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.
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.
