No limits for local soccer star

River Park South

Crescentwood

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 10/07/2024 (754 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Ella Santarsieri has the world at her feet.

With an impressive sporting resumé and a growing list of accolades, the River Park South resident is excited about her soccer future, not least because she’s committed to the University of British Columbia to further her education and play the game she loves when she graduates from St. Mary’s Academy next year.

This year, the 16-year-old midfielder was invited to train with coach Joey Lombardi at the Ontario National Development Centre, where she’s a part-time player. She’ll be attending upcoming trips such as NCAA top university tours, showcases, and tournaments, as well as multiple training events with the team.

In 2022, Ella was a member of the 1v1 Futbol Dreams Academy team that won the national U15 girls’ championship, winning the golden boot as the tournament’s top soccer with seven goals in four games.

Ella’s father, Pino, credits her success, in part, to her incredible work ethic — she’s also an honour roll student at St. Mary’s. She played for Bonivital Soccer Club, between 2016 and 2020.

“I’m a proud dad. I love soccer so much, and I love seeing Ella’s passion, and I love that she’s in an academy that truly believes in the person and the player,” Pino said, noting she also plays for FC Manitoba.

Ella, who is five-foot-five, said being to invited to train at the national development centre was a memorable experience: “It was awesome, such a good feeling.”

“This is an exciting time,” Ella said, noting that her favourite team is Juventus, which plays in Italy’s Serie A. “There are lots of big things coming up.”

She said another big highlight of her career was taking part in an Argentina exhibition series last year, which included a game against the U17 Argentina national team.

As an attacking midfielder, Ella plays in a relatively specialized position that gives her the chance to be a two-pronged threat in the opponent’s half of the pitch. She’s also become something of a dead ball/set-piece specialist, putting in crosses and passes to players in scoring positions.

“I really like that I can be involved in both areas — assisting and scoring,” she said. “I can assist people and put the ball through for them, giving me the freedom to move and attack more.”

Ella said her coach at 1v1 Futbol Dreams Academy, Nano Romero, has been a huge influence.

“Nano has been a very big part of my soccer life,” she said.

Romero, who also grew up playing for Bonivital and was also involved with the U20 Chilean national team, said Ella is a special player who could go far in the game, potentially even at the U20 national level.

“She’s technically very gifted, and she can score. Her finishing sets her apart from most players,” Romero said. “She enjoys putting herself in environments where she can flourish.”

“Ella’s finishing touch will set her apart at university level. And her work ethic is second to none.”

Another coach who influenced Ella’s early development is Rob Gale, the former head coach of her Bonivital U9 team — essentially her first coach. Gale has coached Canadian national youth teams, was the first head coach and general manager of Valour FC of the Canadian Premier League and is currently the interim head coach of Portland Thorns of the National Women’s Soccer League — the club team of Canadian stars Janine Beckie, Jessie Fleming and Christine Sinclair.

“I have had the pleasure to know Ella for the past 10 years and (have seen) her grow and develop her game,” Gale said in an email. “What stands her out is her commitment to constant improvement and desire to master the ball technically every day. She shows that any player from Manitoba can challenge themselves to be better every day and aspire to reach the highest levels of the game.

“I look forward to continue to monitor her game and development and see just how far her ability and desire can take her — there is no limit for her, as she sets herself no limit.”