Ellie (left) captains England in their win against Switzerland.
A talented Monmouth student captained England’s footballers to victory in Switzerland last week.
Fourteen-year-old central-defender Ellie (left) skippered the England Women’s FA Under-15s to a 2-0 triumph against Switzerland in Schaffhausen.
The Monmouth School for Girls’ pupil, a member of Bristol City Women Youth Academy, also played in the second half of England’s second game on the trip – a 3-1 success, also against Switzerland.
“It was a fantastic experience to captain England in our first game against Switzerland,” said Ellie.
“I was a bit nervous when I was named captain at the team announcement the day before the match but I became a lot more excited.
“It was a great honour to be chosen as captain. It was the first time I have played football overseas and in a professional stadium.
“I was delighted that my parents, Dave and Mima, were able to come and watch.”
Ellie’s five-day camp with England involved two UEFA International friendly fixtures and a boat trip to the Rhine Falls, the biggest waterfall in Europe.
The Year 10 Monmouth pupil made her debut for the England Women’s Under 15s team in a 1-1 draw with Scotland at St George’s Park in the autumn.
Ellie, who supports Arsenal, has also been picked for the Independent Schools Football Association Girls (ISFA) Under 16s National Representative Squad to face Kent Schools on Sunday 11th March.
She plays in central midfield for the ISFA team and was on the scoresheet in an emphatic 5-1 victory against Scotland in December.
The teenager cut her footballing teeth at Chepstow Garden City Girls and has attended national performance camps with the English FA over the last two years.
Ellie (wearing 6) lines up with her England team-mates.
Ellie’s long-term ambition is to play for the senior England Women’s team.
She eventually hopes to secure a sports scholarship to the USA and travelled to the country last summer to visit a university in Florida.
“I have been with Bristol City’s Academy for six years and this is the first year I have been chosen to play for England,” she said.
“I have had great support from Bristol City and I would not be playing for England without their help.
“I was very happy with the way I played out in Switzerland.
“The pitch was excellent and Switzerland were a very good side. The speed of the games were a lot faster than I had experienced before.
“The camp was an amazing and I loved everything about it.”
Mrs Alison Hutchings, Head of Year 10, says Monmouth School for Girls is proud of Ellie’s achievements both on and off the field.
“Ellie always receives glowing reports and Monmouth School for Girls is very proud of her and keen to support her sporting ambitions.
“The FA takes the educational success of its players very seriously and Ellie has to complete dedicated study sessions during her trips.”
