteam1 = Australia U20
| nationalcaps1 = 10
| nationalgoals1 = 1
| nationalyears2 = 2021–
| nationalteam2 = Australia
| nationalcaps2 = 28
| nationalgoals2 = 2
| club-update = 17 May 2025
| nationalteam-update = 17 May 2025 (UTC)
}}
Clare May Wheeler (born 14 January 1998) is an Australian professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Women's Super League club Everton and the Australia national team. She has represented Australia on the under-20 team.{{cite web|last1=Kerry|first1=Craig|title=Jets girls out in force for new wave of Matildas|url=https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/3260917/jets-girls-out-in-force-for-new-wave-of-matildas/|publisher=Newcastle Herald|access-date=23 February 2017|date=5 August 2015|archive-date=17 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417232410/https://www.theherald.com.au/story/3260917/jets-girls-out-in-force-for-new-wave-of-matildas/|url-status=live}}
Early life
Wheeler began playing soccer at age ten for a local club, the Adamstown Rosebud.{{cite web|title=On the bench with Clare Wheeler|url=http://northernnswfootball.com.au/on-the-bench-with-clare-wheeler/|publisher=Northern NSW Football|accessdate=23 February 2017|date=25 January 2017}} At the age of 13, she was selected for the state youth league, Northern NSW. She was later selected for the Emerging Jets Program.
Club career
= Newcastle Jets =
In 2013 at the age of 15, Wheeler was selected to play for the Newcastle Jets for the 2013–14 Newcastle Jets W-League season.{{cite web|last1=Kerry|first1=Craig|title=Newcastle Jets products part of Young Matildas success run to under-19 Asian Cup|url=https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/4276098/jets-fly-high-as-young-matildas-win-cup-spot/|publisher=Newcastle Herald|access-date=23 February 2017|date=7 November 2016|archive-date=16 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816104734/http://www.theherald.com.au/story/4276098/jets-fly-high-as-young-matildas-win-cup-spot/|url-status=live}} She made six appearances for the club playing primarily as a defender.{{cite web|title=C. Wheeler|url=http://us.women.soccerway.com/players/clare-wheeler/325837/|publisher=SoccerWay|accessdate=23 February 2017}} The Jets finished in last place during the regular season with a {{Win–loss record|w=0|l=11|d=1}} record.{{cite web|title=2013/2014 W-League|url=http://us.women.soccerway.com/national/australia/w-league/20132014/regular-season/r22774/|publisher=Soccer Way|accessdate=23 February 2017}} During the 2014 season, Wheeler made five appearances. The Jets finished in fifth place with a {{Win–loss record|w=5|l=5|d=2}} record.{{cite web|title=2014-15 W-League|url=http://us.women.soccerway.com/national/australia/w-league/20142015/regular-season/r27203/|publisher=SoccerWay|accessdate=23 February 2017}}{{cite web|last1=Valentine|first1=Renee|title=Young Matildas set for take-off with Jets|url=http://www.newcastlestar.com.au/story/4224948/young-jets-ready-for-take-off/|publisher=Newcastle Star|accessdate=23 February 2017|date=16 October 2016}}
During the 2015-16 season, Wheeler made 11 appearances for the Jets. The club finished in sixth place with a {{Win–loss record|w=3|l=5|d=4}} record.{{cite web|title=2015-16 W-League|url=http://us.women.soccerway.com/national/australia/w-league/20152016/regular-season/r33200/|publisher=Soccer Way|accessdate=23 February 2017}} Returning to the Jets for the 2016-17 season, Wheeler made appearances in 11 of the 12 regular season matches. The Jets finished
