Gema Simon
Gema Simon (born 19 July 1990) is an Australian international soccer player who plays for Newcastle Jets and the Australia women's national soccer team.
![]() Simon playing for the Matildas at the 2017 Algarve Cup | |||
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Gema Simon | ||
Date of birth | 19 July 1990 | ||
Place of birth | Armidale, Australia | ||
Height | 1.60 m (5 ft 3 in) | ||
Position(s) | Left back / Winger | ||
Club information | |||
Current team | Newcastle Jets | ||
Number | 7 | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2008–2014 | Newcastle Jets | 63 | (4) |
2013 | → Ottawa Fury (loan) | ||
2014–2015 | Melbourne Victory | 11 | (2) |
2015– | Newcastle Jets | 30 | (1) |
2016 | → Suwon (loan) | ||
2017 | Avaldsnes | 13 | (0) |
National team‡ | |||
2009 | Australia U20 | 1 | (0) |
2014– | Australia | 11 | (0) |
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 21 February 2018 ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 5 April 2019 |
Early life
Simon was born in Armidale, New South Wales.[1] She is an Indigenous Australian, and grew up the eldest of three siblings.[2] Her cousin, Kyah Simon, is also an Australian international footballer.[3] Gema started playing football aged five.[2]
Playing career
Club
Simon was a member of the inaugural Newcastle Jets team in the W-League in 2008–09.
In May 2013, Simon joined USL W-League side Ottawa Fury.[4] She was not paid for her time at the club, but did receive off-field assistance.[5] She suffered an injury one month into the season and did not recover during her remaining two months with the side.[2]
In 2013, Simon was given the captaincy of the Jets.[6] She was awarded the Jets' Player of the Year award for the 2013–14 season[7]
After captaining Newcastle Jets in the 2013–14 season, Simon joined Melbourne Victory alongside Hannah Brewer.[8]
In October 2015, Simon re-joined the Newcastle Jets.
After a rewarding season with Newcastle Jets, Simon signed a deal to play the winter season with Suwon in the WK League.[5]
After her loan at Suwon, Simon was announced as captain of Newcastle Jets once more.[9]
International
In mid-2009, Simon was called up to the Australia under-20 team for the 2009 AFC U-19 Women's Championship.[10] She made her debut for the side in a pre-tournament friendly against South Korea in July 2009.[11]
Simon was first called up to the Australian senior side for the 2014 Cyprus Cup.[12] She made her debut for the team in March 2014, playing a full match in a loss to Scotland in the Group Stage of the tournament.[13] She was again included in the Australia squad for the 2015 Cyprus Cup.[14]
Honours
Individual
- Newcastle Jets Player of the Year: 2009–10,[15] 2013–14[7]
References
- Rowe, Alex (25 November 2012). "Midfielder key to Jets' finals push". Daily Liberal. Retrieved 24 April 2016.
- Hanney, Daniel (6 February 2014). "Gema Simon: Stepping out of the shadows". The Women's Game. Retrieved 24 April 2016.
- "Female stars keeping it in the family". FIFA. 29 April 2011. Retrieved 24 April 2016.
- "Fury unveil 2013 PDL & W-League rosters". SoccerWire.com. 21 May 2013. Retrieved 24 April 2016.
- Kerry, Craig (8 February 2016). "Newcastle W-League captain Gema Simon nets rich South Korean deal". The Newcastle Herald.
- "Peter McGuinness announces Newcastle Jets squad". The Women's Game. 15 October 2013. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
- "Brillante named Jets Player of the Year". Melbourne City FC. 13 April 2014. Retrieved 24 April 2016.
- "Victory lands Jets duo". Football Federation Australia. 14 August 2014.
- "Simon To Lead Jets Into Another Season". Northern NSW Football. 5 October 2016.
- "Westfield Young Matildas squad selected for AFC U-19 Women's Championships 2009". Football NSW. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
- "Young Matildas (U20) Internationals for 2009". OzFootball. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
- Kerry, Craig (24 February 2014). "Brewer, Simon to join Matildas in Cyprus". The Newcastle Herald. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
- Kerry, Craig (11 March 2014). "Jets duo make Matildas debuts". The Newcastle Herald. Retrieved 24 April 2016.
- "Stajcic names Matildas squad for 2015 Cyprus Cup". The Women's Game. 24 February 2015. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
- Kerry, Craig. "Gema Simon relieved to make Matildas training squad". The Newcastle Herald. Retrieved 25 April 2016.