From the community fields of Evanston to the competitive pitch of League1 Alberta, Ella Tait’s path in soccer has been shaped not by ease but by consistency, resilience and a deep connection to the game and those around her.
A Family-First Beginning
Ella’s introduction to soccer came through her dad, who first sparked her interest in the sport. Her parents remain a major source of encouragement, attending as many games as possible and supporting her behind the scenes. Her mum, in particular, has volunteered hundreds of hours with the Club. Ella is the eldest of four, with three younger siblings following in her footsteps through the Foothills system.
Growing Up Foothills
Ella joined Foothills at age 10, just before the Club opened the Macron Performance Centre. Her first impression of the program was the Skills Centre, which she found inspiring even then. Starting in Tier 3 under Coach Ruben Contreras, she was soon named team captain and helped lead the group into Tier 2. As the group progressed, Coach Colin Mackay brought them up into Tier 1, a key turning point in Ella’s development.
Learning to Lead and Give Back
As her technical skills developed, so did her sense of responsibility beyond the field. Through Foothills’ “Greens Give Back” initiative, Ella began volunteering regularly with her team, visiting seniors’ homes, organizing food drives, and attending community events. “Our Tier 3 group started this, and that’s where I first realized how much I enjoyed giving back.”
That spirit of service extended into coaching. Ella now helps lead everything from Grassroots sessions to U19 Tier 1 teams. “Being able to mentor younger players has been incredibly meaningful,” she says.
Turning Uncertainty into Opportunity
Ella wasn’t always sure she wanted to play post secondary soccer. The Club’s academic and athletic development programs gave her a wake-up call: if she wanted to pursue university soccer, she needed to advocate for herself and make full use of the resources Foothills provided. “You can ask anyone who’s ever asked me for help getting to the university level—I always say the hardest and most important part is advocating for yourself.” A key connection came when Colin introduced her to Mount Royal University (MRU) Head Coach, Tino Fusco, during one of the Club’s post-secondary workshops.
Overcoming Setbacks
After joining MRU’s summer training team in 2021 and later signing with the squad, Ella started off her university soccer career strong. A torn hip derailed her second season and required surgery, sidelining her through much of her second and third years. Determined to stay involved, she found support from both Tino and Colin (also MRU’s assistant coach), who offered her a student manager role to help her remain close to the team while she recovered.
Her official return came this past spring with the Calgary Villains in League1 Alberta. “I needed to prove to myself I could play without relying on the comfort of Foothills,” she says. “The Villains community has been so supportive of that.”
A Meaningful Return
Looking Ahead – On and Off the Field
Still All In
With two years left of university soccer, Ella remains focused on growth.She credits coaches like Colin Mackay, Marc McLaren and the entire FC team for supporting her through recovery. “They celebrated every little milestone with me. That meant a lot.”
Her message to younger players is simple: “Things will get hard. But if you stay grounded and surround yourself with people who believe in you, you’ll find your way.”
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