Ella Cohen raring to go ahead of The Fly 2023

“I’m really excited. I think it’s also really flattering because we had such a strong team last year and obviously we won so it’s just really nice to be representing them.”

Those are the words of Forge Women’s Team Icon for 2023, Ella Cohen, who cannot wait to get back on the pitch at Rosslyn Park FC, London, for The Fly 2023.

Ella, who finished last year’s competition as the top scorer with 20 goals, believes the new sixes format that’s played at The Fly has allowed her the freedom to unleash her skills.

“I think because it’s a new game there’s still so much that everyone’s still figuring out so it’s nice that as a player you get to be a part of the game evolving.

“The traditional 10-a-side game is already structured so it’s nice to test out different things. As a player if you’re flexible and adaptable and enjoy shooting and getting a goal off, which I’ve always enjoyed, then you’ll do great.”

Her ferocious performances at The Fly last year earned her a spot in the 2022 All-Star Team and the up and down nature of the format hasn’t fazed her at all.

“I actually haven’t minded the defensive part of sixes because as an attacker I like the re-defend part and I do like defence it’s just if I were to choose I’d choose attack.

“But it does feel like, because there’s a 30-second shot clock, most of it is that re-defending aspect; you won’t find yourself down there for too long so you just have to put your all into it.”

“Either way, you’re always attacking the ball, you’re never really settled into defence.”

The Head Coach for Forge this year will be Alex Carnegie-Brown who made her debut at The Fly coaching Hustle Men to second place in 2022.

She’s someone who Ella knows really well from her time in the England Lacrosse Talent Pathway.

“Throughout my time with the England U23s team, Alex was my coach and it’s really exciting as she’s got a great mind when it comes to lacrosse so I can’t wait to see what she comes up with.

“With the format still so up in the air, as coaches you have the freedom to throw something at your players and see if it pays off or not so I’m really interested to see what Alex will do.”

With World Lacrosse’s aim and vision to get lacrosse included in the 2028 Olympic Games, Ella is hoping she’ll be able to continue progressing and be in contention should that become a reality.

“I try not to get my hopes up with it! But it is so exciting for the sport in general to be on that kind of platform.

“Anyone that’s within the lacrosse world knows how hard you work and how much time and training you put into it so having the sport at the Olympics would kind of validate that.”

With one The Fly winners medal already around her neck, Ella will be looking to make it two out of two when she takes to the field in May.

“We’re definitely looking to win it again and hopefully have some of the same players as we had last year and I can’t wait to see whatever else Alex [Carnegie-Brown] comes up with.

“We tried a lot of random things with Conor [Dockery] last year and it was a lot of fun and I quite like that risk aspect of the game so it’ll be nice to see how we integrate that.”

Ella will return to The Fly starting on 14 May and you can buy tickets for round 1 and 2 as well as a Full Flight Pass HERE.