Les Elder (nee Ketu) started out playing rugby for Waikato in 2004. After a stint in netball Elder got back into rugby while living in Australia. She returned to New Zealand in 2013 and cracked the Black Ferns in 2015 after impressing on the field for Waikato. The natural leader came back from injury to make the winning Rugby World Cup side in 2017. After being in the Black Ferns leadership group, the open side flanker was named captain of the Black Ferns in 2019. Elder previously worked as a Rugby Development officer for Bay of Plenty Rugby.
