Gema Simon Explained

Gema Simon
Fullname:Gema Simon
Birth Date:1990 7, df=yes
Birth Place:Armidale, Australia
Position:Left back / Winger
Currentclub:Newcastle Jets
Clubnumber:7
Years1:2008–2014
Clubs1:Newcastle Jets
Caps1:63
Goals1:4
Years2:2013
Clubs2:Ottawa Fury (loan)
Years3:2014–2015
Clubs3:Melbourne Victory
Caps3:11
Goals3:2
Years4:2015–2022
Clubs4:Newcastle Jets
Caps4:67
Goals4:4
Years5:2016
Clubs5:Suwon (loan)
Years6:2017
Clubs6:Avaldsnes (loan)
Caps6:13
Goals6:0
Years7:2022
Clubs7:Þróttur Reykjavík
Caps7:15
Goals7:0
Years8:2022–2023
Clubs8:Melbourne Victory
Caps8:6
Goals8:0
Years9:2023–2024
Clubs9:Newcastle Jets
Caps9:4
Goals9:0
Nationalyears1:2009
Nationalteam1:Australia U20
Nationalcaps1:1
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2014–2019
Nationalteam2:Australia
Nationalcaps2:11
Nationalgoals2:0
Club-Update:16 May 2023
Nationalteam-Update:5 April 2019

Gema Simon (born 19 July 1990) is an Australian international soccer player who played for Newcastle Jets, Melbourne Victory, Ottawa Fury, Suwon, Avaldsnes, Þróttur Reykjavík, and the Australia women's national soccer team.

Early life

Simon was born in Armidale.[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. 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.[5] She was awarded the Jets' Player of the Year award for the 2013–14 season

After captaining Newcastle Jets in the 2013–14 season, Simon joined Melbourne Victory alongside Hannah Brewer.[6]

In October 2015, Simon re-joined the Newcastle Jets.[7]

After a rewarding season with Newcastle Jets, Simon signed a deal to play the winter season with Suwon in the WK League.[8]

After her loan at Suwon, Simon was announced as captain of Newcastle Jets once more.[9]

In September 2023, Simon returned once more to Newcastle Jets,[10] where she retired at the end of the season.[11] [12]

International

In mid-2009, Simon was called up to the Australia under-20 team for the 2009 AFC U-19 Women's Championship.[13] She made her debut for the side in a pre-tournament friendly against South Korea in July 2009.[14]

Simon was first called up to the Australian senior side for the 2014 Cyprus Cup.[15] 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.[16] She was again included in the Australia squad for the 2015 Cyprus Cup.[17]

Honours

Australia

Individual

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Midfielder key to Jets' finals push. Rowe, Alex. 25 November 2012. 24 April 2016. Daily Liberal.
  2. News: Gema Simon: Stepping out of the shadows. The Women's Game. 6 February 2014. Hanney, Daniel. 24 April 2016.
  3. News: Female stars keeping it in the family. https://web.archive.org/web/20151106132640/http://www.fifa.com/news/y=2011/m=4/news=female-stars-keeping-the-family-1426718.html. dead. 6 November 2015. FIFA. 29 April 2011. 24 April 2016.
  4. News: Fury unveil 2013 PDL & W-League rosters. SoccerWire.com. 21 May 2013. 24 April 2016.
  5. News: 15 October 2013. Peter McGuinness announces Newcastle Jets squad. The Women's Game. 25 April 2016.
  6. Web site: Victory lands Jets duo. Football Federation Australia. 14 August 2014.
  7. Web site: Deans Boosts Squad With Mix of Youth And Experience. Northern NSW Football. 7 October 2015. 13 May 2021. 7 March 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220307140808/https://northernnswfootball.com.au/deans-boosts-squad-with-mix-of-youth-and-experience/. dead.
  8. News: Newcastle W-League captain Gema Simon nets rich South Korean deal. The Newcastle Herald. Craig. Kerry. 8 February 2016. 9 February 2016. 27 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180627034310/https://www.theherald.com.au/story/3713748/simon-bounces-back-to-net-deal/. live.
  9. Web site: Simon To Lead Jets into Another Season. Northern NSW Football. 5 October 2016.
  10. Web site: Newcastle Jets sign Gema Simon. Newcastle Jets. 1 September 2023.
  11. Newcastle Jets. NewcastleJetsFC. 1787737036088303841. Thank you for everything Gema. A stalwart of the Jets, congratulations on a fantastic career. Simon departs the Jets after 134 appearances for the club.. 7 May 2024.
  12. Web site: Liberty A-League 2024-25 Transfer Centre: Your club's ins/outs. aleagues.com.au. 28 May 2024. 28 May 2024.
  13. News: Westfield Young Matildas squad selected for AFC U-19 Women's Championships 2009. Football NSW. 25 April 2016.
  14. Web site: Young Matildas (U20) Internationals for 2009. OzFootball. 25 April 2016.
  15. News: Brewer, Simon to join Matildas in Cyprus. Kerry, Craig. The Newcastle Herald. 24 February 2014. 25 April 2016.
  16. News: Jets duo make Matildas debuts. Kerry, Craig. 24 April 2016. The Newcastle Herald. 11 March 2014.
  17. News: Stajcic names Matildas squad for 2015 Cyprus Cup. 24 February 2015. 25 April 2016. The Women's Game.
  18. News: Gema Simon relieved to make Matildas training squad. Kerry, Craig. The Newcastle Herald. 25 April 2016.
  19. News: Brillante named Jets Player of the Year. 24 April 2016. 13 April 2014. Melbourne City FC.