On International Women’s Day, Impetus announced the sponsorship of Adran Premier side Aberystwyth Town‘s young duo Ella Thomas and Modlen Gwynne. In the second in our series of interviews introducing our latest sponsored players, Ella Thomas answered Ben Gilby‘s questions (23/3/23).
Above: Ella Thomas (left) in action for Aberystwyth Town against Barry Town United in the Adran Premier. Photo: Steve Williams. Supplied to Impetus by: Aberystwyth Town Women.
Ella Thomas is on the crest of a footballing wave. With her career in its embryonic stages, she is juggling GCSE revision with playing in the top tier of Welsh club football with Aberystwyth Town.
Ella made a choice at the age of seven in terms of what she wanted to pursue, and has not looked back. “I gave up dance and started playing football for my local, all-girls team. I played up to 14 until I progressed enough to play for the Aberystwyth Town under 16s team where I found my position on the right wing.
“During my time with the under 16s I started working harder and focused on improving my fitness and speed, which led me further in my footballing journey to where I am now currently playing for the under 19s in Aberystwyth Town Women’s Football Club.”
Ella, who describes herself as “a right-footed winger with pace who likes to take on defenders,” has been blessed with having inspirational coaches from an early age.
“When I started playing football my local team coach, Kate Evans helped me develop my football skills from an early age whilst playing for Bow Street. My parents are also key people who have helped me develop as a player as they have taken me to my games and given me great advice and support over the years. After joining Aberystwyth Town Academy, Roy Tourle my present coach, and Gavin Allen, the first-team manager, have had a massive impact on my development, and I am extremely grateful!”
Coming so far at the age of 15 has not come without its challenges for Ella, as she revealed: “When coming into senior football this season, the physicality and tempo of the game have been the most challenging for me as a player.
“To overcome these challenges I have played more games and got used to the tempo. I have also started training with the first team which has helped me become stronger and has enabled me to see different strategies of the game.”
There is also the challenge of combining studying for forthcoming GCSE exams as well as playing U19 and senior football for Aberystwyth Town. It’s something that Ella admits is hard.
“I find it very difficult to balance my education with football, especially with my GCSEs in the next coming months. However, I try my best to balance them out and when I’m not playing I spend my time revising.”
The young winger is extremely grateful for Impetus‘ sponsorship and highlighted the benefits it provides her with. “I’m so pleased to be sponsored by Impetus for 2023/24. Sponsorship is so important to us as it means I don’t have to worry about finding the money to pay for things such as kit or a minibus to away games and can just concentrate on football.”
Whilst the sponsorship begins next season, Ella still has targets that she wants to achieve in the final weeks of this campaign. “My aims are to get more experience whilst training with the first team and to develop further as a player. I would love to become a regular in Aberystwyth Town Women’s first team.”
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