After speaking with Siobhan Chamberlain, we found out that Siobhan's background in football was not as simple as some may think.
When Siobhan was growing up, opportunities for girls in football were few and far between. For many young women, a career in football felt out of reach, professional female players were rarely seen or heard of. Thankfully, the landscape has changed. Today, women have the chance to play professionally, but this progress didn’t happen overnight. It’s the result of tireless efforts from teams and organisations like the English Schools Football Association, who have worked hard to ensure that every athlete, regardless of gender, is given an equal opportunity to pursue a career in the sport.
That’s why we’re proud to partner with ESFA. Their dedication to the growth of women’s football is clear, and they continue to push the game forward by creating real opportunities for young players of all genders to shine. Whether it’s through top-level coaching or providing access to proper training resources—including a custom football kit tailored for each team—these opportunities are making a lasting impact.
Siobhan never thought that football could be a career path possible for a young woman who also had a desire for education. Siobhan Chamberlain always believed that you had to be either academic or “sporty” as this is what she was told from a very young age. This then led Siobhan Chamberlain to prioritise being academic as this is where she strived. Siobhan lived in a generation where it was thought you had to be one or the other rather than both. However, due to her great love for football, Siobhan chose to start playing football as a goalkeeper from the age of 14.
We want to make further changes to this perspective of women in football. This is why we have joined forces with the ESFA, who offer young girls and boys the opportunity to play football at a high level while also prioritising education. We believe education or playing football shouldn’t be a choice any young individual has to make. To support this movement, O’Neills is proud to supply custom football kits that empowers the ESFA players to look and feel their best on and off the pitch.
Siobhan’s football background:
Siobhan played at Chelsea in 2003, and later, Chamberlain left Chelsea for Fulham. She also played in the UEFA Women's Cup. She then moved to Birmingham City, competing with Jo Fletcher during the 2004-05 season. After two seasons at Bristol Academy, she rejoined Chelsea in 2007. In 2010, she left Chelsea to sign with the Canadian W-League's Vancouver Whitecaps. In December 2013, Chamberlain left Bristol Academy and signed a two-year contract with Arsenal, where she would compete with the current goalkeeper, Emma Byrne, for the starting spot. Having played every minute of every game during her three seasons at Bristol, Chamberlain was eager for a new challenge. She expressed, "My ambition is to become England's number one, and the added competition at Arsenal is exactly what I need at this stage of my career."
Along with her amazing career as a young player, she also played for Liverpool, Manchester United, and England. Siobhan’s football history shows the dedication she put into the game. She strived for success, making what she thought was impossible a reality. Siobhan had a dream of being England's number one, and that dream was achieved. Chamberlain was selected for England's squad for the 2007 World Cup. In May 2009, she became one of the first 17 female players to receive central contracts from The Football Association.
Why O’Neills partnered with ESFA:
Our collaboration with the ESFA aims to enhance the experience of school football across England by providing high-quality custom football kits and bespoke teamwear. This partnership not only provides teams with professional-grade football squad kits but also underscores a shared dedication to promoting youth participation and excellence in school football across the country.
For more information on our teamwear click here