"I have always been a keen sportswoman, with the intention of giving every sport a go. Growing up, my sporting seasons where dominated by tennis and netball. I love the way they are fast paced and social games that get my heart rate up. I love incorporating nature into my physical activity so Tramping and riding my bike have become two of my favourite ways to move my body.

Leading an active lifestyle has always been a huge part of my identity. After having inactive periods of my life due to sickness, I have realised just how important being active is to my hauora, my total wellbeing. I love the way that each day I can choose a different form of physical activity, to sync up my body's demands up to my feelings and energy. I feel empowered by having the choice and the capability to participate in ways that suit ME every day.

Ella is responsible for overseeing the end-to-end Tu Manawa funding application process, the facilitation, coordination, and administration including applicant management and support, funding decisions and reporting. She also provides additional support to the play, active recreation and sport system across the Waikato region as a result of opportunities identified from Tu Manawa applications.