Image: Ella post racing at Lake Barrington, Tasmania
A few short months after sending a speculative email inquiring whether she may be eligible for Para sport, Ella Marshall is embracing a golden opportunity which she hopes may end in international glory.
Despite a life-long involvement in rowing, the 25-year-old has suddenly been presented with a new avenue potentially leading to the Paralympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028 and again on home soil in Brisbane four years later.
"There's been a lot of doors that have opened very quickly for me," she said. "It's very much a dream come true. It's something that I never thought was possible and to think that I only found out I could get classified in September and be about to head off to Canberra in February and fulfil my dream is an amazing opportunity for me.”
"Obviously there's still worlds more to strive for, but this is a big goal that's ticked off and it's very exciting."
Marshall grew up a stone's throw away from Devonport's Mersey Rowing Club where parents Greg and Lesley both competed at state level, representing the club plus St Brendan Shaw College and Hobart's St Michael's Collegiate.
Competing in open events, the Devonport Primary School teacher won a bronze medal in a lightweight eight composite crew at the 2025 National Championships before learning of the newly established Tasmanian Institute of Sport Para Unit headed by Dr Kirstie Turner.
At the age of four, Burnie-born Marshall underwent chemotherapy and surgery after being diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour which left her with part-paralysis on her right side, characterised by decreased muscle mass, hearing and coordination.
"In September I became aware that I could be eligible for classification in Para rowing and Kirstie helped guide me through that process," Marshall said. "I was always aware of the opportunity, but the support system in Tasmania wasn't there as much as it is now with the Para Unit."
Image: Ella checks over her shoulder while training on the Mersey River.
With the support of Turner and TIS rowing coach Nadia Bleaken, Marshall progressed quickly through the system. Firstly, earning an invitation to a Rowing Australia Para development camp in Canberra followed by selection trials in Sydney, which resulted in her being inducted into the National Training Centre (NTC).
Paralympics Australia TIS Classification Advisor, Michael Coppo, also played a key role in guiding Marshall through the classification process, which saw her classified as a PR3 rower; a category for athletes with impaired leg and/or arm function or a visual impairment. She will now vie for National Team selection in either a mixed four or mixed double crew.
"To have the opportunity to be immersed in the NTC environment that we were all striving to be involved in was really eye-opening," she said. "Being invited to be an athlete at the NTC was always the dream and to have that dream become a very real opportunity feels surreal.”
"I now have the opportunity to compete and represent Australia in World Cups and World Championships and ultimately I'd love to say the Paralympics are definitely on the cards. I will be striving my absolute hardest for that. That's a goal I very much want to grab with both hands and run with.”
Image: Ella training on the Mersey River during sunrise.
"Just a few months ago this was a very different conversation. I was very much looking at state level stuff and still being in the lightweight space. This is a very exciting change, and I think I'm definitely onto bigger and better things."
Having rowed for half her life and been coached by her dad, the TIS Para Unit scholarship holder who also represents Banks Rowing Club in Victoria has some sage advice for others who may find themselves in a similar position.
"I would not be sitting here talking about this unless I took the courage to send that email and reach out to Kirstie at the Para Unit," she said.
"It can be quite daunting, but the TIS know that and will support you every step of the way. There are a lot of people out there that are on the same journey as you and the TIS were keen to support me on and off the water."
Article by Rob Shaw.