Katie Shanahan, a familiar face covering the Lionesses for ITV at Euro 2025, has a sporting pedigree that goes beyond journalism. The reporter is a former England international – but in hockey, not football.
Shanahan spent five years playing for England Hockey before earning a sports scholarship to the University of North Carolina. That connection has helped her build rapport with England manager Sarina Wiegman, who also attended UNC. 'We spoke about North Carolina for about five minutes,' Shanahan recalled.
Now a dedicated Lionesses reporter, Shanahan uses her own experience as an athlete to foster trust with players. She says she always asks herself if a question is fair, mindful of their vulnerability post-match. 'Because of the relationship I have with the players and Sarina, I hope they feel they can trust me,' she added.
Shanahan has covered five major tournaments for ITV, including the men's World Cup in Qatar. She believes her hockey background gives her confidence when analysing top players, and helps her understand the pressures elite athletes face day to day.
