PERSONAL INFORMATION

CLUB HISTORY

• Heart of Midlothian WFC | Youth – …
• Motherwell FC Women | 2025 – (loan)

INTERVIEW

Introduce yourself…

Hello my name is Orla Burn and I am 16 years old. I play for Motherwell FC in the Women’s SWPL 1 and I am on loan from Heart of Midlothian FC. I am studying for my Highers at School. I am also a member of West Lothian Clarion Cycling Club and try to compete in races around my football.

What kind of defensive traits or skills do you hope to bring consistently to the team?

I think I am physically strong which helps me in a 1v1 situation and defensive duels.

You made your SWPL debut at just 15 — how did you adapt to the pace and physicality of senior women’s football so quickly?

I have been lucky to be training with the Hearts Women’s First team and in pre-season with them which has helped. I also think the fact that I played in a team with boys at club and school from 4 years old until I was nearly 15 years old has also helped me prepare for the speed and physicality of the SWPL.

Balancing school, sport, and personal life can be challenging—how do you maintain that balance?

It is tricky at times, especially when I am missing school when I am away with the national team and I have time out each week to train with Hearts Women. I think I am quite organised, and I try to use my time well. I’ve always liked to keep busy so that helps too.

Have there been moments when you doubted yourself? How did you push through and keep performing?

I think I have been fortunate to be quite resilient and not let things get to me or doubt myself. I think you have to be confident and believe in yourself. There will always be challenges along the way but they can help you improve or develop. I am lucky I’ve got my family, coaches and older teammates I feel I can chat things through.

You came through the Hearts youth system — how did that environment shape you as both a player and a person?

I think having the support system such as strength and conditioning, sport science, and I think being able to play up age levels helped me too, playing with older players throughout my time in academy.

What’s the biggest difference you’ve noticed between training at Hearts’ academy and training with Motherwell’s first team?

Training with senior players is more intense, physical and faster, which I really like there is also a lot more competition which pushes me to work harder.

What do you hope to take from your experiences at Motherwell back into your future at Hearts?

I think at this stage I hope to gain good game time in the league so I can build on the game experience for Motherwell and Hearts in the future.

What personal targets have you set for yourself during this loan season at Motherwell?

I want to work hard to earn game time. Keep improving my individual attributes and develop as a player and person especially playing in a different game style and different coaches and players. I want to also find myself scoring goals too.