Aileen Whelan

AILEEN WHELAN

FOOTBALL

Aileen started her footballing career through the love of football that her Dad had – she joined the Rugby Town Girls, where he coached.

Aileen soon progressed to the Coventry City Centre of Excellence, then into Rushden and Diamonds Centre of Excellence, where she stayed until the U16 years.

Aileen made her senior football debut at the age of 15 and was scouted, and played for the National League Side, Barnet FC.

“I believe that education is so important in professional sports so that I had a mental break from the pressure of football but also a career path once I had retired.”

Aileen soon wanted to pursue her educational endeavours too and she soon moved her football back to the Midlands to be based closed to Nottingham Trent University where she studied Sports and Exercise Science.

During my university years, Aileen was picked up by Notts County where she spent 5 years (during the time that the game grew into a professional league).

Aileen’s Women’s Super League journey continued by playing for Everton, Brighton and ending her career at Leicester City Women FC where she captained the side for 2 years.

“In 2021, my son Jenson was born and in 2024, my daughter Araya was born. These were my reason for hanging up my boots and retiring from professional sport to spend more time as a family at the end of the 2023/2024 season.”

Achievements

· Everton Women FC: Spring Series WSL2 Winners

· Achievements - WSL Promotion from WSL2, Player of the year, PFA player of the month

· Achievements: FA cup Runner up at first every Wembley final, Conti-Cup runner up x2

International Achievements

· World University Games – Great Britain: Gold medal

· England Under 23’s appearances

Education & Qualifications

2024 Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling IN PROGRESS

2021 Level 3 NCFE Certificate in Counselling Skills.

2020 Level 2 NCFE Certificate in Understanding Mental Health First Aid and Mental Health Advocacy in The Workplace.

2016 Postgraduate Diploma in Play Therapy: Distinction.