Scottish football great recognised with University honour
Wednesday 11 December 2024
Jennifer Beattie MBE, former player for Arsenal, Manchester City and Scotland, was awarded a Doctor of Science (DSc) Honorary Degree to add to a growing amount of individual and team accolades.
Born in Glasgow, Jen Beattie began playing in boys clubs prior to joining Queens Park and then Celtic before quickly cementing herself as a mainstay in the national team. Having made a move south, the centre-back went on to win multiple FA Women's Super Leagues with both Arsenal and Manchester City in addition to several FA and League Cup titles.
Currently plying her trade at Bay FC in San Francisco, she also won an A-League title in Australia with Melbourne City and enjoyed a successful year in France with Montpellier. Progressing her career through a boom in women’s football worldwide, including particularly in the UK, Jen Beattie is widely regarded as one of Scotland’s best – emphasised by her 143 Scotland appearances over a 14-year period, including playing and scoring in the 2019 World Cup.
In 2020, the footballer was diagnosed with breast cancer. Having undergone successful surgery, she continued playing throughout and in 2021 won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Helen Rollason Award for her for outstanding achievements in the face of adversity. Just last month she was also awarded Overall Winner of the 2024 Lauren Holiday Impact Award for her outstanding community service within the breast cancer community in both the Bay Area and UK.
Professor Steve Olivier, Principal and Vice-Chancellor at RGU, said: “Jen Beattie is a stellar example of how far hard work and determination, alongside clear natural ability, can take someone. Not only has she proved to be a fantastic footballer, she is also a leader and a tremendous fighter through seriously difficult challenges.
“The University is honoured to recognise her in this way and her career successes, both on and off the pitch, stand as tremendous inspiration to our students who we hope will all become equally successful in their own right as global citizens.”
On her award in Aberdeen, she said: “I am extremely honoured to receive this award from Robert Gordon University. When I started my football career, I could never have imagined the success I have gone on to enjoy on the pitch, let alone moments like this off it. I am truly humbled to be recognised for my career in this way.”
Last year, she was awarded an MBE in the 2023 New Year Honours. Off the field, Jen has hosted podcasts and also worked in a more business and marketing role at Arsenal.
During much of her career with the national team, the footballer was partnered in defence alongside Aberdonian RGU alumna and fellow Honorary Degree recipient Rachel Corsie.
Jennifer Beattie MBE was recognised with a Doctor of Science (honoris causa) award at P&J Live, Aberdeen on Tuesday 10 December 2024.