For Irish footballer Saoirse Noonan, the idea to set up her own clothing business was something that came to her during lockdown.
“When lockdown came, I had loads of free time. I’d created a few ideas already and I always had said that like, I’d like to have my own stuff. And so I’d just started putting things together, using my time in the mornings to do a few designs and write a few names out; think of a few things that I’d like to do.
Saoirse was recently named one of the recipients of the inaugural Sky WNT Fund. The bursary, which was unveiled on International Women’s Day earlier this year, aims to support members of the senior women’s team on their paths — academic or career-wise — outside of football.Saoirse opened up about the reaction to Freedom Clothing so far — and how she’s “enjoying the process” of growing the brand.
“Then, after Christmas, we took time off and took the foot off the gas a little bit. I was focusing on myself and my own rehab after an injury. “Everyone’s been so helpful — family and friends — and everything’s been so good. But you can only ask for so many favours, so that’s obviously where the bursary comes in and plays its part.
She said, ”Doing your own business, I think, is a 24/7 job really — and I’d be someone who never wants to have a high screen time. I’d always be trying to keep it low, and reminding myself, ‘don’t be on your phone’. “I think that’s been a bit hard for me to not be able to do that — but so far, so good. And hopefully we can keep going in the right direction.”