Page 3 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.18 2022-23

Kenny Shiels has left his role as manager of the Northern Ireland senior women’s team.
Mr Shiels joined the association in 2019 and guided the senior women’s team to a first
ever major tournament, UEFA Women’s Euro 2022, following a two-legged play-off win over
Ukraine in April 2021.
As a player he represented clubs such as Coleraine, Distillery and Ballymena United in
the Irish League before turning his hand to management. His coaching career has taken him
to clubs as diverse as Carrick Rangers, Moyola Park and BEC Tero Sasana in Thailand and as
Northern Ireland senior women’s team manager he enjoyed unprecedented levels of success.
Shiels said: “I have enjoyed my time as senior women’s manager immensely. I have
worked hard with the players to raise their expectations and change their style of play so that
we were a team to be reckoned with.
“This success has generated record attendance figures at senior women’s games and I
was delighted to see so many of the Green and White Army travel to England to cheer us on
last summer at the Euros.
“I want to thank everyone who has backed me, and the team, during my time as
manager.”
Irish FA CEO Patrick Nelson said: "Kenny’s impact on the women’s and girls’ game in
Northern Ireland has been transformative. Securing that historic qualification to the Euros is
forever etched in Irish FA history.
“We thank Kenny for his contribution to this and the success of the senior women’s team
in recent years.”
Irish FA President Conrad Kirkwood said: “There have been some wonderful
achievements for the senior women’s team under Kenny’s stewardship. We thank him for this
and wish him the best for the future.”

After 15 years and 144 caps, Scotland defender Jen Beattie has announced she will retire from
international football. The talismanic defender has been a mainstay in the Scotland Women’s
National Team for more than a decade, helping guide Scotland to a first major tournament in
2017, followed by qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2019.
Jen made her senior national team debut in March 2008, aged 16, against the United
States in Cyprus. She scored her first goal later that same year in a 4-1 win over Portugal in a
European Championship qualifier. Despite becoming an integral part of the Scotland back
line, Jen had a fruitful foray into an attacking role – memorably scoring against England in a
2-0 victory in 2011. In total, she amassed an impressive 24 goals across her international career.
Despite being a key player in the qualification campaign, injury prevented Jen from
taking part in the 2017 UEFA Women’s European Championships. However, she was named
in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup squad where she went on to score against Argentina in
a 3 -3 draw.
Amongst the many memories and accolades, Jen will be remembered for her
professionalism, talent and courage in a Scotland jersey.
Jen Beattie told www.scottishfa.co.uk: “Representing Scotland has been an absolute
honour and a dream come true.
“Thank you so much to every single staff member and player that has made my
experiences so memorable and enjoyable. I’ve made friends for life.
“I’ve been a part of the national team for almost half of my life and it’s been incredible to
contribute to the growth of the game. I look forward to supporting Scotland from the stands
and I wish Pedro and the team all the best for the future.”
(www.scottishfa.co.uk)
news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk