Wellington Phoenix defender Ella McMillan is taking on a new role outside of her Ninja A-League playing commitments, joining the club’s academy staff in 2025.
In her first professional season with the Phoenix, McMillan has been appointed the academy’s youth female sport scientist as the 19-year-old juggles her blossoming football career.
McMillan, who made her A-Leagues debut last season but signed a two-year scholarship deal in August, recently completed her Bachelor of Sport, Exercise and Health degree at Auckland University of Technology, majoring in sport and exercise science.
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“It’s going to be hectic but I’m really looking forward to it,” McMillan said.
“It’ll be good to be able to focus entirely on these two key aspects of my life and help the next generation step into the space that I’m in at the moment.
“I know the ins and outs of the club from a player perspective and I’m hoping to be able to use that knowledge to be able to help them become the best players possible.”
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As part of her studies in 2024, McMillan completed a 350-hour placement as the Phoenix academy, working alongside head of female sport science Issy Coombes.
McMillan, who has played twice this season, added: “Issy’s amazing and so good at her job. To be able to work alongside her and learn off her is really exciting.
“I’ve had her as my sport scientist for so many years now. We go back to when I was living in Hamilton before I even moved down to join the academy.
“A female sport scientist is not something you come across every day so super grateful for Issy and all of the help she’s given me through my Phoenix journey, but also the New Zealand Football side of things as well.
“She’s helped me grow so much as an individual and I want to be able to do that with other players as well. To be able to learn off her will be really beneficial for me.”
