Simone, who plays for Birmingham City Women’s First Team and captains the Northern Ireland national team, returned to the Ormskirk campus to collect her doctorate. She was accompanied by her first child, 8-week-old Skye, and husband Mark who she met while studying at Edge Hill.
Simone, originally from Magherafelt in Northern Ireland and now settled in Southport, said: “I’ve always had to juggle football and studying, ever since my GCSEs, but completing a PhD while playing football professionally has probably been my greatest challenge. Until motherhood that is.
“It’s been a true test of my discipline, determination and resilience, which has pushed me further than ever before and challenged me to my limits. That’s why I’m incredibly proud of myself for completing my PhD.”
Simone’s association with Edge Hill stretches back to 2013 when, aged 18, she moved across the Irish sea to sign for Everton, who were then a part-time club.
“Edge Hill was a great place for my education journey. I’d signed for Everton so Edge Hill was a great base to continue my passion of playing football and trying to make it into the professional game.”
Keen to continue her education while pursuing her football career, Simone enrolled on Edge Hill’s BSc Sports Coaching degree. Postgraduate study by way of a research masters in Coach Education followed and she still didn’t want to leave. She is now celebrating the completion of her PhD on the use of video-based coaching practices by senior professional football coaches.
After more than 150 appearances for Everton, Simone moved to Aston Villa in 2022, followed by a transfer across to Birmingham City in August 2024.
Now 31, Simone hopes her experience of playing, studying and raising a family can inspire the next generation of female footballers.
“When I was growing up I didn’t have a lot of active female role models to look up to in the industry I wanted to chase. Obviously the landscape has changed and young girls have better access to women’s football now and are able to watch. I’m a big believer in ‘if they see it, they can become it’”.
“I want to prove you can be a footballer, and you can study, and you can have a family, you can do all these things at the same time and get to the top in each of them. You don’t have to just stick to one thing.”
Simone’s ambitions include becoming a club director so she can help “shape and direct” the development of the women’s game.
“I’ve come through pathways, tried to break down barriers and inspire the next generation, so it would be a role that would be quite fitting for the journey I’ve been on.
Edge Hill has remained a special place for Magill and she was thrilled to return to campus for graduation.
“Edge Hill has certainly shaped the direction and trajectory of my life. I met my husband Mark and my best friend Rebecca here, she was the maid of honour at my wedding.
“When deciding where I wanted to study, Edge Hill stood out to me the most, the grounds and the overall campus was beautiful and was unlike any other universities that I looked at.
“I really enjoyed the full student experience including living on campus so it was amazing to come back here with Mark and my daughter Skye. What happened for me at Edge Hill is just really special.”
Find out more about sport and physical activity programmes at Edge Hill University.
July 21, 2026
