Meet Ella
Former Black Squad Swimmer and Club Champion
Ella Poolman has been in the water for over a decade. Dedicated, resilient, and always chasing faster times, Ella thrives in freestyle and continues to push her limits in and out of the pool.
For Ella Poolman, swimming started with a spark of curiosity, ten years on, that curiosity has grown into a decade-long competitive career.
Ella first joined Glenrothes Swimming Club in 2015 at the age of eight. Over the years, she’s built a reputation for dedication and consistency, more recently, her journey has taken her north, as she now swims with the University of Aberdeen Performance Squad, where she continues to train at an elite level while juggling the demands of university studies and work.
Ella continues to chase new goals, embodying the resilience and passion that inspire the next generation of swimmers at Glenrothes.
1. What made you decide to get into swimming?
I did swimming lessons as a child and always remember wondering why the lifeguards were putting flags up and I honestly think that’s why I wanted to start and here I am 10 years later.
2. How long have you been a swimmer?
I’ve been a competitive swimmer for 10 years, I joined the club in 2015 when I was 8.
3. Which teams did you/do you swim for?
I swam for Glenrothes Swimming Club and recently moved to swim for University of Aberdeen Performance so I can continue swimming whilst I am at University.
4. How many hours did you/do you train per week?
At Glenrothes I trained 13 hours a week but the schedule at UoAPS train 14 hours a week. I have a job also and my studies so I will have to try and find a balance.
5. What's your favourite gala/competition?
I don’t really have a favourite gala but if i had to pick one it would probably be Scottish Short Course. I think it is really fun getting to race short course at the RCP as it is usually long course meets that take place there.
6. What's your favourite event?
My favourite event would probably have to be 100m free or 200m free.
7. What's your favourite stroke?
I think everyone at GASC already knows the answer to this….front crawl.
8. What's your best PB?
My most memorable PB is my 200m free when in a SNAGS final in 2023. I cut off 2 seconds in the final and placed 4th.
9. What's your preferred pre-race snack?
I like to have something very light before a race so probably like a fruit snack bar or some popcorn.
10. What would you say to encourage future swimmers to get involved?
Swimming has brought me so many other skills such as resilience and motivation as well as teamwork and communication which I can now apply to other areas such as work and other parts of life. It teaches you so many important things and gives you friendships that you will have forever.