Newcastle United Women face Leeds United Women away from home this Sunday in the FA Women’s National League Division One North.

Becky Langley’s side are preparing for the fixture fresh from a 3-0 win over Chester-le-Street Town on Wednesday night. But using the wealth of resources and expertise made available by the United Women’s partnership with Northumbria University, the squad are ready to take on their second game of the week.

Lady Magpies defender Ellen Packham – who graduated from Northumbria University in Newcastle last year – is a product of this alliance.

For the latest instalment of Away The Lasses, Packham reveals her own experiences of playing away from Druid Park…

How do you keep busy on the bus?

Packham: “The team generally catches up from the weekend and usually someone brings some sort of game, and we all join in on that. There’s always music on as well, especially as we get closer to the ground.”

What is your go to meal deal for an away day?

Packham: “I tend to meal prep for an away day. I’ll have yoghurt and granola as a snack when we first get on the bus, and then have a wrap or a sandwich as my main meal. I’ll have pasta or some sort of rice combination if it is further away.”

Who is the biggest joker?

Packham: “There’s a few in the team but I’d have to say Rosie [Missen] or Grace [Donnelly].”

Who is the smartest player?

Packham: “The smartest player is probably Georgia [Gibson].”

Who controls the pre-match playlist?

Packham: “Brooke [Cochrane] brings the speaker so she is in charge of the playlist. But at the start of the season, she shared the link so we could all add our own music to the playlist.”

Who is most likely to argue over an away-day quiz?

Packham: “I reckon Kacie Elson would, as she’s most likely to cheat!”

What is the best part about playing away from home?

Packham: “I think it is the fact that everyone is on the bus together and even just packing your bag or meal prepping gets you excited for an away game. Especially when we are all either in full-time work or education it’s a good chance to catch up with people.”

Newcastle United Women help inspire hundreds of young women and girls taking opportunities to forge a future career in football through pathways into sport with Newcastle United Foundation.

Since officially becoming part of the Foundation in 2017, the squad regularly support coaching sessions, football courses, festivals and fun days across the North East offered through the charity’s dedicated Women’s and Girls’ Football Development programme.

And for the last two years, a strategic partnership between the Foundation and Northumbria University has provided Strength and Conditioning, Performance Analysis and Physiotherapy support for the team.

Daryl Dixon, Head of Sport at Northumbria University, said: “We are proud to be partners with Newcastle United Foundation in support of Newcastle United Women.

“It’s been fantastic to see the success that Newcastle United Women have had on the pitch this season and I’m so proud of the contribution that Northumbria students, staff and alumni have made – be it playing for the team, coaching and conditioning, or support with placements and volunteers.

“I believe that the contributions we are making through our staff expertise in Athlete Support Services as well as the focus we have on player development and recruitment – with coach Becky Langley – to women’s football at Northumbria University will help Newcastle United Women to an even stronger position in the future.”

For more information about the Foundation and programmes near you, follow Newcastle United Foundation on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter for regular news and updates.