the season in fifth place with a {{Win–loss record|w=4|l=5|d=3}} record.{{cite web|title=2016-17 W-League|url=http://us.women.soccerway.com/national/australia/w-league/20162017/regular-season/r38278/|publisher=Soccer Way|accessdate=23 February 2017}}
= Sydney FC =
= Fortuna Hjørring =
In June 2021, Wheeler left Australia to join Danish champions Fortuna Hjørring.{{cite web|url=https://thewomensgame.com/news/young-matildas-midfielder-seals-european-move-565863|title=Young Matildas midfielder seals European move|first=Catherine|last=Paquette|website=The Women's Game|date=11 June 2021}}
= Everton =
In August 2022, Wheeler was loaned to English club Everton.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/62605942|title=Clare Wheeler: Everton sign Australia midfielder on loan from Fortuna Hjorring|publisher=BBC Sport|date=19 August 2022}} In January 2023, at the end of her loan, she was signed by the club on a permanent basis.{{cite web|url=https://www.evertonfc.com/news/3015258/wheeler-completes-everton-transfer|title=Wheeler Completes Everton Transfer|publisher=Everton|date=10 January 2023}}
International career
In 2015, Wheeler was selected for the Young Matildas (under-20 national team) to compete at the 2015 AFC U-19 Women's Championship tournament in China.{{cite web|last1=Callinan|first1=Josh|title=Newcastle Jets selected in Young Matildas squad for Under-19 AFC Championship qualifiers in China|url=https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/4246421/young-matildas-team-for-newcastle-trifecta/|publisher=Newcastle Herald|access-date=23 February 2017|date=24 October 2016|archive-date=23 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223212546/http://www.theherald.com.au/story/4246421/young-matildas-team-for-newcastle-trifecta/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Young Matildas squad named for AFC U19 Championship|url=http://www.fourfourtwo.com/au/news/young-matildas-squad-named-afc-u19-championship|publisher=Four Four Two|accessdate=23 February 2017|date=6 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220140735/http://www.fourfourtwo.com/au/news/young-matildas-squad-named-afc-u19-championship|archive-date=20 December 2016|url-status=dead}}
In 2021, Wheeler made her debut for the senior team in a friendly against the Republic of Ireland.{{cite web|url=https://www.matildas.com.au/news/commbank-matildas-debuts-talented-trio|title=CommBank Matildas debuts for talented trio|first=Marissa|last=Lordanic|publisher=Football Australia|work=Matildas|date=22 September 2021}} Wheeler scored her first international goal for the Matildas against the Philippines in winning an Olympic qualifying match 8–0 in Perth on 29 October 2023.{{cite web |url=https://www.gsherald.com.au/sport/matildas/kerrr-azzy-sam-kerr-and-caitlin-foord-smash-hat-tricks-as-matildas-run-riot-against-the-phillipines-c-12367201 |title=Kerrr-azzy! Sam Kerr and Caitlin Foord smash hat tricks as Matildas run riot against the {{sic|Phil|lipines|hide=y}} |website=The West Australian |author=Santa Maria, Jake |date=29 October 2023 |via=National Library of Australia |archive-url=https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20231120143411/https://www.gsherald.com.au/sport/matildas/kerrr-azzy-sam-kerr-and-caitlin-foord-smash-hat-tricks-as-matildas-run-riot-against-the-phillipines-c-12367201 |archive-date=21 November 2023 |access-date=12 June 2025 }} Jake Santa Maria of The West Australian observed, "Wheeler, has scored perhaps the best of the lot. She allowed herself one touch on the edge of the box before swinging one home. It is her first goal as a Matilda."
