Manaia Elliott

Manaia Elliott was one of the women’s four scholarship players for the 2023-24 A-League after signing a three year contract with the Wellington Phoenix.

The winger joined the Phoenix academy from Melville United AFC in Hamilton at the start of 2022, with her parents following her to the capital soon after.

Elliott captained the Young Football Ferns at the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in India, starting all three of their group matches.

Elliott was also a key part of the women’s reserves side in 2023 and led New Zealand to an eighth OFC U-19 Women’s Championship title in July 2022.

She was a regular contributor to the Wellington Phoenix during her first season in senior football, featuring in 16 matches and starting six.

Elliott scored her first professional goal against Western Sydney in round two, coming off the bench and making a mark with an assist as well.

She was upgraded to a full contract before the end of the season.

Elliott was named captain of the Junior Football Ferns side for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia, where she played all three of New Zealand’s group matches and scored against Ghana.

> 2024-25 season

Manaia Elliott featured in all 23 of the women’s matches in her second pro season, making 14 starts.

Elliott finished as the team’s second top goal scorer, finding the back of the net four times.

She scored a brace against Newcastle Jets in January, including a stoppage time Olimpico to secure the Phoenix a dramatic 3-2 come-from-behind win.

Elliott made her debut for the Football Ferns in the first of two internationals against Costa Rica in February and she featured in both of New Zealand’s matches against Venezuela at the start of June.