Northern Ireland keeper Jackie Burns plans for life after football

Northern Ireland goalkeeper Jackie Burns is currently the number one for her country and has just signed for Burnley, but she is already thinking about her next steps. At 29, Burns knows that her playing career will eventually end, and she is taking proactive steps to prepare for a new career beyond the pitch.

Over the past 15 years, Burns has gained experience playing in leagues across the world, including stints in Iceland, Canada, and Sweden. Along the way, she has faced challenges off the pitch as well as on it, and she wants to use that experience to help future players in similar situations.

Preparing for the future

Speaking about life after football, Burns said: "I have definitely thought about it. I still want to be a part of football in whatever aspect that may be."

She envisions a role focused on player care rather than the technical side of the game. "It will probably be in more of a player-care role, just helping players as they progress through a team, and not so much on the football aspect," she explained. "It's just making sure they are comfortable so it's not a challenge for them coming in. They are a player in a team - but a person too."

Why Burnley?

Burns chose to join newly-promoted Women's Super League 2 club Burnley this summer after leaving Bristol City. She hopes to use her experience to help others settle in and said a big part of her decision to join was Burnley's willingness to support her post-career ambitions. The goalkeeper feels that support from Burnley puts "value on her" as a person.

"[I want to] feel heard as a person and they really inspire me in that aspect," said Burns. "I've been to a few places and while you're always excited to go, sometimes it can be a challenge. You don't know what way things work."

Overcoming off-pitch hurdles

Burns highlighted the practical difficulties players face when moving to a new country. "It's basic stuff like getting a house or a car which can be quite complicated if you're not from that country," she said. "If you have someone in a club who can help take that stress off you, it just makes the experience a lot easier."

She believes that such support is often overlooked. "It can go unseen sometimes. For a lot of players, as soon as they feel valued, it just turns into an easier experience."