University of Gloucestershire student, Ellie Conlin makes her return to the team as Varsity shortly approaches, after being away for almost a year with injury.
It was around May of last year when Conlin took a break from football for the next nine months after suffering with an Achille’s injury.
Conlin explained, “It’s been quite tough. The first few months were the worst I think because I couldn’t anything, and I miss being on the pitch and playing football with everyone”.
She continued: “Although a tough start, the last few months have been a bit better as I am now able to go to the gym and work on my strength and things like that to help me pepare to come back”.
Although the defender has come home to playing football, her journey to recovery has not been an easy one. After suffering with a big injury, returning to the sport can be scary, but she faced her fears and was excited to get back into it.
“It has been a mix of emotions” she stated.
“I am very excited to be back on the pitch and training every other evening with a nice ease back into everything, but after a big injury like this, it is always hard to not worry that you’re going to go through all this again.
“Missing out on my routine of playing four times a week here can be hard. After a difficult injury and especially with the position I play, I am not a hundred percent to be throwing myself into difficult challenges like I usually would”.
Conlin understands that she “needs to take my time, and ease back into it if I want a full and successful recovery” and remain patient to regaining success.
“I would rather do it the right way, and be back on the pitch permanently than jump straight into it and be back in the same position”.
Having a goal is always normal for an athlete, but for Conlin a goal in which is simple for most had been a huge step to sucess.
“The main goal for at the moment is standard, getting back onto the pitch and making a difference in my first match and mainly to be enjoying my favourite sport again with no fear and at a competitive level” shared the 20-year-old.
It is a busy time for University sports as we approach competitive season and with Varsity just a few weeks away, the footballer has aspirations to make an appearance at Varsity this year.
She added, “Being a University student, and playing on a football team, Varsity is a big event. It would be a dream to be able to be able to participate in that”.
Find out more here: https://www.uogsu.com/sport/varsity/
