Mastrantonio: “I have no income coming in for who knows”

She was tipped as one of the biggest signings in the National Premier Leagues NSW top tier Women’s competition, but alas her debut with the APIA Leichhardt side has been put on ice as former Western Sydney Wanderers midfielder Ella Mastrantonio, like many footballers, waits on the side-lines due to the COVID-19 epidemic.
Having been capped six times with the Matildas, Ella was one of the Wanderers’ shining lights in what was a huge year for the club reaching the finals series of the W-League this season.
APIA scooped on their prized signing and had her wearing her new colours at one of the final public gatherings at the club’s season launch but that’s been as far as she’s gone with her new teammates.
“It’s crazy what is happening at the moment and how far and wide this virus has affected so many people.
“The majority of the population, especially in football, the toughest aspect has been to stay indoors as footballers with no real training which has hurt.
“I have been trying to keep my mind busy with colouring in books and TV shows though.
“In the income department it’s been quite scary as I have no income coming in for who knows how long?
“I have even applied for Woolworths and heard nothing back so far because so many people are in the same boat as me.
“It’s a hard and scary time for many that’s for sure.”
Ella has however maintained her focus on staying fit and ready regardless of the obstacles our current climate is experiencing.
“I have been staying fit and moving as much as I possibly can.
“I’ve been doing runs up and down my street as there is a big hill in the middle of it which helps break out the sweat and have also been doing a lot of home workouts.
“I don’t have much equipment to work with so I am using anything I can from paint cans to chairs, I do have a few spare cones that I have kept.”
The 28-year-old thinks the world of her beloved football and is waiting for the day to be able to continue on with playing her dream sport albeit with her new APIA colours.
“I miss everything about football, but what I miss most about it is the ability to train so you can improve yourself as an even better footballer than you were the day before.
“Being part of a team is also something special in our game.”
The former W-League star was to the point about the virus and issued the challenge to everyone to ‘Stay at home’.
“The most important thing is to stay home, literally.
“You could be carrying the sickness and wouldn’t even know and could pass it onto someone more vulnerable than you.
“Please stay home, the quicker everyone does the quicker we can all get back to normal lives.
“My thoughts are with everyone affected by COVID-19.”
The new APIA star in full flight training solos hoping to make her debut at Lambert Park sometime this year