Ellie Carpenter, once a Cowra farm girl, defied all odds to become a national hero. Hailing from a farm in Cowra, New South Wales, her journey is a remarkable tale of perseverance and triumph. This biography delves into the life of a young girl who transitioned from rural beginnings to breaking records on the global stage.
Despite the challenges of her parents’ early divorce, Ellie remained steadfast in her pursuit of athletic greatness. Her breakthrough came at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, where she made history as the youngest female footballer ever to participate in the Olympics. Her story is one of unwavering focus and resilience, showcasing her rise from a schoolgirl to a trailblazing athlete.
Now, let’s dive into the captivating story of Ellie Carpenter and explore how she turned her dreams into reality.
Preamble:
Our biography of Ellie Carpenter provides an in-depth look at her childhood, early life, and family background. You’ll learn about her parents, including her mother, Belinda Carpenter, her brother, Jeremy Carpenter, and her partner, Danielle van de Donk. We hope to spark your interest in her story as you read about Ellie’s journey. To give you a glimpse into her life, we’ve included a photo gallery that captures her progression from her early soccer days to her rise to fame.
Ellie Carpenter’s Childhood Story:
For Biography starters, her full name is Ellie Madison Carpenter. She was born on the 28th day of April 2000 to her amazing parents – her dad and mum- in Cowra, a small town in the Central West region of New South Wales, Australia.
Her birth occurred on a faithful and Fabulous Friday to her highly supportive parents. The Soccer Athlete is the second child born two years after the birth of her older brother, Jeremy Carpenter.
The duo are the result of the beautiful union of their dedicated parents – Belinda (mother) and an unnamed father, both hailing from the east coast of Australia.
Also, their unwavering support and relentless efforts ensured their daughter’s full potential blossomed.
Growing-Up:
Ellie’s upbringing revolved around her parents, elder brother, and their close-knit life in Cowra, near their farm.
Their town exudes a warm and welcoming atmosphere, where familiar faces and friendly neighbours are always around, creating a strong sense of community and tight bonds among its residents.
Living in Cowra meant not having the bustling urban amenities of larger cities. Still, for Ellie, it provided a unique opportunity to forge profound connections with her surroundings and cultivate a deep sense of belonging within her community.
Like many typical country kids in Australia, Carpenter’s early years had enough memories filled with outdoor play and active participation in various sports. Following is an early childhood photo of the beautiful athlete.
As a child, Ellie Carpenter was active in a wide range of sports alongside her brother. They played cricket, tennis, AFL, touch football, and also took part in athletics, cross country, swimming, and water skiing. Ellie was also passionate about dancing, exploring tap, ballet, and jazz, and even competed in dance contests.
Her parents didn’t stop at sports and dance; they also encouraged Ellie and her brother to participate in public speaking, drama, and spelling bees, where they excelled from a young age.
Ellie Carpenter’s Early Life (Football):
From a young age, Ellie Carpenter showed her athletic talents and excelled in little athletics and soccer, thanks to the guidance of her parents, who were physical education teachers.
Even as a sprinter, she achieved success at the national level during her primary school days. However, football captured her heart, and she became determined to pursue it as her primary sport.
But then, becoming a successful footballer required sacrifices from Ellie and her family, who wholeheartedly supported her dreams.
While Cowra provided a great childhood, it wasn’t the best place for Ellie to chase her ambitious football career.
Around the ages of 10 and 11, Ellie Carpenter and her family realized that achieving her football dreams in their country town seemed implausible.
So, the family decided to move. Ellie, her brother Jeremy and their devoted mother, Belinda, made the life-changing move to Sydney to provide the best football opportunities for the siblings.
Ellie Carpenter Family Background:
The soccer star’s family played an essential role in her football journey. They always encouraged and supported her, from when she was a child till her emerging success.
Ellie grew up on a farm in Cowra, New South Wales, with her parents and older brother. It’s about 400 km away from Sydney. Living there provided a nurturing environment for Ellie to grow and follow her passion for sports.
Her parents were physical education teachers, which significantly impacted her interest and talent in sports. Ellie’s parents also did some farming to take care of their family. They were middle-income earners.
Furthermore, horse races are a big deal in Cowra, and Ellie’s family loves horse racing. So, they often went to the Cowra Jockey Club to have a good time and enjoy the exciting races.
Family Origin:
So far, we trace Ellie Carpenter’s household roots and ancestry to her birthplace and native town, Cowra. Cowra’s charm lies in its friendly community, serene landscapes, and rich history in the suburbs of Sydney.
