The Game Changers

Charlotte O'Neill & Esme Morgan: Leading the way on & off the pitch

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Episode notes

It’s a very special one-off episode of The Game Changers podcast today featuring two trailblazing women from Man City Women, as the club celebrates its 10th professional season in the WSL. 

The Man City Women’s story combines success on the pitch with continued progression off the field, as the club continues to break new boundaries, playing a significant role in the growth of the women’s game.  

It was a privilege to talk with Esme Morgan, a much-celebrated young defender with Man City and England, and Charlotte O’Neill, Managing Director at Man City Women.

Esme Morgan was a lifelong City fan who joined the club at under 15 level and quickly progressed through the regional talent squad into the Man City Women’s first team. 

A Lioness who has featured throughout all youth levels of the England national team set-up, Esme was first called up to the under-17 England team in 2017. She won her first England senior cap in October 2022 and was included in the FIFA Women's World Cup squad in 2023. 

Charlotte O’Neill, the Managing Director of Man City Women, is a former England and Super League netballer who held key positions at British Swimming, the Olympic Games in Beijing and London, and the Rugby World Cup before joining Manchester City in 2015. 

As Director of Operations and Development, Charlotte oversaw strategic direction and delivery at Man City’s Boys’ Academy and was appointed Managing Director of Man City Women in December 2023. 

It was fascinating to hear from these two incredible women as they openly shared their career stories and experiences at Man City. 

A big thank you to Nissan, a long-term partner of Man City Women across the past decade, for sponsoring this special episode.

Abbie Ward. A Bump in the Road  a powerful documentary, chronicles the remarkable journey of an England rugby player as she battles back to the professional game just 17 weeks after the birth of her baby in July 2023 and then to secure her place back in England’s Six Nations squad for 2024. 

Watch now
UK on ITVX: https://www.itv.com/watch/abbie-ward-a-bump-in-the-road/10a5679a0001B
Worldwide on RugbyPass TV: https://rugbypass.tv/video/6069

Thank you to Sport England who support The Game Changers Podcast with a National Lottery award.

Find out more about The Game Changers podcast here: https://www.fearlesswomen.co.uk/thegamechangers

Hosted by Sue Anstiss
Produced by Sam Walker, What Goes On Media

A Fearless Women production