Manu’a Announces Retirement

New Zealand-born Kristiana Manu’a has announced her retirement from elite netball after an illustrious 11-year career.

With experience spanning across Australia and New Zealand, Manu’a has left her mark on netball worldwide, playing more than 100 National League matches across the ANZ Championship, ANZ Premiership and Suncorp Super Netball.

Manua’a is no stranger to the international stage, debuting for the Australian Diamonds in 2016 and for the Samoa Tifa Moana 2023, as well as being part of the New Zealand Silver Ferns Development Squad in 2022.

The defender started her career across the ditch, playing for the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic, before returning to Australia to become a Foundation player at GIANTS Netball, where she served as a Vice Captain during her five-year tenure with the team.

She departed the GIANTS at the end of the 2021 season to join the Wellington-based Central Pulse in New Zealand’s ANZ Premiership, helping lead the team to the league title in 2022.

In 2024, Manu’a joined the brand-new Melbourne Mavericks side as an inaugural squad member before signings with Lightning as a Permanent Replacement Player for the 2025 season.

Manu’a reflected on her career and said the time was right to step away from netball at the elite level.

“As an 18-year-old 11 years ago, I decided to make netball my life and chase a dream that was once out of reach,” she said.

“After 128 national league games, two Diamonds caps and Captaining my nation, Samoa, I’ve made the decision to close my netball chapter.

“After over a decade of playing elite netball, it felt like the right time to enjoy some much overdue time with my partner and family.

“I am in debt to everyone that’s contributed to my career and I will always look back with pride that I’ve achieved what I have.

“Thank you to Sunshine Coast Lightning for embracing me this past year and giving me the opportunity to live out my dream one last time. Forever grateful to be Lightning player #35.”

Sunshine Coast Lightning Head Coach Belinda Reynolds praised Manu’a for her incredible career.

“Kris is a fantastic player, teammate and person. She’s had an amazing career spanning across Australia and New Zealand, and of course her international experience with both the Diamonds and Samoa,” she said.

“It’s been a joy to have Kris in the Lightning environment this last season and to see the impact she’s had on each and every player both out on court and off it.

“The netball world will miss her, but I wish nothing but the best for Kris in the next phase of her life.”

Manu’a’s retirement was recognised at Lightning’s recent A Night with Lightning awards night, where players, staff and members celebrated the defender’s incredible career.