The Wellington Phoenix have re-signed another integral member of the women’s history-making side.
Academy graduate Manaia Elliott has signed on for a fourth A-League season with the Phoenix, having made 62 appearances for the club over the past three years.
The Football Ferns wingback featured in all 23 matches during the team’s record-breaking 2025-26 campaign.
She started 16 games, including the grand final in May, scoring three goals and registering four assists.
Phoenix head coach Bev Priestman is delighted to have secured Elliott’s signature for another year.
“Manaia was key to the success we had last season.” Priestman said. “She contributed with goals and assists and with Football Ferns’ experience she was someone that we wanted to retain.
“The club is invested in players who have come through our academy and Manaia is a great example of the pathway we have at the Phoenix.
“We also want to do everything we can to make sure she gets on the plane to Brazil for next year’s World Cup.”
Manaia Elliott feels she has unfinished business in Wellington.
“Last season was amazing going as far as we went, but everyone feels that sense that we’ve still got one more thing to tick off,” Elliott said.
“I definitely want to come back and do one better with the team and win the league.
“We’re still over a month away from starting pre-season but I think everyone’s already talking about how this team is going to go one step better.
“Every year that I’ve been with the club it’s more and more learnings and more and more growth.
“The most important thing for me is to keep enjoying my football, and I love my football at the Phoenix.”
Elliott also loved playing as a wingback in Priestman’s side.
“It was pretty cool learning a new role like that under Bev and she really taught me a lot.
“Wingback was challenging. It’s quite high demand and requires a lot of running.
“But working is probably the part of the game I love the most so as much as I can do, I’ll do it.”
Having Priestman continue as head coach played a role in her staying put less than 12 months out from the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027.
“A lot of my decisions have been made with an eye to the World Cup.
“I think I needed some stability and knowing what I’m going to get under Bev is really promising.
“She’s so player first orientated and I think that’s so important going into a World Cup year. If I make the World Cup or not, I think I’ll grow a lot under her.”
Manaia Elliott is the 15th women’s player contracted to the Wellington Phoenix for the 2026-27 A-League season, with further squad announcements to follow in the coming weeks.
