Ferns winger Manaia Elliott earns contract upgrade with Wellington Phoenix

Football Fern Manaia Elliott has been upgraded to a full contract with the Wellington Phoenix for the remainder of the women’s A-League, and beyond.

The young winger has made 12 appearances for the Phoenix in her maiden Liberty A-League season, and memorably scored and assisted in Wellington’s 3-0 win over Western Sydney Wanderers in round two in October.

Elliott (18) signed a three-year contract with the Phoenix in August, with the first two years on scholarship terms.

She was automatically upgraded to a full contract for the remainder of this season when she made her 11th appearance for the Nix in the 2-0 win over Canberra United last month.

In recognition of her performances, the club has also promoted Elliott to a full-time deal for the 2024-25 A-League.

Interview with Manaia Elliott

Manaia Elliott has already been recognised by the national teams at all levels.

Elliott captained the Young Football Ferns at the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in India, and led New Zealand to an eighth OFC U-19 Women’s Championship title last year before being called up to the Football Ferns for their internationals in Colombia in December.

She is expected to be a key member of the New Zealand side at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in France in August.

READ MORE: From boys’ football to the Ferns in a year — the rapid rise of winger Manaia Elliott >>>>

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This story is published with the help of the Wellington Phoenix.

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