Stephanie Zambra: We had the TV wheeled into our classroom to watch Sonia O’Sullivan’s race
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Her name is synonymous with the 2013 goal that saw her honoured on the global stage as runner-up at the prestigious FIFA Puskás awards for the best goal of the year, but now Shamrock Rover’s striker, Stephanie Zambra (née Roche) is hoping to inspire passion for the beautiful games with a whole new generation of champions.
She and her footballer husband, Dean, run coaching academies for boys and girls around the country to develop their football skills. “I absolutely love it,” says the Dubliner. We are speaking after Stephanie has done a day’s coaching, and you can hear the joy in her voice when she talks about it.
“I think it’s so important for the kids to enjoy it, to be with friends and maybe even be future stars. I do sometimes feel as if I have a responsibility to keep these kids in sport.”
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Football keeps me naturally fit. I’m training full time with Rovers so that keeps me very busy. I’ve been involved in football for so many years but pre-season training never gets easier.
It depends if I’m on or off-season. My off-season programme sees me have breakfast, chill for half an hour, go to the gym, coach in schools in the afternoon and often go to the gym again. On-season training you don’t get too much time for yourself. My husband also plays football. We’ve been together 15 years, so we are used to balancing each other’s schedules but it’s not always easy to get the time to ourselves doing something that’s not focused around football.
Football in one way or another. If I’m not coaching or playing, I’m watching matches, and working on punditry. My friends say I’m obsessed with football, and they are right.
Making sure I have breakfast. It can be so busy in the mornings and it’s easy to get into the habit of just rushing out the door. Now, especially as I grow older, nutrition is something I really try to focus on.
I love a good takeaway. I also have a sweet tooth and love a good dessert. If we are out for dinner, it’s me who always looks for the dessert menu.
Just the stresses of life really. Obviously, we are running our own business and I’m still playing a decent level in Ireland and have ambassador roles, but I’d often be thinking about my next day and what I’m juggling.
I love going to the cinema or finding good series on and chilling on the couch.
Growing up, I mainly had male role models because female athletes weren’t given much coverage. One I remember highlighted in media was Sonia O’Sullivan. We had had the TV wheeled into our classroom to watch Sonia race.
Please don’t think I’m mad but I have always liked the smell of petrol.
I cried randomly to my husband the other day about football and the future.
Look after your body. Your health is your wealth.
I don’t like two-faced people or seeing anyone make people feel uncomfortable. I try to read the whole situation and be fair and understanding to everyone.
I suppose I can lack a bit of confidence.
I do, but not every day.
My nieces and nephews - 100 per cent.
I was lucky to have met Roy Keane recently, and I was across the table at a dinner listening to him, which was amazing as I’ve always looked up to him. I’d also invite Katie Taylor, I’ve chatted to her before, but I’d love to talk more about her achievements.
Yes, I think more of us are starting to try to do the right thing, especially as we hear more about it.
'Control the controllable'. That’s something of a mantra that I’ve carried through my career. I’ve played in so many different environments and countries and I’ve learnt that all I can do is control what I do and how I present myself.
Home. I’ve been away so much with football, there’s no better place than here.