Ben Gilby continues his series profiling our Glory A-League Women’s squad with a feature on versatile midfielder Ella Abdul Massih…
18-year-old Ella Abdul Massih has crammed a lot into her short career as a professional.
Making her A-League Women’s debut at the age of 15, winning silverware with the Junior Matildas and moving across the country to join the Glory.
She first hit the headlines making her pro debut for Western Sydney Wanderers at such a young age and it was an experience that the midfielder believes has played a huge part in making her both the person and player she now is.
“I look back at that period as a massive highlight in my life with Head Coach Catherine Cannuli having belief in me and seeing potential; it meant a lot,” she said.
“I look back at that time and see how much I’ve grown as a person and how being in and around that environment has shaped me on the field as well as off the field.
“You learn so much about the game being in such a professional environment.
“You have to think quick, you’re a 15-year-old competing with grown women.
“You learn so many life skills like discipline, patience, consistency, how to deal with controversy and perseverance.”
Abdul Massih’s temperament and abilities marked her out as a young player to watch and she was soon called up to the Junior Matildas side that went on to win the U18 AFF Women’s Championship.
It was one of those real ‘pinch me’ moments for her.
“That was one of, if not the, best footballing experience I’ve ever had,” she said.
“Rae Dower was my Head Coach and I absolutely praise her.
“She created an environment that was such a privilege to be a part of, as well as being an amazing support network always lifting us up.
“I absolutely loved playing under her.
“Obviously winning is the best feeling, especially for someone like me who’s a bit of a sore loser, but nothing can compete with the feeling of winning a tournament playing for your country.
“We fought so hard with such an incredible group of girls and the results say the rest.
The overall experience was absolutely amazing and I cannot speak highly enough of that tournament, the environment and the experience.”
Then, at the end of the 2023/24 season, the midfielder had another opportunity come her way.
Perth Glory came calling, offering her the chance to move just under 4,000 km across the country with the potential of regular A-League Women minutes being the big major incentive.
For someone of Abdul Massih’s age, it was a big decision to make.
Her family and footballing journey was all based in the Sydney area, as she explained.
“I grew up with an older brother who was playing football, so my mum got me into it and I loved it,” she said.
“I went on to play at Blacktown City for two seasons as my first rep team, then moved to Southern Districts from Under 12s all the way through to their Under 15s NPL boys team, playing an age up while training twice a week with the Sydney FC youth boys team for a season.
“Then I was a train on in 2020 with the Western Sydney Wanderers Women’s team, played a season in the Southern Districts NPL Women’s team and midway through the A League Women season, I signed with Western Sydney Wanderers.
“I went on to play at Wanderers for three seasons and NWS Spirit in the off season.
“My family have been massive in my journey, supporting me every single step of the way, from early morning training to late night training and sacrificing their weekends for our football.
“I really wouldn’t be where I am now without they support and belief.”
While the move across to Perth would mean leaving that family behind, it would not be a total journey into the unknown.
Abdul Massih knew both Glory Head Coach Stephen Peters and his assistant Tiana Gauci and realised that both would be perfect in enabling her to take the next step in her footballing development.
“Honestly, I needed a change and to try something new with more game time,” she said.
“I know Stephen and Tiana from Sydney and having them as my coaches was something I really wanted to experience as I know they both have my best interests at heart and only want what’s best for me.
“Stephen sees my potential and is trying to push me to get the best out of me which is what I need to grow as a footballer.
“He’s shown me time and time again that he believes in me and knows what I am capable of, so I want to try and give back to him by doing the best I can and playing my part in the team.
“Stephen is an amazing coach and an even better guy.
“He is very approachable and knowledgeable and it has been an amazing experience to play under him.
“He brings out the best in me and always communicates with me to let me know how I’m going and what he expects from me, which I really appreciate.
“Stephen tells me that he sees a lot of potential in me and he is trying to bring that out.
“Having a coach that believes in you like Stephen does is truly hard to find and I’ve been lucky enough to have him.
“He is an amazing guy off the field as well.
“He cares about us players and really shows that he does.
“So far it’s been a privilege to play under him.”
Although the move to Perth has been a positive one for her from a football perspective, the teenager admits that, at times, it’s been hard being so far from home.
“When you’re in an environment for three seasons then move, things are obviously going to be different, but they’re good,” she said.
“I’m surrounded by great players and a staff that believe in me, which is what every footballer wants.
The fans here are incredible as well.
“They really get behind us and show up, they really push us to be better and they’re the 12th player on the field of us.
“Personally it has been a challenge for sure.
“Being so far away from home can be hard sometimes and some days are harder than others.
“I come from a family of seven, so I really do miss them and it has definitely been tough being away from them.
“I do have my cousin here who has been amazing and I enjoy spending time with him.
“It has definitely gotten easier the longer I’ve been here, so I’m starting to really enjoy the life here.”
With the season approaching the business end, Glory’s #20 believes that the team have all the tools required to finish strongly.
“We need to just stick to what we’re good at and play to our strengths,” she said.
“We really are a great team and the ladder certainly doesn’t reflect the team that we are; we should honestly be higher.
“Sometimes the result doesn’t reflect the way we played, so we just need to concentrate and not become complacent.
“We’re a team who fights really hard and that has been reflected in the home games recently with Brisbane, as well as the Wellington.
“We have gotten results from both those game, so I think we just need to keep fighting and results will come.”
That Brisbane game was particularly important for Abdul Massih personally.
It was a match that saw the women trail twice but fight back to head into injury time with the scoreline locked at 2-2.
Then, an opportunity.
A free-kick on the edge of the box.
Cometh the moment, cometh Ella Adbul Massih to hit a glorious winner.
“That goal meant so much to me. It took long enough that’s for sure!” she laughed.
“It was really good for my confidence personally and it was just a surreal feeling, probably one of the best feelings while playing so far.
“Also, seeing the girls and staff have the faith and belief in me to take that free kick really meant a lot.
“The team fought the whole game, the effort was solid and we get the reward for that.
“I’m very grateful to have such an amazing team around me here at Perth Glory.”
Abdul Massih is going all out to use that as a foundation to push on for the rest of the season to ensure her team finish in a position more reflective of their efforts.
“Personally, I’m hoping to really push myself and work on areas of the game that I need to work on, as well as aiming to get more game time, consistently scoring, assisting, winning and contributing to the team as best as I can.
“Game time is a massive factor to having a good end of the season for me.”
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