It is a delightful place to visit or call home for those who appreciate a quieter pace of life and a deeper connection to nature.
Comparatively, her surname, Carpenter, is of English origin. She likely has English ancestry. The name originated from the occupation of carpentry or woodworking. It describes individuals who worked as carpenters, constructing and repairing wooden structures.
Over time, the name became hereditary and passed down through generations, resulting in individuals with the last name “Carpenter” today. So imperatively, she comes from the lineage of a famous Carpenter.
While Australians and English people share the English language as their primary language and have historical connections, they are distinct nationalities.
Therefore, the outstanding defender, Ellie Carpenter, is from Australia. The country is often called the “island continent” because the Indian and Pacific oceans surround it. Following is a picture that explains the cultural heritage of the dazzling female football player.
Ellie Carpenter Ethnicity:
The population of Cowra is likely to include individuals with Anglo-Celtic, Indigenous Australian, European, Asian, Middle Eastern, Pacific Islander, and other ethnicities.
However, Ellie is a white youngster who belongs to the Indigenous Australians—also known as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. They are the indigenous inhabitants of Australia.
Love Life:
Ellie Carpenter, being a Taurus, cares a lot about beauty and looks. A Taurus prefers a partner who cares for her health and appearance and dresses well for any occasion.
Comparatively, Ellie’s life has been exciting, travelling worldwide and living in France. Her passion for football led her to leave school to focus on her career, leaving little time for serious relationships.
While she had some crushes as a teenager, she does not have a husband and hasn’t been married yet. However, Ellie Carpenter is in a relationship with a Dutch footballer and her teammate at Olympique Lyonnais, Danielle van de Donk.
More about Ellie Carpenter’s Girlfriend – Danielle van de Donk:
Danielle van de Donk is a Dutch professional footballer born on the 5th of August 1991. She is a midfielder for the French Division 1 Féminine club Olympique Lyonnais and the Netherlands national team.
She has been a key player in her national team’s success throughout her career, helping them win the UEFA Women’s Euro in 2017 and finishing as runners-up in the memorable 2019 France-hosted FIFA Women’s World Cup.
In her early life, Daniëlle was born in Valkenswaard, Netherlands, and she grew up playing football with boys. Despite facing initial challenges and being laughed at by the boys when she joined FC Eindhoven for training, she proved her talent and silenced the sceptics.
Her journey in football started at the young age of 4 when she played for SV Valkenswaard and later moved to VV UNA.
Danielle van de Donk’s skills and dedication have made her a prominent figure in women’s football, and she continues to make significant contributions at the club level and for her national team.
Danielle van de Donk social media:
As an athlete, Danielle van de Donk has gained considerable popularity on social media, particularly on Instagram @daniellevddonk, where she actively engages with
about 600K followers.
Her posts often showcase her stunning physique through her sporting pictures. You can find Danielle van de Donk on Twitter under the nickname @DanielleDonk. Her Twitter account has a growing number of fans, about 75k.
Together with Ellie Carpenter, their social media accounts now feature images of their vacations, restaurant outings, birthday wishes, and even celebrations during Christmas. We know the duo for their fierce playing style. Though engaged, they (Danielle and Ellie) have no kids.
Personal Life:
Ellie has some tattoos on her body, like a phrase on her forearm, the number 197 on her wrist, and one on her upper thigh near her hips. As a Taurus woman, Ellie embodies the qualities of her zodiac sign, like love, beauty, stability, and victory.
She has a calming and pleasant presence that can uplift others around her. She also enjoys hobbies like tennis, AFL, touch football, sprints, water skiing, sewing, travelling, music, workouts, and swimming. Dancing has remained her hobby since childhood.
Moreover, her favourite colour is purple. Ellie loves to spend time with her friends and family, but football is her biggest passion. She looks up to Ana Maria Marković, a Croatian footballer. Additionally, she loves wearing a headband on the field, preferably blue.
Despite acknowledging that she had only a limited knowledge of French before her arrival in Lyon, Ellie Carpenter has been making rapid progress in adapting to the language, thanks to her dedicated three-times-a-week lessons with a tutor.
Ellie takes good care of herself, focusing on rest, recovery, and balanced nutrition. She enjoys eating Goulash, a traditional meat and vegetable stew. Standing at 1.64 meters (5 feet 5 inches) tall and weighing 55 kilograms, Ellie is a strong and fierce defender.
