From role models in the local community, to individuals showing great support and dedication to the game, we wanted to give a special mention to the Game Changers who are making a difference to local sport, especially women’s football in Northern Ireland.
1. Simone Magill
Superstar Simone is an integral part of the Northern Ireland Senior Women team. Her talent as a forward really shone through in 2016, when she defeated Alex Morgan’s World Record for the Fastest International Women's goal ever scored - and is currently still the World Record holder!
In 2017, Simone signed her first full-time professional contract with Everton Women. She was the second Everton player to do so, and the first female Northern Irish Footballer to sign a full-time contract – becoming the first female footballer from Northern Ireland to play for a Premier League Team!
Coming from a supportive and football-mad family, Simone is a fantastic role model and describes just how much women’s football has progressed over the years:
"When I was growing up there weren't many female football players but now girls in Northern Ireland can see players like me as role models. If I can make playing football my career, then they can too."
2. Elaine Junk
Elaine Junk is currently the chair of Mid Ulster Ladies FC and the Electric Ireland Challenge Cup Committee. Elaine is also a former chair of the Northern Ireland Women’s Football Association.
The mum-of-two was the first woman to be elected on to the Mid Ulster Football Association, and also the first woman to win the prestigious People’s Award in 2018, for her work in developing girls and women’s football across Northern Ireland.
3. Gail Redmond
Gail Redmond is the current Irish FA Foundation's Women's Domestic Manager and was the deserving winner of the 2020 Belfast Telegraph Sports Awards Game Changer Award, for her work in promoting women’s sport and football in particular.
As a talented midfielder, Gail captained Northern Ireland and has enjoyed similar success since hanging up her boots, coaching the Glentoran Women's team to a trophy treble in 2019.
Gail Redmond is a true Game Changer for women’s sport, committed to improving all aspects of women’s and girl’s football in Northern Ireland.
Image Source: Irish FA
4. Marissa Callaghan
Not only is Marissa Callaghan a talented footballer, captain for Northern Ireland Senior Women, and a shining role model for the young players that she coaches through the Electric Ireland Shooting Stars Programme in her role at the Irish FA. Marissa is also a huge influence at her own club Cliftonville Ladies.
She is a true Game Changer, both on and off the pitch.
Marissa recently showed her support to the local community, key workers and sports fans across Northern Ireland with her open letter in response to the Covid-19 situation, as well as taking part in social videos for anyone wanting to keep up their football skills at home.
Image Source: Irish News
5. Kenny Shiels
In his current role as manager for the Northern Ireland Senior Women’s team, Kenny Shiels is passionate about developing players. Shiels stated his excitement in taking up the role last year in women’s football - “the fastest growing area of the game”.
Determined to bring success to Northern Ireland, Kenny has a great belief in his players, just as others have the same belief in him. Speaking of Kenny on his appointment to the role, Irish FA Chief Executive Patrick Nelson said:
“Kenny Shiels is a fantastic coach with vast experience in the game. He has the necessary skill-set and knowledge to make a positive difference to our international side. I am excited about watching how he will develop our team and am confident he will help Northern Ireland be successful in the months and years to come.”
6. Nicola McCarthy
Nicola McCarthy is a sports broadcaster and presenter with over a decade of experience working in sport.
Having worked for five years at Manchester City TV, Nicola has reported and commentated extensively on Manchester City women in the Women’s Super League and in Europe. Nicola is a fantastic role model for women in sport, hosting a wealth of experience in the field and helping to grow women’s football. Nicola also takes part in the Irish FA Female Leaders Programme talking to the group about the role of media.
Nicola is now working as a broadcaster with BBC Sport NI and continues to advocate for women’s sport across Northern Ireland.
7. Alfie Wylie
After 15 years of dedication to his role as Northern Ireland Senior Women’s manager, Alfie Wylie was named as the Irish Football Association's first ever Head of Women’s Elite performance last year.
In his current role, Alfie is passionate about and takes responsibility for player development in Northern Ireland, including the Electric Ireland Excellence Programme regional programme, U15, U17 and U19 teams. Alfie’s service to helping grow the game over the last decade is a truly dedicated Game Changer for women’s football in Northern Ireland.
8. Sara Booth
Former Northern Ireland captain Sara Booth was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for her services to women’s football.
Sara represented Northern Ireland for 15 years as a player, winning 32 caps in total for her country and spending four years as captain.
Before delivering the UEFA Women’s Under-19 Championship she worked as the Irish FA’s Women’s Domestic Football Manager for over a decade. She left the Irish FA in January 2018 and is now Head of Women’s Football Competitions at world football’s governing body FIFA. Sara will feature on the Game Changers podcast with Belfast Live – you can find out where HERE.
9. Sue O’Neil
Football has always been a part of Sue O’Neil’s DNA. From scoring her first International goal for “our wee country Norn Ireland”, to taking on the role of Chairperson for NIWFA, we spoke to Sue about her many career highlights and contribution to women’s football.
A proud moment for Sue was successfully campaigning to recognise and honour over 65 women; ex-international players who had not received their caps for playing for Northern Ireland.
Today, Sue is happy to see the standard of the game improving and an increase in young girls taking up the sport, acknowledging that “there are so many opportunities out there for girls to seriously consider a career in football”, if they are dedicated.
10. Lauren Moore
Lauren Moore, is a girls participation officers within the Irish FA. Lauren’s role helps to build on all the amazing work being done in the women's and girls’ game.
The Electric Ireland Shooting Stars programme, looks to create opportunities for girls throughout the country to fall in love with football "focusing on the fun factor, fundamentals for football through girls-only after schools taster sessions and festival days throughout the country". Lauren plays a huge part in doing just that.
Image: Belfast Live
These Game Changers, and many more, are truly shining a light on women’s football in Northern Ireland. Thank you to all Game Changers; players, supporters, fans, parents, and coaches, who are dedicating your efforts to supporting, enjoying and growing the game! Women’s football is on a journey and we wouldn’t be where we are today without you.
Do you have any Game Changers in mind? Let us know over on our social channels and follow the conversation #GameChangersNI.