Impressing in her first season back in Manchester, all-round defender Ella Bowen was quickly re-signed by Head Coach Karen Greig for the 2024 campaign.
Ella grew well into the 2023 season when called upon after injuries to Shadine van der Merwe and Kerry Almond. She didn’t disappoint with a player of the match performance in her first start, her ability to turnover ball at crucial moments in the game was key to Thunder’s campaign through to the semi-finals.
21-year-old Ella has also impressed at international level by earning a spot in the England Roses Academy at just 15 years old. In early 2019, she was part of the squad that won the U17 Netball Europe where she vice-captained the side, as well as U21 Europe Netball in 2021. She has also been named in the Future Roses programme for 2023-24.
Manchester Thunder Head Coach and Franchise Director, Karen Greig, said, “I am delighted that Ella will be re-joining us for the new season. Ella really grew as the season went on last year and her athletic abilities really help in her ability to win ball at just the right time. She is a fantastic asset to us both on and off the court and I’m looking to see her connections continue to grow in the 2024 season.”
Ella said, “I’m super excited to be back playing for Manchester Thunder. I had the most amazing year last year, both on and off the court, and I can’t wait to do it all over again. My highlight last season was probably the first Thunder game that I played. Stepping out on court and seeing all the crowd and fans was pretty amazing.”
“I think playing with some of the experienced players last season was great for me because I’m still quite young, and I’m learning and developing a lot. Playing with the likes of Josie [Huckle] in the circle, Kerry [Almond], Shadine [van der Merwe] and Emma [Dovey] massively helped me to understand and learn things a lot quicker.”
Ella previously represented Manchester Thunder in our performance pathway from 2018 to 2020. Reflecting on her time in the pathway she said, “I learnt so much through the pathway. I was only there for two years but I learnt the whole ethos and style of Thunder such as the grittiness, the determination, and the whole competitive side of the club. It was great and I think that really stood me in good stead to come back into the club last year.”
She concluded, “In the 2024 season, as an individual I think what I can bring to the team is energy and putting one hundred percent into every training session, as well as supporting the girls both on and off the court to help win the title.”
