Naomi Bedeau: Breaking Barriers, Building Belonging and Leading Her Own Path

Naomi Bedeau has become a recognisable figure to those who regularly follow the FA Women’s National League in recent years. Currently serving as captain of Oxford United, a club competing in Tier 3, she spoke with us about her professional journey both on and off the pitch and about the values she continues to champion throughout her career.

Some football journeys begin on the sidelines or school fields. For Bedeau, it began somewhere she never expected.

“I used to do dance, drama, singing… but I struggled to socialise when I was younger,” she recalls. “One day I turned around and joined the boys’ team at my local club.”

It helped that her best friend loved football too. What started as a way to connect with others, soon became central to her life.

Early Inspiration and Support

Growing up, Naomi found inspiration in Rachel Yankey , a pioneer of the women’s game in England with 129 senior caps and the first woman to sign a professional contract with Fulham.

Off the pitch, her mum played a crucial role, supporting every training session, trial and long motorway journey. As a youth player, Bedeau was travelling nearly two hours each way for academy football. “It was a strain on my family,” she says. “Opportunities existed, but they weren’t always accessible.”

Despite progressing through competitive setups at Ipswich Town (16-18), Stoke City (20-22) and Wolves (22) in her early days, Bedeau didn’t initially see football as a long-term career.

“Even at university I didn’t think football would ever become a career,” she says. “I had postgraduate jobs lined up after my Master’s.”

Then came an unexpected opportunity: a full-time contract with Newcastle United just as she finished university. “It was a surreal moment,” she reflects. “I’d always played for enjoyment, and suddenly it became a genuine career path".

Memorable Moments and Professional Growth

When asking Bedeau about her career highlights the list is substantial: from making her senior Wolves debut at the Molineux stadium and playing at St James’ Park to winning the league with Newcastle United including a decisive 1–0 win over Nottingham Forest at The City Ground in that same season which saw the title momentum shift significantly in the Magpies favour.

Each experience shaped different aspects of her development.

Newcastle, in particular, marked a period of both progress and challenge. “I struggled mentally at first,” she admits. “Being a professional athlete 24/7, while also wanting to maintain an identity beyond football.”

She engaged in tutoring and volunteering and eventually founded her own Community Interest Company (CIC), Beat the Block. When injury struck, it prompted deeper reflection: Who am I without football? Building a balanced foundation became central to her journey.

Leadership at the University of Nottingham

Before fully stepping into the professional game, Naomi made a lasting impact at the University of Nottingham. As captain, she led the university first team to the BUCS National Championship, the best possible achievement in the university game, defeating Loughborough 6–0 in a standout final performance.

“We were underdogs. No one expected us to reach the final, never mind win in that way.”

Her leadership extended far beyond matchdays. She coordinated support networks, created initiatives to strengthen team culture and acted as a consistent point of connection for players. Access to high-performance support at university, from Strength and Conditioning to nutrition and psychology, helped prepare her for the demands of National League and Championship football.

“The biggest lesson? Balance. You need something alongside football,” Naomi homed in on.

Beat the Block: Expanding Access and Opportunity

Founded in October 2025, Beat the Block reflects Bedeau’s commitment to equity, representation and dismantling barriers for young women and girls.

Its mission is clear: to empower underrepresented young women through education, exposure and sport, in turn challenging the internal and external barriers that limit their participation.

“Girls should never question whether a space is meant for them. Society should reflect the communities we live in,” Bedeau stated. The initiative will deliver workshops, connect girls with role models, provide experiences at elite women’s matches, and introduce new sporting opportunities, all designed to increase visibility, confidence and belonging.

Looking Ahead

Naomi aims to grow Beat the Block into a sustainable, nationwide programme. On the pitch, her ambitions remain just as focused:

“To play at the next level. To earn promotion. To consistently perform at a higher tier.”

Following her first senior international call-up for Grenada ahead of the 2025–26 CONCACAF Women’s Qualifiers, a new chapter in her career has begun. She made an immediate impact, scoring the opening goal in Grenada’s 2–1 defeat to Costa Rica while captaining the side.

From a shy girl joining a boys’ team to forge connections, to a professional footballer shaping communities and championing representation, Naomi Bedeau’s journey continues to evolve.