Player Felila Kia

[mt.wellington]

Felila Kia

​

Felila Kia (born 29 December 2003) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer. She previously played for the Newcastle Knights in the NRL Women's Premiership. Her positions are second-row and centre.

Born in Brisbane, Queensland, Kia played her junior rugby league for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls. She is a former Queensland and Australian champion discus thrower, where she was ranked number one in the world at the age of 16.

In 2022, Kia played for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in the QRL Women's Premiership. She also gained selection for the women's Queensland under-19s State of Origin squad.

In May, she signed a 2-year contract with the Newcastle Knights. In round 4 of the 2023 NRLW season, she made her NRLW debut for the Knights against the Gold Coast Titans. She parted ways with the club at the end of the season.

In December 2024, Kia signed with the NZ Warriors.

Felila Kia on her signing​

“After taking a year off playing footy due to personal reasons, I realised at the beginning of the year I wanted to play again. Being on the sideline and watching all my footy friends succeeding – and although I’m so proud of them – it did give me itchy feet.
“I hadn’t voiced my feelings about wanting to play to anyone, I just took it to God and had faith in his plan for me.
“Then unexpectedly in August, Pete Brown (my player agent) told me Ronald was interested in signing me with the Warriors for 2025 and from then on I have been training harder than I have before. There are no words that can explain how excited I am for this new opportunity.
“When Ronald first hit up my manager, I honestly didn’t believe it. Since I broke my 2024 contact with Knights due to personal reasons, I honestly thought that was it for me in the NRLW setting. Once I had a chat with Ronald it made me pretty teary knowing how much he cares for and backs me as a player and a person off the field.
“To be given another chance to make my family proud, represent my culture and showcase my skill is an unreal feeling.
“I am super excited for this new step in life; it is going to be a bit challenging being away from my family but I have a really good support system and Ronald has already spoken about how he will support all the relocated players. My manager is based in New Zealand, too, and he is very supportive so I know I’ve got this.
“Ronald and I have spoken quite a bit throughout my journey with the Knights. We’ve mainly spoken about me going to New Zealand fit and strong and to simply trust the process.
“Since having a year off footy I know the 2025 season is going to hit different. This one is personal and I can’t wait to have a hit out with the Warriors and show what I can do. I know what to expect and I’m ready for the challenge.”

Profile | Felila Kia​

Born: December 29, 2003
Birthplace: Brisbane (Qld)
Clubs: Wynnum Manly Seagulls, Gold Coast Titans
Position: Second row
Height: 176cm
Weight: 98kg
NRLW debut: Newcastle Knights v Gold Coast Titans, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle, August 13, 2023 (Rd 4)
NRLW clubs: Newcastle Knights (2023)
NRLW appearances: 3 (2023)
NRLW points: 0
Representative honours: Track and field | Australia under-20 representative (Oceania Athletic Championships). Rugby union | Queensland Academy of Sport 7s. Rugby league | Queensland 19s State of Origin

 

[mt.wellington]

Six players added to NRLW squad​

Richard Becht
Fri 20 Dec 2024, 01:56 pm

Former NRLW players Emily Curtain and Felila Kia are among six more players confirmed today in the One New Zealand Warriors’ 2025 squad.

Sydney-born halfback Curtain has made nine appearances for the Parramatta Eels and the Wests Tigers while Brisbane-raised second rower Felila Kia had three games for the Newcastle Knights in 2023..

Joining them in the squad are three Cook Islands Moana internationals Lavinia Kitai, Lydia Turua-Quedley and Kaiyah Atai along with Wellington-raised forward Maarire Puketapu, who has played in the Queensland women’s premiership.

With 11 signings confirmed this week, there are now 22 spots filled in the Warriors’ roster while head coach Ronald Griffiths has also confirmed 18-year-old halfback Danii Gray as the first player signed on a development contract.
After Michaela Blyde’s signing on Tuesday and four more players locked in yesterday, he’s excited about the qualities today’s six signed players will bring to the squad.

The 20-year-old Kia was with the Knights when Griffiths coached them to back-to-back NRLW titles in 2022 and 2023. While she has a background in both rugby league and rugby union, she’s also a former champion discus thrower.

“Felila is a powerful back rower who I was fortunate enough to see make her debut at Newcastle (in 2023),” said Griffiths.

“After discussions with her she now has an understanding of what’s required to play consistent football in the NRLW. With the right mindset she has the potential to have an immediate impact for the club in 2025.”

Felila Kia on her signing​

“After taking a year off playing footy due to personal reasons, I realised at the beginning of the year I wanted to play again. Being on the sideline and watching all my footy friends succeeding – and although I’m so proud of them – it did give me itchy feet.
“I hadn’t voiced my feelings about wanting to play to anyone, I just took it to God and had faith in his plan for me.
“Then unexpectedly in August, Pete Brown (my player agent) told me Ronald was interested in signing me with the Warriors for 2025 and from then on I have been training harder than I have before. There are no words that can explain how excited I am for this new opportunity.
“When Ronald first hit up my manager, I honestly didn’t believe it. Since I broke my 2024 contact with Knights due to personal reasons, I honestly thought that was it for me in the NRLW setting. Once I had a chat with Ronald it made me pretty teary knowing how much he cares for and backs me as a player and a person off the field.
“To be given another chance to make my family proud, represent my culture and showcase my skill is an unreal feeling.
“I am super excited for this new step in life; it is going to be a bit challenging being away from my family but I have a really good support system and Ronald has already spoken about how he will support all the relocated players. My manager is based in New Zealand, too, and he is very supportive so I know I’ve got this.
“Ronald and I have spoken quite a bit throughout my journey with the Knights. We’ve mainly spoken about me going to New Zealand fit and strong and to simply trust the process.
“Since having a year off footy I know the 2025 season is going to hit different. This one is personal and I can’t wait to have a hit out with the Warriors and show what I can do. I know what to expect and I’m ready for the challenge.”

Profile | Felila Kia​

Born: December 29, 2003
Birthplace: Brisbane (Qld)
Clubs: Wynnum Manly Seagulls, Gold Coast Titans
Position: Second row
Height: 176cm
Weight: 98kg
NRLW debut: Newcastle Knights v Gold Coast Titans, McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle, August 13, 2023 (Rd 4)
NRLW clubs: Newcastle Knights (2023)
NRLW appearances: 3 (2023)
NRLW points: 0
Representative honours: Track and field | Australia under-20 representative (Oceania Athletic Championships). Rugby union | Queensland Academy of Sport 7s. Rugby league | Queensland 19s State of Origin

Six players added to NRLW squad

Former NRLW players Emily Curtain and Felila Kia among players added to Warriors' squad.

www.warriors.kiwi

*article abridged to contain player relevant information.