Ela Jerez

DOB 6/12/07

Ela Jerez is the youngest member of the women’s squad having signed a two-year scholarship contract with the Wellington Phoenix as a 16-year-old.

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

The attacking midfielder moved to Wellington at the start of 2024 to join the academy.

Jerez has already represented New Zealand at U-16 and U-17 level.

> 2023-24 season

Ela Jerez started the season by scoring the match-winning goal to lead Western Springs to their second Kate Sheppard Cup title in September.

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

Upon her return home, Jerez re-joined Western Springs for the 2023 National League. They finished fourth, narrowly missing out on a place in the final.

She moved to Wellington at the start of 2024 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 scored two goals, including one on debut for the reserves in April.

She was named in the New Zealand squad for the 2024 U-17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic.