Kristen Sample appointed Shelbourne FC Community Officer | OneFootball

Shelbourne FC is delighted to announce the appointment of Kristen Sample as the club’s new Community Officer.

Kristen brings a wealth of experience in football, both on and off the pitch. She will work alongside Tony O’Neill, leading the Reds community engagement programmes.

Originally from Canada, Sample first arrived in Ireland in 2010, playing with Raheny United alongside several future and former Shels players, including Katie McCabe, Rachael Graham, and Seana Cooke.

That same year, she worked with Sport Against Racism Ireland (SARI), helping to organise their street football world competition and community sports programmes.

In her new role, Sample will focus specifically on women’s and girls’ football, with a view to growing the game in north Dublin, strengthening community ties, and welcoming the next generation of fans to Tolka Park on Saturdays.

After completing a master’s degree at Durham University, where she played for the university team, Kristen’s coaching career took her across the world.

She set up her own coaching company in the United States, worked with clubs in Portugal and Finland, and coached professionally in Saudi Arabia.

In 2022, she returned to Ireland to play for Sligo Rovers in their inaugural season in the Women’s Premier Division, before stepping into a coaching role at the club, helping integrate the women’s team into community outreach programmes.

Most recently, she was part of Brooklyn FC’s inaugural season, where she held multiple coaching and analysis roles, including interim head coach.

Speaking on her appointment, Kristen Sample said: “To represent Shelbourne, one of the strongest Irish clubs in men’s, women’s, and academy football, is an incredible honour. I have followed the club’s success over the years both domestically and internationally, and I look forward to getting to know the people within the club and the wider community who contribute to its identity and success.”

Tomás Quinn, Shelbourne FC CEO said: “We are delighted to welcome Kristen Sample to Shelbourne as our new Community Officer. Kristen brings a wealth of experience in community engagement and a deep passion for using football to build connections and relationships. Her commitment to inclusivity, youth development, and building meaningful local partnerships aligns perfectly with our mission both on and off the pitch.

As we continue to strengthen our ties with supporters and the broader community, Kristen will play a key role in driving initiatives that reflect our values and bring people together through sport. We look forward to the positive impact she will make in the months and years ahead.”