I’m Ella, and I’m the Community and Fan Engagement Manager at London City Lionesses. It’s an exciting and rewarding role that allows me to work with a wide range of people across the club and throughout our local community. No two days look the same: one day I might be running community football sessions or leading school assemblies, and the next I’m planning creative activations designed to make LCL matchdays the best in the league.

Youth leadership has shaped my journey so far. During university, I held several voluntary representative roles, and after graduating I became a Sabbatical Officer at the University of Leeds. In that role, I represented the student voice across all areas of student life, with a particular focus on activities and sport. It was a pivotal experience that opened my eyes to a career in sport- something I hadn’t previously considered. Youth leadership has a way of opening unexpected doors; during my time as a Sabb, I also became the student representative on the BUCS Board, a Team Leader with the Youth Sport Trust, and a participant in the BUCS x FA Women’s Leadership Programme. Each of these experiences helped shape the path that led me to where I am today.

Before joining London City Lionesses, I worked at Middlesex FA as the Facilities and Investment Officer, supporting the development of grass pitches and football facilities across the county. While it wasn’t my dream role, it was my first step into the football industry and gave me a solid grounding in the sector. I can pinpoint key skills I learned there that were instrumental in helping me progress into my current role.

Looking back at my journey, the network I’ve built, and the experiences I’ve embraced, my best advice for anyone aspiring to work in football is this: try new opportunities, say yes often, and put yourself out there. You never know which step will be the one that leads to the next big moment.