She stays in connection with her fans through social media, with over 230K followers on her Instagram and over 23K fans on Twitter.
Notably, on October 2021, during the Women’s International Friendly match between the Australia Matildas and Brazil at CommBank Stadium in Sydney, Australia, Ellie Carpenter of the Matildas graciously gifted her boots to the enthusiastic crowd.
Lifestyle:
As a professional football player, the Australian athlete exhibits a remarkable ability to stay focused and maintain a disciplined, systematic approach to her lifestyle. Ellie’s rigorous training, skill development, childhood experiences and preparations influenced her style.
Ellie Carpenter is, undoubtedly, a rising star and a talent only waiting to be unleashed.
She became the first player born in the 21st century to play for the national team.
With her accolades and trailblazing feats, the sports competitor abundantly amassed massive wealth from her hard-earned labour.
Considering his impact, it is a matter of time before we see a substantial increase in the influx of more money with the likes of San Diego Wave’s Alex Morgan and OL Reign’s Megan Rapinoe. Her wealth affords him luxury mansions, vacations, the choicest foods, and luxury cars.
The Dynamic athlete lives a luxurious life in Lyon, the third-largest city in France. She has good taste in expensive cars and should have a good collection of cars in his garage, which includes The 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 worth about $295,000.
Ellie Carpenter’s Family Life:
There is little public information available about Ellie Carpenter’s family life. However, it’s important to mention that her family has significantly supported her athletic career. They have been encouraging and supportive as she pursues her dreams of football.
Ellie has a strong network of family members who have been part of her journey as a professional football player. While it’s hard to predict the future, Australia has a talented pool of right-back players, and if everything goes well, Ellie’s potential is limitless.
For more specific details about the champion’s family life, stay tuned for updates. Follow along for specific details about the Champ’s family life.
Ellie Carpenter’s Father:
Growing up, the dynamic female athlete shared a special bond with her family. Ellie Carpenter’s father’s name is undisclosed, and his identity remains unknown.
However, we know that he was married to Belinda, Ellie’s mother. Nevertheless, the details about him are unknown.
Despite the absence of specific information about Ellie’s father, it’s clear that her father is a physical education teacher who encouraged Ellie and her brother to lead active and successful lives.
He also ran a farm in their hometown, Cowra, before they moved to Sydney. Unfortunately, before Ellie was 12, the marriage between her parents began to have difficulties.
The marital chaos ended in a divorce that affected the dazzling defensive football player.
It was another reason she decided to leave Crowar for Sydney with her mum and brother. That is why there are scarce details about her Dad.
Ellie Carpenter’s Mother – Belinda:
The charming Aussie’s mother’s name is Belinda. She, along with Ellie’s father, was a physical education teacher. Despite facing a breakdown in her marriage, Belinda remained devoted to raising her children, Ellie and Jeremy.
She continued to provide them with all the support and encouragement they needed to lead active and successful lives.
Belinda’s dedication to her children’s well-being is evident, as she didn’t hesitate to support Ellie’s decision to drop out of school and pursue her football career.
Thanks to her mother’s unwavering support, everything worked out well for Ellie, and she has succeeded in her football journey.
Ellie Carpenter Siblings:
The Aussie soccer star has an older brother named Jeremy, who is two years older than her. Like Ellie, Jeremy also played sports, showing their passion for athletics. His soccer career took him to places like Japan and Portugal.
Both Ellie and Jeremy were exceptional athletes while growing up. They participated in various sports, including cricket, tennis, AFL, touch football, athletics, cross country, swimming, and water skiing.
Their parents, physical education teachers, played a significant role in encouraging and supporting their active and diverse interests.
Although they outgrew their hometown of Cowra, where they were raised mainly by their mother, Belinda.
As such, Ellie and Jeremy’s early involvement in sports laid the foundation for their successful careers in athletics. Today, Ellie Carpenter is a famous footballer, and her brother Jeremy has had his achievements in soccer.
Ellie Carpenter Relatives:
As a professional footballer, Ellie Carpenter has kept the details about her extended family members private. She aims to protect her loved ones from unwanted public attention.
Like many Australians, family is essential to Ellie. She probably has aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, nephews, nieces, and possibly in-laws who are all part of her extended family.
However, only a little information is available about them, as Ellie prefers to keep their personal lives away from the public eye. This way, she can maintain privacy and protect the people she cares about.
Untold Facts:
In this final part of Ellie’s biography, we’ll uncover more interesting facts you might need to be made aware of.
