Player Spotlight: Ella Mei

Ella Mei won one of our Top 3 Camper Awards this summer for the Most Empathetic Leader! She continues to demonstrate every day what it means to be a role model & great teammate. Whether Ella Mei is checking in on her teammates well being, communicating on the field, or showing support when a teammate is struggling, she always puts her teammates first.

Your Soccer Story: What brought you to soccer and how old were you?

When I was 8 years old I moved from Brooklyn to San Francisco. I started soccer because most of my 3rd-grade classmates were on this fun team called Daniel Webster Owls. It was a good opportunity to make friends and I discovered a new hobby and a sport that I love. Now, most of the girls on that team are some of my closest friends.  

Favorite Position & Favorite female pro soccer player & why?

For 2 years, forward was my favorite position because I always wanted to be the one to shoot. But as I learned more and more about the jobs of every other position I began to grow more intrigued by them. I can play every position now, but my overall favorite would be midfielder because I can basically be defense and forward at the same time. 

What has soccer taught you about life?

Soccer has taught me so much about communication and teamwork. I've learned how important clear communication can be when you are in a soccer game or doing something at home. Teamwork is a quality I have learned because before I would always do things independently. Now I can rely on my teammates to have my back In any situation. Teamwork also shows a lot of responsibility and cooperation.  

Have you ever been or felt discriminated against on or off the soccer field because of your gender or race? What happened & how did you handle it?

I have felt like the boys' team throughout the years always thought they were the best and the girls' team didn't meet "their standards".

What do you think we need more of or less of right now in order to change the social injustices and racial inequality happening in the world?

I think more white men and women should step up and speak about the horrific injustice to the darker skin community. As they say: white silence=violence.

What does being part of Girls Leading Girls mean to you?

I have grown and become confident by being taught by talented female soccer instructors who inspire me to take risks and go for it.