Career Milestones
Success Stories
Ellen Jones was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at 19. Within a year she signed her first professional contract. Since then: senior caps for Wales, 54 appearances in the WSL2, an FA Cup hat-trick, and a First Class Honours degree and a Masters, earned in parallel with all of it — not in spite of it.
By the Numbers
The record so far
< 1 year
From Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis to a professional contract
54
Appearances for Sunderland in the WSL2
2022–25
Senior Wales international camps
1st + MA
First Class Honours degree and a Masters, earned alongside football
The Story So Far
A timeline, not a highlight reel
Dec 2021
Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes
Aged 19, while a student-athlete at the University of Colorado. Determined it wouldn't stop her becoming a professional footballer.
Sept 2022
Signs first professional contract
Less than a year after diagnosis, Ellen signed with Leicester City in the Women's Super League.
2022–2025
Wales senior international camps
Called up to senior Wales camps, building on earlier caps at U15 and U17 level, and England U17 European Championships.
3 seasons
54 appearances for Sunderland
Full-time training and matches in the WSL2, learning to adapt her preparation to different training loads and match minutes.
Jan 2025
Hat-trick & Baller of the Round
Scored a hat-trick in the FA Cup and was named Baller of the Round for her performance.
Apr 2025
WSL2 Goal of the Month
Recognised for one of the best goals in the division that month.
2025
Nominated, WSL2 Goal of the Season
Shortlisted among the division's best goals of the season.
Alongside all of it
First Class Honours + Masters
A degree in Business & Management, followed by a Masters in Media & Public Relations — completed in parallel with professional football, not after it.
“I'm not just someone who has researched diabetes and tried to apply it to sport. I live with it every day while performing at a professional level — and I want to give young athletes and their parents the same confidence I had to find for myself: that with diabetes, anything in sport is possible.”
Ellen Jones
Sunderland AFC · Wales Women's National Team
Work with Ellen
Book a video call, or get in touch about public speaking at your school or club — and build a plan around your training, your diagnosis and your goals.