While in Paris supporting the All Blacks and her father Ian Foster at the Rugby World Cup, Wellington Phoenix defender Michaela Foster and mother Leigh were confronted by a knife-wielding man but were luckily able to escape to their accommodation without being harmed.
Michaela has opened up for the first time about the incident in a recent interview with Kimberlee Downs on SENZ’s The Run Home.
“Obviously it’s not the nicest situation to be in – we had just finished a really awesome day in Paris, (it was) one of our first days actually getting there,” Foster said.
“We were ok, honestly, and the situation didn’t escalate to anything more – we were able to play it out safely and able to get home without being robbed or touched. It’s not a nice thing to go through for anyone, but me and my Mum handled it quite well and (we're) happy to come away from it unscathed.”
The incident did not put a dampener on the French experience for the Foster family while they stayed and supported outgoing All Blacks coach Ian Foster in his final tournament with the national team.
“It’s quite cool to finally have him home and (I’m) extremely proud of what he’s accomplished – not only the tournament, but the last four years, it was an amazing finish.”
Since returning to New Zealand, Ian alongside his wife can now focus on enjoying daughter Michaela’s professional football career take flight as the Phoenix continue what has been an impressive start to the 2023-24 Liberty A-League season.
“It’s only been twelve months of professional sport for me – it’s been an uphill path, I’m excited to see where it keeps leading and I know this is only the start for me, especially with professional sport and into the Football Ferns,” Foster said.
“I can be proud of myself – but my family have been there for the full journey. It’s been cool to have them in the crowd, I can feel their support and how proud they are too.”
Spotted by Sky Sport’s cameras at Jerry Collins Stadium during Sunday’s 3-1 win over Western United, plenty more proud parent moments lay ahead for the pair.
Nix 3-0 up at 80min, means shirts off in the Fever zone!
— SimonM 🏴🇪🇺🇳🇿🏳️🌈 (@gingereejit) November 12, 2023
A very healthy crowd 1746 pic.twitter.com/Wp67dSuIKQ
In 2022-23, Wellington finished bottom of the table with three wins in 18 matches, one point behind the Newcastle Jets to maintain the wooden spoon from their inaugural campaign the previous year.
But under new coach Paul Temple, the Nix are growing from strength to strength in their season and turning heads in the process.
In just four matches, they have already reached the three-win mark by playing an entertaining brand of football that has the potential to keep the spark going for women’s football in New Zealand that was ignited by the recent FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“The style of play we’re trying is new to us, as well as the A League – I don’t think many other teams are playing the style of football we’re trying. It’s working for us at the moment, not everything is clicking for us but things are starting to happen which is really exciting on the field,” Foster explained.
The Phoenix travel to New South Wales to face the Central Coast Mariners this Saturday.
Listen to the full interview with SENZ The Run Home below: