Dons star, 10 nets sponsor

Ella Nesbitt, who plays for MK Dons, has been sponsored to go on tour to the Netherlands by Taylor Wimpey South Midlands, whose office is only about a mile from the ground where she trains.

Ella’s talents were first spotted when she was picked up by Arsenal aged just six, and she played for the Gunners for two seasons before joining the MK Dons FC Girls Centre of Excellence.

Her mum Amanda says: “Ella’s been playing since she was five. She trains in Milton Keynes on Monday and Wednesday evenings and then has matches every Saturday, which could be all over the country.

“We’re travelling all the time, getting up at silly hours at the weekends for matches. But she absolutely loves football and she never complains. If she’s ever ill and can’t play she’s devastated. She’s hoping to play for England one day.”

Taylor Wimpey has sponsored Ella £320 to cover the cost of a trip to Limburg in the Netherlands, where she’ll compete for MK Dons U11s in the Easter Open international youth football tournament.

The event takes place from Friday, March 25 until Sunday, March 27 and players from as far away as Colombia, the USA and Japan will be taking part. Last year saw 480 teams compete.

This is Ella’s second international tour, as she also competed in France last year for MK Dons.

MK Dons FC Girls Centre of Excellence is one of only 32 FA-licensed Centre of Excellences throughout the UK and promotes and develops opportunities for gifted and talented female footballers within Milton Keynes and the surrounding areas.

The Centre of Excellence is an enhanced coaching centre for players ranging from U9 to U17 and players can only gain access to the centre through trials.

Visit www.taylorwimpey.co.uk