Colin Jackson: How many national associations are there?

Emily Shaw: There are 53 in the whole of UEFA!

CJ: Wow! How difficult is it to deal with all those different nations?

ES: Well, actually the 53 are split between four country managers of which I'm one and I'm responsible for monitoring projects. Each country is allowed a certain amount of money, generated by profits made from the Euro, to use for football projects and we basically issue them that money.

CJ: How did you get this job?

ES: I was very lucky. In my final year at university I was meant to be finishing an essay and my mum called me and said "I hear there's some openings at UEFA." I said "But I've applied there two or three times before and they always reject me."

As a footballer, it's always been a dream job. My mum kept nagging me to send my CV in so I sent it to a contact at UEFA, who'd already rejected me, and he replied within ten minutes to say they needed a temp for the summer and I was in.

I had applied before for internship as I knew I was coming to the end of my university career. Maybe that's why they accepted me finally as a competent temp? After that, there was an opening internally for a position, the position I've got now, and I've been doing that ever since.

CJ: As you mentioned previously, you actually play football, don't you?

ES: Yes, I've played ever since I was little. I had two older brothers so they obviously influenced me, but I just love football. I grew up in this region and when I was younger I'd drive past here with my dad and I'd say 'I'd love to work there, I really hope I will one day,' and now I'm here.

CJ: What position do you play?

ES: I play striker. Actually, in women's football, I've always been a bit of a sprinter. I used to do athletics when I was younger and in women's football if you've got a bit of pace on you, it can make a little bit of a difference, so playing up front tends to be my position.

CJ: What's it like being a woman working in football?

ES: I haven't had any issues to be honest, but there are less women working in football. There's definitely a shift that's happening at the moment. It's growing tremendously on the pitch, with more and more girls playing. I think it's one of the most rapidly growing sports in the world, especially in Europe, and I think in the administration in UEFA as well.

For girls who are thinking of coming into this industry, regardless of gender to be honest, I would say you have to really want it and then you will get it.

CJ: What's the most difficult thing that you have to deal with on a daily basis here in UEFA?

ES: I think the level of detail in double checking the application forms we receive, checking that it's in order, making sure it's FIFA star approved and that the order is carried out. That or maybe turning down going for coffee because you're very tempted because of the beautiful view here. (laughs!)

CJ: You're right on Lake Geneva here at UEFA. When you first came into work here did you have to pinch yourself thinking 'I cannot believe I'm going to work in this building'?

ES: In the beginning I didn't have a car so I'd get the bus and I'd have to walk a little way here. I don't know if you've seen the garden, but there's just a gorgeous view as you come in, and to me it says 'Welcome to Football'. For me it's the dream job, so I really did have to pinch myself at the beginning.

CJ: What motivates you on a regular basis?

ES: I focus on the next steps that I have to take and adapting to more responsibilities. On top of my normal routine, I've been doing a very intensive venue director course.

This additional responsibility has added depth to my day-to-day job. It involves ensuring that the game gets kicked off on time and making sure the centralised marketing concept is implemented onsite. This means that you are actually at the core of what UEFA does, which is football on the pitch, which is an amazing feeling.

CJ: What is it like working in this kind of environment where you can play football, meet new people and sometimes you actually see some of the sporting stars coming into the office?

ES: It's quite surreal actually. Quite recently, we had an elite coaching meeting, so Arsene Wenger, Sir Alex Ferguson and Luiz Felipe Scolari were here. I just had to send a little email to my dad saying 'Arsene Wenger just walked in!' It's really special to work here.