Science for Sport Podcast 285: Ellie Wilson: Inside the High-Performance World of Women’s Football
This week, host Richard Graves is joined by Ellie Wilson, a professional footballer who has played for Reading, Bristol City, Sheffield United, Wolves, and most recently Melbourne Victory in Australia’s A-League Women.
Ellie opens up about her journey through elite football, from being rejected by academies as a young player, to representing England U19s, U20s and U23s, battling an ACL injury, and helping Melbourne Victory break club records this season.
This is a powerful conversation for anyone working in or around sports science, performance support, and high-performance teams who wants to understand the real challenges athletes face behind the scenes — and how the right environment can shape success.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
How the infrastructure and support systems in women’s football are evolving — and where they still need to catch up.
The physical and psychological demands on female athletes during adolescence and how clubs can better support them.
How Ellie navigated a 13-month ACL rehab and what it taught her about athlete wellbeing and return-to-play planning.
Why preparing for life beyond football is vital, and how her sports science degree and S&C studies helped her do that.
What it’s like to be part of a team that breaks records but misses out on silverware, and how to process that experience.
How penalty shootouts are prepared for and the role of psychology in those high-pressure moments.
Practical advice for coaches, practitioners, and parents supporting the next generation of female players.
About Ellie Wilson
Ellie Wilson is a professional footballer currently playing for Melbourne Victory. She has previously played for Reading, Bristol City, Sheffield United, and Wolves, and has represented England at U19, U20 and U23 levels, playing alongside stars like Leah Williamson and Alessia Russo.
Ellie holds a degree in sports science and is studying towards an advanced strength and conditioning qualification, showing her commitment to both performance on the pitch and life beyond it.
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