Sussex Football: Female physio in the men’s game talks defying the odds and her message to the FA
Ellie-Mae Watson, 19, from Sussex, is a pitch-side physio and sports massage therapist, currently with Whitehawk FC in the Isthmian Prem.
She gave up on her childhood dream of being a professional footballer when she was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Scoliosis but after watching a Man City behind the scenes documentary she became hooked on the medical field.
Ellie-Mae recalls the pressure she felt the first time she sat pitch side as a physio at 17 years old, “Having to run on the pitch, just the adrenaline rush.”
“I was like this is it. It’s a buzz I still get now.”
However, it isn’t always a welcoming place to be.
“I was like this is it. It’s a buzz I still get now.”
Ellie-Mae
She has experienced unacceptable comments made by both young and old male spectators, such as “F***ing hell, I’d love her to rub my groin”, but she said it’s helped her develop thick skin.
She’s also received messages on her social media asking “Do we get a happy ending? What other therapies do you offer?”.
This extends to her personal account, saying “Oh yeah, you reminded me I need to book in a massage to see you but wear that” when she posts her progress pictures to share how hard fitness journeys are.
“It’s sad to say but I don’t think things are going to change for females”
“I think it’s the attitude surrounding women”.
As a young girl in the industry, Ellie-mae has had to rise above damaging rumours and jokes about being in multiple player relationships, which were even encouraged by a welfare officer.
She says you need to be prepared for the banter in the changing room because if you take it all to heart “it will break you”.
She describes her job as the front line of football and shares her concerns over the role social media plays in today’s society.
One challenge is side-line shouters and keyboard warriors who think they know best. “It’s always in the back of our mind”
“You almost second guess yourself in case you’re doing something wrong, but you know you’re not”.
Ellie-Mae got her role through her course for sports massage therapy at Hastings College and completing external qualifications in her free time.
She believes that people shouldn’t be forced to go to university because not everyone is academic.
Whilst she acknowledges there will be limitations with her chosen route, she expresses that “experience in this industry is so vital”.
“It’s sad to say but I don’t think things are going to change for females. I think it’s the attitude surrounding women”
Ellie-Mae
The young entrepreneur defied the odds by completing her FA ITMMiF when she just was 18. The certificate means she’s got the training of a paramedic but can’t administer medication.
She thinks the FA need to rethink their First Aid strategy because the courses are “never game realistic”.
“It’s not just applying a plaster to a graze.”
The FA level 1 First Aid course is completed online, and Ellie-Mae argues how can you practice CPR through a screen?
She believes we should be teaching basic first aid to players from as young as 8 years old.
With the rules around heading for children, she says “Lets teach kids why we’re doing that, not just say you can’t head a ball”.
She calls on the FA to look into their first aid education “to save peoples’ lives at the end of the day”.
Ellie-Mae describes her treatment room as a therapy room where players can open up about how they're feeling.
“Removing stress from the situation can then prevent injuries”
“They take all that out on the pitch. They’re hunched up. They’re stressed. They can even go and injure someone else, or they can injure themself.”
It’s also important to remember that in non-league football the players aren’t full time, many are self-employed and can’t afford to take time off for injury.
As their physio, Ellie-Mae tries to discourage them from excessive alcohol, vapes and snus to aid their recovery but it’s not an easy task.
She received runners up in the Seahaven business awards for best new business and was nominated in the shortlist for the British fitness awards.
“My name popped up and I literally burst into tears”
It made her appreciate the positive effect she’s having on people.
“It’s incredible and really emotional”
Her final message to others in her situation with chronic conditions who have been let down is…
“Look what you need to do and work on small parts at a time.”
“I’m the one who had to pick myself up out of those horrible situations to get myself here now so just keep going. Try and reach your dreams”
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But what are her plans for the future?
Well, Ellie-Mae's move to Whitehawk FC has cemented her plans to continue up the FA ladder with the ultimate goal of reaching the Premier League with her team Manchester City.
For now, she is focusing on continuing to build good relationships with her clientele, establishing partnerships with local grassroots teams and banking more football experience.
She has also recently been nominated in two categories of the Eastbourne business awards, which are taking place at the end of November.
Since speaking to Ellie-Mae, she has gone on to do another podcast (link below) and we hope she'll continue to inspire others through her work.
We wish Ellie-Mae good luck for her future as she continues to move up the ranks...
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