2019-20 SCTA / Protector Aluminium Junior Scholarship Female Recipient

2019/20 SCTA Junior Scholarship Female Recipient - Ella Wooldridge

Hi, I’m Ella Wooldridge. I am 17 years of age and have 2 younger sisters; Erin and Mia, together known as the Woolie sisters.
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I am so humbled and radiating with excitement to be named the SCTA/ Protector Aluminium 2019-20 Junior Scholarship holder. The opportunity of becoming the junior face of SCTA is something I consider very special. I am so fortunate to have been this opportunity, and I am prepared to do my very best to represent my team with pride, gratification and to share my journey with you all. 

How it all started:
It all started with me growing up in Camden, NSW, running around on grass ovals every Friday night at Little Athletics. And yes, I have to admit the main objective for those Friday nights were to see my friends, and to grab an egg and bacon sandwich at the end. But I guess a bit of running never hurt.

I was 9 years old when I got poached by a run coach after the 800m event at my regional athletics carnival. He was surprised that I was in front of one of his athletes and asked my mum if he could train me for running. This is where the potential of becoming a runner arose. 
I joined his squad and was the youngest runner that he had taken aboard. Looking up to the older athletes was intimidating at first, but I soon became a part of the family as they nurtured me into the squad environment.

At the age of 12, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to race in Melbourne, VIC for the National Cross Country Championships 2015. I was blown away with my result as I placed 7th at the NSW State All Schools Cross Country Championships and then rocked up in Melbourne and finished 7th again in Australia and New Zealand. This was a real highlight for me. To experience a trip away, competing against the whole of Australia and NZ, and meeting many friends, this was something I thought I could get used to :) 

I was a runner through and through until mum introduced my sisters and me to the sport of triathlon.  I look back on the photos of me racing as a kid and was glad to be eased into the sport- Having a basic bike and no cycling cleats for years. As triathlon is an expensive sport, it made me realise and appreciate the constant support from my family along with friends and coaches.

​I have also had the great opportunity to travel to New Plymouth, New Zealand for the Oceania Championships in 2018 as well as competing in the Australian Junior Triathlon Series races that have taken me to all states in Australia. Through years of training, here I am.

I have identified my strengths and weaknesses and have developed my run and bike leg of the triathlon, although, an aspect that is a work in progress is my swim. After moving up from Sydney and transitioning training environments, it is great to see the progress that has come from one year of training with Toby and the team in SCTA.
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I am honoured to receive such generous support and I would love to thank all the sponsors of SCTA including  Vorgee, Clif Bar Australia, Cannibal Australia, Mizuno Running Australia, Tara Leanne Nutrition, Rydges Hotels and Resorts, The Event Crew, Intune Sports Massage, Ironman Oceania, Allez Sport Mooloolaba, Davey and Associates Optometrist, Felt Bicycles Australia, Titan Performance Group and of course Grant Symes from Protector Aluminium for all the hard work, effort and all the support provided for us young athletes. 

Bring on tri season! I can already feel it's going to be a good one :)
Ella.

2018-19 Season Highlights
Triathlon Queensland State Team
1st Place 16-17 Years Triathlon Queensland State Series
1st Place 16-19 Years QTS Series 
1st Place 16-19 Years QTS # 4 Raby Bay
2nd Place 16-19 Years Australian Sprint Champs
2nd Place 16-19 Years Australian Aquathlon Champs
2nd Place Senior Female - Qld All Schools Triathlon Champs
2nd Place 16-19 Years QTS # 5 Robina
2nd Place 16-17 Years Queensland Aquathlon Champs
3rd Place 16 Years Female Queensland Athletics 2000m Steeple
3rd Place 16-19 Years QTS # 2 Raby Bay
4th Place Senior Girls - Qld Schools Triathlon Champs
6th Place Senior Girls National Schools Triathlon Champs
10th Place "ITU Junior" A Final - Australian Junior Series Race # 1
10th Place "ITU Junior" Australian Junior Series Race # 2
12th Place ITU junior Oceania + Australian Sprint Champs Australian Junior Series Race # 3