With two doctors, one pharmacologist, a psychologist and a teacher, the Ireland Women's National team has a proud tradition with players who balance their footballing careers with third-level education.
The current squad is no different, with 23 members of the 26-player panel having attended third-level education.
As a squad, the group are proud of their accomplishments and collectively promotes the importance of education.
That Selfie 📸#COYGIG | #OUTBELIEVE pic.twitter.com/IwicM5UgEb
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) July 18, 2023
“When I was starting out in football, becoming a full-time professional player was still in the early stages so having education as a fall-back had to be part of my decision-making,” said Niamh Fahey.
Before completing her dream move to Arsenal, Fahey attended the University of Galway to study for a Bsc in Pharmacology. Following the move, the Galway native transferred to the University of Hertfordshire to complete an Msc in Pharmacology.
She has earned 108 senior caps and ditched the attitude of education being a ‘fall-back’ option, now recognising it as vital to her future. Now at Liverpool, she is in the middle of completing an MBA in International Business at John Moores University.
“I’ve been very fortunate to have enjoyed so many great experiences by playing football and I hope the best is still to come with the World Cup,” she added.
“I know though that I can’t keep playing forever so starting a second career has to be on my mind and I have been doing a lot of work to prepare for that.
“I believe It is something everyone should keep in mind. Absolutely pursue your goal of becoming a professional footballer, if that is what you want, but don’t discount the importance of education and the long-term avenues that it can open up.”
23 of the 26 players in Australia with Ireland WNT 🇮🇪 have attended third level college.
Balancing education with football has been a key part of their journey 📚 + ⚽️
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) July 18, 2023
The hero of Hampden Park, Amber Barrett, shares that perspective. Hailing from Donegal, she completed a BA in English & History at Maynooth University before earning a Msc in Education (Secondary School Teaching) at Dublin City University.
With her qualifications secured, Barrett felt that the time was right to take that leap into the unknown by joining FC Koln in Germany. Since then she has amassed 36 senior caps, scoring seven goals – including that famous World Cup-qualifying strike away to Scotland in a Play-Off in Hampden Park.
“It doesn’t have to be one or the other when it comes to football and education. Yes, there are a lot of demands involved with playing at an elite level but it is most certainly worth the time that you invest in studying alongside it,” said Barrett.
Several Irish colleges offer sports scholarships to aspiring footballers, while the BA Sports & Management course at South East Technological University (SETU) has proved to be particularly popular with several members of the WNT squad in recent years.
Many Irish colleges offer sports-specific courses that will also appeal to secondary school students considering their CAO options or others taking on post-graduate opportunities.
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