Badminton player Ella Smith taking on the world
Invercargill’s Ella Smith is one of the most exciting badminton talents in New Zealand.
Tell us about yourself. Who are you, where are you from and what do you do?
Photo: Ella Smith competing at world juniors earlier this month. Pic: Supplied
My name is Ella Smith, I am a badminton player from Invercargill.
What are you passionate?
I am passionate about learning and refining my skills and talents to be the best that I can be whether this be in education or within my sport.
Name a person who has had a significant impact on your life?
My mum has had a significant impact on my life. She is my biggest fan and cheerleader. She is always there to support me in everything that I do, whether it’s going well or not. She will always listen to me and let me vent to her, so I can focus properly when I need to.
What is your earliest sporting memory?
My earliest sporting memory is my mum teaching me hand eye co-ordination by throwing things at me, so I would learn to catch.
What is your favourite sporting memory?
My favourite sporting memory would be my first win at world junior championships last year in Indonesia. It was my first win on the international stage and my first time representing my country as a part of the New Zealand team.
Why is sport important to you?
It is through sport that I have gained a majority of my life experiences and learnt the most about life in the real world. It has taught me to be responsible for myself, manage my time well and communicate with others. Without sport I would not be the person I am today.
Has there been any other moment when sport has played a major part in your life?
Sport has given me the opportunity to travel the world and gain life experience that is invaluable.
Why is it important that women and girls are valued, visible and influential in sport?
If women are valued within sport they can then act as a role model for other young women around the world. By having a role model that we can relate to, girls can see that they too can achieve anything if they put their mind to it.
What are you hoping can be achieved by the Women in Sport Murihiku network?
More equality within sport, especially with pay gaps between the male and female equivalent teams, as well as an increase in female participants in all sports.
How will the network know when it has been successful?
When there is a strong support system for all women in sport who want to take part, or professionally play their chosen sport. Decrease in the discrimination against women in sport and an increase in women in leadership positions in sport.
Women in Sport Murihiku is a network of sports leaders committed to ensuring Southland women and girls are valued, visible and influential in sport.
