The event, being held in New Zealand in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch has attracted 16 teams. It includes big guns Brazil, United States and Germany.
Elise (16), a year-12 pupil at Queens High School, is the only Otago member of the team.
There are only four other players from the South Island in the 20-strong squad.
‘‘It's exciting being the only one from Otago in the team,'' she said. ‘‘I'd made the squad before but had been dropped and wasn't confident of making it again.''
Elise was earmarked to make the team three years ago when she was in the New Zealand development squad, but this will be the first time she has represented New Zealand.
Elise was introduced to the sport by her father, Colin Gray, who represented New Zealand in age-group competitions.
She started playing at the age of 6 and is a midfielder in the Roslyn-Wakari premier team.
Elise has modelled her approach to the sport on that of New Zealand senior squad defender Maia Jackman.
‘‘I like her positive attitude and her personality,'' Elise said.
Elise is a versatile sportswoman and is also skilled at touch, volleyball, futsal, athletics and netball.
‘‘I had to put my foot down this year and stop Elise playing other sports in case she was injured,'' Maria Mamanu, her mother, said.
The New Zealand team went through a steep learning curve during a pre-World Cup tournament last January in Auckland against the United States, Germany and Australia.
Elise left for Canberra yesterday on a two-week trip that includes games against the Australian under-17 and under-20 teams.
New Zealand Football is unable to contribute to travel costs so each team member must pay her own way to overseas tournaments.
It could stop the New Zealand team from getting further match practice before the World Cup starts on October 28.
Elise must find $2000 for the tournament in Canberra.
She comes from a family that excels in sport. Her older sister, Moeroa, who lives in Raratonga, has represented the Cook Islands in netball, squash and tennis.
Maria, her mother, played for Otago at netball in the 1980s and for Otago at rugby in 1992.
Mamanu Mamanu, her uncle, was a premier rugby player for the Ravensbourne and Harbour clubs and is now a talented bowler with the West Harbour club.