On 4 June 2024, Wheeler was named in the Matildas team which qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympics, her debut Olympics selection.{{cite web|url=https://www.matildas.com.au/news/history-making-matildas-team-selected-paris-olympics|title=History making Matildas team selected for Paris Olympics|publisher=Football Australia|website=Matildas|date=4 June 2024}}
Personal life
Wheeler graduated high school with an ATAR of 90, and graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Commerce, and worked in financial assistance at Macquarie Group after completing her university studies.{{cite web |title=Kicking goals: Clare Wheeler on football and the future |url=https://www.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2023/08/07/kicking-goals-.html |website=The University of Sydney |access-date=25 February 2024}}
Since 2021, Wheeler has been in a relationship with Jeremy Ord.https://www.nowtolove.com.au/celebrity/matildas-players-partners/
Career statistics
= Club =
{{updated|match played 9 February 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://au.soccerway.com/players/clare-wheeler/325837/|work=Soccerway|publisher=Perform Group|accessdate=24 October 2021|title=Clare Wheeler}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | |||||||
| rowspan="2" |Club
! rowspan="2" |Season ! colspan="3" |League ! colspan="2" |National cup{{Efn|includes Danish Women's Cup, Women's FA Cup}} ! colspan="2"|League cup{{Efn|includes FA Women's League Cup}} ! colspan="2" |Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division
!Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals | |||||||
| rowspan="8" |Newcastle Jets
|6 | 0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2"|— | 6 | 0 | ||
| 2014–15
|A-League |5 | 0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | 5 | 0 | ||
| 2015–16
|A-League |11 | 0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | 11 | 0 | ||
| 2016–17
|A-League |11 | 0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | 11 | 0 | ||
| 2017–18
|A-League |11 | 0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | 11 | 0 | ||
| 2018–19
|A-League |12 | 0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | 12 | 0 | ||
| 2019–20
|A-League |11 | 0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | 11 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!67||0|| colspan="2" |—|| colspan="2" |—||67||0 | |||||||
| Sydney FC
|A-League |12 | 4 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— | 12 | 4 | ||
| Fortuna Hjørring
|21 | 2 | 5 | 0 | colspan="2" |— | 26 | 2 | |
| rowspan="4" |Everton
|17 |0 |1 |0 |3 |0 |21 |0 | |||||||
| 2023–24
|Women's Super League |22 |0 |3 |0 |4 |0 |29 |0 | |||||||
| 2024–25
|Women's Super League |13 |0 |1 |0 |1 |0 |15 |0 | |||||||
| colspan="2" |Total
!52 !0 !5 !0 !8 !0 !65 !0 | |||||||
| colspan="3" |Career total
!152 | 6 | 10 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 170 | 6 |
{{notelist}}
=International=
{{Updated|match played 29 October 2024}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year | ||
| National team
!Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| rowspan="4" |Australia
|2021 | 5 | 0 |
| 2022
|7 |0 | ||
| 2023
|6 |1 | ||
| 2024
|9 |1 | ||
| colspan="2" |Total||27||2 |
:Scores and results list Australia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Wheeler goal.
| class="wikitable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Clare Wheeler |
| scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date !scope="col"|Venue !scope="col"|Opponent !scope="col"|Score !scope="col"|Result !scope="col"|Competition |
|---|
| align=center|1
|29 October 2023 |Perth Stadium, Perth, Australia |{{fbw|PHI}} |align=center|8–0 |align=center|8–0 |
| align=center|2
|3 June 2024 |Stadium Australia, Sydney, Australia |{{fbw|CHN}} |align=center|1–0 |align=center| 2–0 |
References
{{reflist|30em}}
{{Everton F.C. (women) squad}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Australia squads
| bg = #FCD116
| fg = #008751
| bordercolor = #008751
| list1 =
{{Australia squad 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup}}
{{Australia squad 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup}}
{{Australia women's football squad 2024 Summer Olympics}}
}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Awards
| bg = gold
| fg = navy
| list =
{{Sydney FC (A-League Women) Player of the Year}}
{{2020–21 W-League PFA Team of the Season}}
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wheeler, Clare}}
Category:Australian women's soccer players
Category:Newcastle Jets FC (women) players
Category:Sydney FC (women) players
Category:Fortuna Hjørring players
Category:Everton F.C. (women) players
Category:Women's association football fullbacks
Category:Women's association football midfielders
Category:Sportspeople from Coffs Harbour
Category:Sportswomen from New South Wales
Category:Soccer players from New South Wales
Category:Australia women's international soccer players
Category:Australian expatriate sportspeople in England
Category:Australian expatriate sportspeople in Denmark
Category:Australian expatriate women's soccer players
Category:Expatriate women's footballers in Denmark
Category:Expatriate women's footballers in England
Category:Danish Women's League players
Category:2023 FIFA Women's World Cup players
Category:Footballers at the 2024 Summer Olympics