Jackie Burns, Northern Ireland's first-choice goalkeeper, has revealed she is already looking beyond her playing days despite continuing to thrive between the posts for club and country. The 29-year-old, who recently completed a move to newly-promoted Women's Super League 2 side Burnley, says she wants to remain involved in the game once her playing career comes to an end.
Burns has enjoyed a well-travelled career spanning 15 years, featuring spells in Iceland, Canada and Sweden before her switch to Burnley from Bristol City this summer. That globe-trotting experience has given her a first-hand understanding of the difficulties players can face when relocating to a new country, and it is this insight that has shaped her ambitions for life after retirement.
Rather than pursuing a coaching path, Burns says she is drawn towards a player-welfare role, focusing on the personal side of a footballer's journey rather than tactics or technique. "I have definitely thought about it. I still want to be a part of football in whatever aspect that may be," she said. "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. 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."
The goalkeeper's desire to support others through the practical and emotional challenges of moving clubs and countries stems from her own experiences. Having represented clubs across three continents, Burns knows how daunting it can be to settle into unfamiliar surroundings, even for established professionals. She explained that seemingly small logistical hurdles - like finding accommodation or arranging transport - can quickly become significant sources of stress for players new to a country.
"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," Burns said. "It's basic stuff like getting a house or a car which can be quite complicated if you're not from that country. If you have someone in a club who can help take that stress off you, it just makes the experience a lot easier."
Burns credited Burnley's approach to player welfare as a key factor in her decision to join the club this summer. She said the willingness of the Clarets to back her post-playing career aspirations made her feel valued not just as a goalkeeper, but as a person. "[I want to] feel heard as a person and they really inspire me in that aspect," she said.
The 29-year-old believes that this kind of behind-the-scenes support often goes unnoticed but can make a significant difference to how players adapt to a new environment. "It can go unseen sometimes. For a lot of players, as soon as they feel valued, it just turns into an easier experience," Burns added.
As she settles into life at Burnley following her departure from Bristol City, Burns remains focused on her performances as Northern Ireland's number one. But her comments make clear that she is already laying the groundwork for a future in the sport that extends well beyond her playing days, with an emphasis on ensuring players are looked after both on and off the pitch.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport Football.