Ela Jerez

Ela Jerez signed a two-year scholarship contract with the Wellington Phoenix as a 16-year-old in August 2024.

Originally from Whangārei, Jerez played for Onerahi FC and Northland FC before joining Western Springs in Auckland.

The attacking midfielder scored the match-winning goal to lead Western Springs to their second Kate Sheppard Cup title in 2023.

Jerez then went to Tahiti where she helped New Zealand dominate the OFC U-16 Women’s Championship, scoring 50 goals and conceding just one.

She moved to Wellington at the start of 2024 to join the academy and quickly established herself as a key member of the Phoenix women’s reserves side in the U-15 mixed capital development league and the Kate Sheppard Cup.

Jerez was named in the New Zealand squad for the 2024 U-17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic and started all three of the Young Football Ferns’ group matches.

> 2024-25 season

Ela Jerez made her first team debut as a second half substitute in round 15 when the Phoenix drew 1-1 with Melbourne Victory at Porirua Park.

Jerez made a further two appearances off the bench in the A-League before rejoining the women’s reserves for their 2025 season.