After two invaluable seasons with the England Women’s U19 team, Gemma later appeared seven times for Brent Hills’ Under-23 side before receiving her first senior team call-up for the UEFA Euro 2013 qualifier away to Croatia in March 2012.
In 2009, the centre-back was a member of the England squad that travelled to the UEFA European Women’s U19 Championship Finals in Belarus while still a year younger than most of her team-mates. Although she did not feature in the Finals, Gemma watched on and would have gained a lot from the experience as
Mo Marley led the Young Lions to
a maiden European title.
The following season Gemma started four of England’s five games at the Finals in Macedonia as they came
within 90 minutes of retaining their crown.
The inevitable step-up to the Under-23s came soon after, with a debut against Germany in September 2010, and just 18 months later, her performances would earn her senior team recognition. Gemma has also featured five times for the U17s, including appearances at the FIFA U17 World Cup in 2008.
Now at FA WSL side Chelsea, Gemma helped Leeds Carnegie to
win The FA Women’s Premier League Cup in 2010, alongside England colleague
Ellen White,
Jess Clarke,
Laura Bassett,
Sophie Bradley,
Steph Houghton and
Jade Moore.