Ellie Carpenter FIFA:
In FIFA 23, Ellie Carpenter’s overall rating is 83, and she has the potential to reach a rating of 89, which is quite impressive. She is rated with a 3-star skill moves ability, showing off some cool tricks on the field. When it comes to shooting, she prefers her right foot.
Ellie’s work rates are High / Low, which means she’s very active in the game but doesn’t tend to go too far forward when it comes to attacking. Her attributes are similar to that of Alex Greenwood and the Aussie talent Steph Catley.
And when it comes to her best stats, as shown in the photo following, we can imagine that she excels in various aspects of the game, making her a valuable player on the virtual pitch!
Ellie Carpenter Religion:
Like other Christians, the Australian Lyon’s defender will likely participate in prayer and worship. Also attending church services and participating in Christian community activities. These actions are essential aspects of living a life of faith, love, and service.
Additionally, Ellie Carpenter may face particular challenges and experiences as she tries to balance her faith and sexual orientation.
Other Fascinating Facts about Ellie Carpenter:
Ellie Carpenter’s impressive skills in soccer are recognized. Her recognition has caused her to get chosen as a part of the IFFHS AFC Woman Team of the Decade (2011–2020). This shows just how talented and consistent she has been throughout the years.
But that’s not all – Ellie’s journey in representing her country started even when she was part of the U17 and U20 teams. She proudly played for Australia in those teams, making a name for herself as a rising star in Australian football.
Ellie Carpenter Education:
Her hometown, Cowra, provides diverse schooling opportunities for its residents. Like many towns in Australia, Cowra has public and private educational institutions catering to students from preschool to high school levels.
These schools follow the Australian curriculum and offer a well-rounded education. As for the footballer, Ellie Carpenter, she grew up as a bright student.
She attended King Park Primary, a government-funded co-educational comprehensive and specialist secondary day school in Fairfield West, a western suburb of Sydney, Australia.
The school specializes in sports, which allowed her to join the Westfields Sports High program. Additionally, Ellie attended Mulyan Public School during her academic journey.
However, at 17, Ellie decided to drop out of school to pursue her full-time football career. Fortunately, this choice benefited her and contributed to her successful football career.
Career Buildup:
Dropping from school, Ellie Carpenter joined Canberra United, based in the southern Canberra suburb of Wanniassa, Australian Capital Territory. She joined for the 2017-18 W-League season.
However, before that, while still in school, Carpenter joined Western Sydney Wanderers. In her first season, she was a starting defender in all twelve games and helped the team in defence and offence.
Her impressive performance earned her a call-up to a training camp with her nation’s team, the Matildas, in November 2015, despite being only 15 years old.
She was a versatile right-back defender who often supported offensive plays by overlapping and delivering crosses to her teammates.
Ellie Carpenter Biography – Football Story:
Recognizing the need for change, the family collectively decided to take action. They understood that a new environment and more significant opportunities were essential for Ellie to thrive in her football journey.
This decision marked a turning point in Ellie Carpenter’s path to success. The move meant leaving behind their familiar life, including their school, friends, and childhood home.
But it was a sacrifice they were willing to make to access top-notch facilities, coaches, and training that their country town couldn’t offer. Despite the challenges, Belinda quit her job to support her children in their football endeavours.
The family regularly travelled to Sydney, Canberra, and other regional centres to support her training, matches, and tournament ambitions.
Hours spent in the car travelling became just as familiar to Ellie and her brother, Jeremy, as time spent on the football pitch.
Ellie and Jeremy found themselves at the prestigious Westfields Sports High in Sydney, immersing themselves in a world that would help nurture their footballing dreams.
Ellie’s talent shone brightly as she represented NSW in national championships and earned a spot in the national team, proving that the move was worth it.
ANTE Juric, the Sydney FC coach, was among the first to recognize Ellie’s potential when she was just a young teenager. He was struck by her raw athleticism and remarkable defensive skills, something quite rare at that age.
Her talent was evident, and despite her young age of 14, Juric didn’t hesitate to select her for the Mini Matildas, leading to her debut at the AFC U16 Championship qualifiers in October 2014.
Ellie Carpenter’s journey had begun, and her dedication, talent, and perseverance were already paving the way for an extraordinary football career.
Road to Fame Story:
Growing up in a regional setting, Ellie belongs to a select group of international players who experienced demanding training during her formative years as a Footballer.
