Turning 21, achieving a First-Class Honours degree in Sports Coaching and Performance, and now a first professional contract. It’s been a few weeks to celebrate for West Ham United women’s team goalkeeper Katie O’Hanlon.
With her proud parents in attendance, the shot-stopper committed her future in east London by penning a two-year contract and is ready to embark on her first campaign as a professional footballer.
The hard work has paid off for O’Hanlon, who before joining the Club’s Professional Game Academy in 2022 was balancing education, working in a restaurant and training as she strived to achieve her dream.
Following loan spells at Hashtag United and Billericay Town, O’Hanlon returned to Chadwell Heath and was integrated into the goalkeeping union - spearheaded by goalkeeping coach Chris Pipe. Joining Pipe and fellow shot-stoppers Kinga Szemik and Megan Walsh, O’Hanlon has been a sponge, soaking up every last piece of information and developing day by day.
Speaking to West Ham TV after signing on the dotted line, she described herself as the younger sister in the group. But now, the youngest sibling has turned professional and is relishing the opportunity to be part of Rehanne Skinner's squad for 2025/26.
Katie, congratulations on signing a professional contract with West Ham United! How does it feel to be a professional?
"Honestly, amazing. To be honest, I don't think it's fully sunk in for me yet, but I'm just feeling really grateful and really proud to reach this milestone in my career."
Can you talk us through your footballing journey up until this point?
"I mean, it seems like such a long time ago now, when all of this started, but I started playing football in school with the boys. I was rubbish at everything else, so they chucked me in goal. You get quite good after a while!
"Then I moved to a local girls team called Colebrook Royals, in my area. Then I went to trial for Arsenal Academy, where I stayed for three years, then moved to Chelsea Academy, then Tottenham Academy, then here when I was about 16, 17. And I've been here ever since!"
You joined West Ham in 2022 as part of the Club’s Professional Game Academy. What was it like to be part of it and what did you learn there?
"At the beginning, I found the transition into first-team football really difficult, for me personally.
"I just felt like everything I knew about football I just didn't know anymore. I just learned to deal with those challenges, balancing my full-time football with my degree, working a job in a restaurant as well.
"I mean, looking at that experience, I had so many good experiences: travelling with the first team, seeing some amazing stadiums, making matchday squads. I think I just learned from all the players and the staff around me to really get my confidence up.
"I was just like a sponge, just taking it all in and I just plan to do that going forward."
You mentioned you were balancing education, work and training. So how proud do you feel now to be able to have signed that professional contract?
"I'm going to have a lot more free time, I think!
"To make that transition into the first team, I think all the players and staff have never treated me any different to any other first-team player. So, I don't think it's going to be too different in that sense, but I am excited to get going for my first time as a professional."
You spent time on loan at Hashtag United and Billericay Town. What did you learn from those experiences?
"Hashtag was a short, three-game spell after an emergency loan. Looking back at that time, I just feel like I was so young then. I feel like it was probably just good to get some exposure to some game time at that time.
"Billericay is probably where I learned most about myself as a player in terms of game time and playing.
"The season at Billericay was tough, it was really tough. We had to stick together as a group of players and really persevere. I got a lot of exposure, a lot of game time. I had loads of opportunities to learn, to do good things, make mistakes, and I just felt like I learned every single game.
"I just felt like that was a really valuable experience for me personally."
How much do you feel like you've benefited from those loan experiences, comparing yourself from when you first went on loan to Hashtag United, to now?
"If you were to ask me what I was like as a player before doing that (going on loan), I'd honestly struggle to answer it. Now, I feel like I just know more about myself and small things, like how I prepare, what different preparations make me feel more ready for a game compared to other people, for example.
"I've just learned so much on the pitch and off the pitch as well."
Returning to West Ham, what have you learnt from working with goalkeeping coach Chris Pipe and other goalkeepers with a wealth of experience on the international stage?
"I really like Chris. I've worked with Chris for a long time now. I like his coaching style. I also had a lot of time to look over game footage of my time on loan with Chris as well, so I'm really grateful for that.
"Chris has got a good balance of telling you if you've done something well but also holding you accountable if you've done something wrong.
"The other goalies, I think that [training with them] is just invaluable. I'm so lucky to have trained with some of the best in the world over my time here. It's the small one per cents and the small details that you learn from them of what it takes to not only be a professional in the WSL, but on the international stage as well."
As goalkeepers, you train a lot of the time away from the main squad. So as a goalkeepers' union at West Ham, how close are you?
"I think we have a really good relationship. I think we are all quite different, but I think we complement each other and we work well together.
"I'm kind of the baby of the group, so they're always giving me advice, telling me if I've done something well. Again, holding me accountable if I've done something not so well. I just feel like I'm probably their annoying sister or something, the younger one. That's how I feel, but we have got a good relationship."
That moves us on quite nicely - how would you describe yourself as a player, and a person as well?
"On a matchday, I'd say I'm an effective shot-stopper. I've got a good passing range and I'm a communicator as well. I'm just committed to keeping the ball out of the net. I know that sounds stupid, but that's what I'm committed to doing!
"On the training ground, I'm definitely a hard worker. I'm always looking to improve every single time. I turn quite social as well, up for a bit of banter, but I know when it's time to work as well. I try to set a good example to those even younger than me in the environment. I hope I do a good job."
How much are you looking forward to being back with the squad and getting the preparations underway for next season?
"I'm really excited. It'll be good to see everyone, have everybody back in the building after some time off. I'm excited to create something really exciting together ahead of a new season."
You’ve just turned 21, you’ve just signed your first professional contract, and you’ve just got a First-Class Honours degree in Sports Coaching and Performance, in partnership with West Ham United Foundation. What a few weeks it’s been for you!
"I mean, all good things just come in threes! Honestly, I feel like, again, it's not all really sunk in for me, but I'm really proud to be here and I feel like now I can just focus fully on football. I'm really, really excited to do that."
Lastly, is there anyone you'd like to thank for helping you get to this point in your career? You've got your parents here today, or it could be former coaches, players?
"Again, the list is just so long. Honestly, without my mum and dad, who are here today, I would not be sat here. That is the truth.
"My dad driving me, my mum driving me, aunties, families, everyone. All my family and friends keeping me sane away from football. Teachers, lecturers, everyone! I definitely think I'm a product of my environment.
"Everyone around me, all the other players telling me when I've done something wrong, that's what gets you to where you are. I'm honestly grateful to everyone, absolutely everyone that has impacted this journey - whether it's one per cent or 50 per cent, I'm absolutely grateful."
