Shannon's shining 'I'M REACHING ALL MY GOALS'

The footballer is spreading her wellbeing message, saying it's never too late

- Catherine Milford

Shannon Moloney is a firecracker. At 34, her skin glows like a teenager's, she exudes infectious energy and talks a hundred miles an hour.

Currently based in Hong Kong, the Brit recently toured schools and football clubs across New Zealand as part of an AIA NZ campaign encouraging Kiwi kids to lead healthier lives by staying active through sport.

And Shannon's putting a fire in the belly of the people she meets. She has everyone laughing with a story about 80 corporates having an egg and spoon race during one of her teaching sessions in Hong Kong, and getting adults to compete in wheelbarrow races as part of her job.

“I’m quite an upbeat and happy person,” says Shannon, who played midfielder for Tottenham Hotspur from 2013 to 2018. “If I can inspire girls to follow their dreams, look after their bodies and give a bit of joy, why wouldn’t I?”

After her professional playing days were over, Shannon trained as a teacher and moved to Asia. She was teaching physical education in Thailand in 2020 when Spurs asked her to help them increase female participation in football and sport, and encourage kids through movement.

“I loved my work in Thailand, but it was a no-brainer,” she laughs of joining the sporting giant.

Raised by a single mum in West London, Shannon grew up being the only girl in football teams.