The family’s dedication and sacrifices were evident as they made the arduous 8-hour round-trip to Sydney and Canberra to ensure Ellie had access to top-level competitions and exposure.
Their efforts bore fruit when, at the age of 15, Ellie secured a spot with the newly formed Western Sydney Wanderers.
This marked the beginning of her A-League Women’s career, which later saw her move to Canberra United, where she clinched the “Young Footballer of the Year” award for two consecutive years.
Ellie’s potential got quickly recognized on the international stage, and she made her well-publicized Australian debut in the 2016 Olympic Qualification campaign.
Notably, she became the first global player born in the 21st century, a milestone that other talented players in the Matildas squad have since surpassed.
Her career continued to ascend when she signed with Portland Thorns FC, where she became the youngest player in NWSL history upon her debut on the 9th of May 2018.
The Aussie defender enjoyed considerable success both on the international stage and at her club during her three-year stint in the United States.
Ellie Carpenter Bio – Rise to Fame Story:
The lady soccer star is a modern-day full-back with immense talent and a bright future. At 19 years old, she had already shown the potential to compete with top players like Chelsea’s Sam Kerr and Manchester City’s Mary Fowler.
As a Matilda (Australia women’s national soccer team), she continues to grow and develop, proving that she has much more to offer in football.
Carpenter was part of the Matildas squad for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The team made it to the quarter-finals and defeated Great Britain, but unfortunately, Sweden eliminated them in the semi-final. In the playoff for the Bronze medal, they got beaten by the USA.
However, her biggest dream came true when she secured a move to Europe’s most successful club, Olympique Lyonnais.
On the 14th of August 2020, she played her first game for the French club, contributing to a 4-0 friendly win against PSV Eindhoven by assisting Nikita Parris. Carpenter was on the bench but didn’t play in the Champions League final victory against Wolfsburg.
Unfortunately, during the 2022 UEFA Women’s Champions League final against Barcelona, Ellie suffered a setback, rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament.
She had to leave the Women’s Champions League final prematurely. Subsequent examinations conducted on the Australian international confirmed the rupture in her left knee, necessitating surgery.
Despite the challenges, she demonstrated incredible resilience and has recently made a triumphant return with Lyon. She’s now on the radar as one of the top defenders to watch at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.
Summary EndNote:
Ellie Madison Carpenter is an Australian soccer player. She was born on 28th of April 2000. She is a defender for a French club called Olympique Lyonnais and the Australia national team.
Before that, she played for Western Sydney Wanderers and Portland Thorns FC in the NWSL (United States National Women’s Soccer League).
Previously, she also made her mark in the National Women’s Soccer League, playing for Portland Thorns FC from 2018 to 2020. During the 2019-20 season, she was on loan to Melbourne City FC.
Her journey as a professional footballer began with Western Sydney Wanderers FC, where she debuted in 2015. Joining the team in September 2015, Ellie remained a key player until August 2017, when she moved to Canberra United.
She contributed her talents to the Canberra-based club for the next two years. The turning point in Ellie’s career came in June 2020. She made the significant leap to Lyon, joining the prestigious French club.
Since then, she has been an integral part of Olympique Lyonnais Féminin, consistently showcasing her defensive prowess and contributing to the team’s success.
Anticipating Carpenter’s ascent in the rankings is only natural, given her youth and remarkable potential. Ellie Carpenter’s return from injury provides a significant boost to the Matildas’ prospects.
Being nearly a decade younger than the world’s current top right-back, this girl from Cowra has already displayed a spark of brilliance that could ignite a blazing talent.
Despite her imperfections, Carpenter is one of the most captivating and entertaining full-backs in modern football. Whether on the field or throughout her career, Ellie Carpenter keeps us on our toes, always leaving us eager to see what comes next.
As Ellie’s Bio is updated, she is recognized alongside Caitlin Foord (LW), Katrina Gorry (CM), Emily van Egmond (CM), Mary Flower, and Hayley Raso as some of the most thrilling Matildas players in the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Appreciation Note:
We’ll take this moment to express sincere appreciation for reading our article about Ellie Carpenter. Your interest and engagement mean a lot. We are thrilled you found value in our continuous delivery of exciting Australian football stories.
It’s always rewarding to connect with readers who share a passion for football and appreciate the achievements of talented athletes. Aside from Ellie Carpenter’s Bio, we’ve got other great football stories for your pleasure to read. The Life History of Alyssa Thompson and Kyra Cooney-Cross will interest you.