Mari Ward

Mari Bee 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.

Mari Ward

Ward playing for Bristol City in 2023
Personal information
Full name	Mari Bee Ward[1]
Date of birth	(2006-01-03) 3 January 2006 (age 19)
Place of birth	England
Position(s)	Wing-back, midfielder
Team information
Current team	Bristol City
Number	14
Youth career
2022	Bristol City
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2021–2022	Plymouth Argyle	10	(3)
2022–	Bristol City	36	(2)
International career‡
2023	England U17	9	(1)
2023–	England U19	6	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 24 November 2024 [2] ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 28 October 2024 [3]

Early career

Ward joined the Bristol City academy from Plymouth Argyle in the summer of 2022.^[4] She scored three goals in ten matches for Plymouth at senior level in the National League,^[1] followed by five goals in twelve appearances for Bristol City Reserves, prior to joining the first team in 2023.^[5]

Club career

On 15 January 2023, Ward made her full debut for Bristol City against Coventry City in a 3–2 victory.^[6]

On 3 January 2024, after more than 25 appearances,^[7] she signed her first professional contract with Bristol City on her 18th birthday.^[8]

On 3 November 2024, Ward scored her debut Women's Championship goal against Sunderland, taking the lead for Bristol City in a 4–3 win.^[9] She scored her second goal a week later to take the lead against Newcastle United in a 2–0 victory,^[10] and was described as the player of the match by SportsByte.^[11]

International career

Ward has represented England about under-17 and under-19 youth level.^[3]

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,^[12][13] having received a red card six days previously for denying a goal scoring opportunity in the opening match against Poland.^[14][15] Ward also played in the semi-finals of the tournament, where the under-17s lost 3–1 to Spain.^[16]

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.^[17][18]

Honours

Bristol City

• Women's Championship: 2022–23^[2]

Individual

• Bristol City Women Academy Player of the Year: 2023^[4]

References

1. "Plymouth Argyle | The FA Women's National League". The FA. Archived from the original on 23 March 2023. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
2. Mari Ward at Soccerway
3. Mari Ward at Flashscore.com
4. "All the winners from the City awards dinner". Bristol City FC. 5 May 2023. Archived from the original on 6 May 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
5. "Bristol City Women Reserves | Professional Game Academy League". The FA. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
6. "Report: Bristol City 3-2 Coventry United". Bristol City FC. 15 January 2023. Archived from the original on 15 January 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
7. Frith, Wilf (3 January 2024). "Bristol City Women's Mari Ward signs her first pro contract". She Kicks. Archived from the original on 16 July 2024. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
8. Dougherty, Noah (3 January 2024). "Ward pens professional contract". Bristol City FC. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
9. Twydale, Jack (3 November 2024). "Sunderland edge seven-goal thriller against Bristol City". WSL Full-Time. Archived from the original on 4 December 2024. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
10. "Taking flight to watch Newcastle United Women's team but the Robins swoop to take the points". The Mag. 12 November 2024. Archived from the original on 2 December 2024. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
11. Whalen, Molly (12 November 2024). "Match Report: Bristol City Women 2-0 Newcastle United Women". SportsByte. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
12. Frith, Wilf (20 May 2023). "England draw with France at UEFA Women's U-17 Championship". She Kicks. Archived from the original on 22 May 2024. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
13. "France-England | Women's Under-17 2023". UEFA.com. 23 May 2023. Archived from the original on 15 August 2024. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
14. Jamet, Sylvain (15 May 2023). "Arsenal youngster scores 2 as England beat Poland in u17 Euro opener". Daily Canon. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
15. Frith, Wilf (14 May 2023). "Ten-player England Women U-17s start EURO Finals with win". She Kicks. Archived from the original on 8 July 2024. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
16. "Women's U17 European Championship: Spain score twice late on to beat England 3-1". BBC Sport. 23 May 2023. Archived from the original on 1 August 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
17. Veevers, Nicholas (27 October 2023). "Report: England WU19s 6-1 Wales". England Football. Archived from the original on 16 February 2024. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
18. Smith, Frank (30 October 2023). "Report: England WU19s 1-0 Czechia". England Football. Archived from the original on 20 July 2024. Retrieved 22 October 2024.

External links

• Mari Ward at Bristol City F.C.
• Mari Ward at Soccerway
• Mari Ward at Flashscore.com