:Sylvia Gee

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Sylvia Gee

| fullname = Sylvia Gee

| image =

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1977|11|30}}

| birth_place =

| height =

| position = Defender
Midfielder
Forward

| collegeyears1 = 1996–2000

| college1 = University of Limerick

| years1 = 1998

| years2 = 1999–2000

| years3 = 2000

| years4 = 2000–2001

| years5 = 2001–2002

| years6 = 2003–2007

| years7 = 2007–2011

| years8 = 2008

| years9 = 2009

| years10 = 2010

| years11 = 2011

| years12 = 2011–2012

| years13 = 2012

| years14 = 2012–2014

| years15 = 2014–2015

| years16 = 2015–2018

| years17 = 2018–2019

| clubs1 = Listowel Celtic

| clubs2 = Benfica

| clubs3 = Springfield Sirens

| clubs4 = Portlaoise

| clubs5 = Leeds United

| clubs6 = UCD

| clubs7 = Tullamore Town

| clubs8 = → MYSC Lady Blues

| clubs9 = → Chicago United Breeze

| clubs10 = → Arizona Rush

| clubs11 = → London Gryphons

| clubs12 = Cork W.F.C.

| clubs13 = Central SC Cobras

| clubs14 = DLR Waves

| clubs15 = Peamount United

| clubs16 = Kilkenny United

| clubs17 = Limerick

| caps1=

| goals1 =

| caps2 =

| goals2 =

| nationalyears1= 1999–

| nationalteam1= Republic of Ireland

| nationalcaps1= | nationalgoals1 =

| pcupdate = 22:37, 7 January 2016 (UTC)

| ntupdate = 12:00, 23 September 2011 (UTC)

}}

Sylvia Gee (born 30 November 1977) is a former Republic of Ireland women's international footballer who has spent the majority of her career playing in various women's association football leagues in the Republic of Ireland and the United States. Between 2003 and 2007, Gee was a prominent member and captain of the successful UCD team which qualified for the UEFA Women's Cup on three successive occasions.

Playing career

=Early years=

Gee grew up on a farm in County Offaly before attending Wesley College, Dublin between 1990 and 1996, where she studied for her Leaving Cert. At Wesley, Gee played several sports including field hockey and indoor soccer. Eric Miller was one of her fellow students. Between 1996 and 2000 Gee attended the University of Limerick where she studied production management.{{cite news|title=Wesley Women 1911–2011|url=http://www.wesleycollege.ie/general/Wesley%20Women%201911-2011.pdf|access-date=2 July 2016|publisher=wesleycollege.ie|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012122748/http://www.wesleycollege.ie/general/Wesley%20Women%201911-2011.pdf|archive-date=12 October 2012}} While a student at UL, Gee also played association football for Listowel Celtic and Benfica.{{cite news|title=Strong US side|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/strong-us-side-1.222975|access-date=4 July 2016|work=The Irish Times|date=2 September 1999}} In 2000, she spent the summer playing for Springfield Sirens in the USL W-League{{cite news|title=Photos:Springfield Sirens|url=http://nesoccertoday.com/?p=36031|access-date=4 July 2016|publisher=nesoccertoday.com|date=19 June 2015}} and in 2001–02 she played for Leeds United in the FA Women's Premier League.{{cite news|title=Leeds move to second|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/1839103.stm|access-date=2 July 2016|publisher=news.bbc.co.uk|date=24 February 2002}}{{cite news|title=England (Women) 2001/02|website=RSSSF|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/eng-wom02.html|access-date=2 July 2016}} While playing for Leeds, Gee also worked in the club ticket office.{{cite news|title=Wesley Women 1911–2011|url=http://www.wesleycollege.ie/general/Wesley%20Women%201911-2011.pdf|access-date=2 July 2016|publisher=wesleycollege.ie|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012122748/http://www.wesleycollege.ie/general/Wesley%20Women%201911-2011.pdf|archive-date=12 October 2012}}

=UCD=

Between 2003 and 2007 Gee played for UCD. Together with Caroline Thorpe and Mary Waldron,{{cite news|title=UCD chase treble|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/ucd-chase-treble-25894351.html|access-date=4 July 2016|work=Irish Independent|date=23 October 2004}} Gee was a prominent member and captain of the UCD team which, under coach Larry Mahoney, emerged as one of the strongest women's teams in the Republic of Ireland. UCD completed a four in a row of Dublin Women's Soccer League titles between 2003 and 2006.{{cite news|title=Getting to know...Sylvia Gee|url=https://wnl.fai.ie/clubs/ucd-waves/latest-news/179-getting-to-knowsylvia-gee.html|access-date=2 July 2016|publisher=wnl.fai.ie|date=21 January 2013}}{{cite news|title=Sylvia Gee picks up Player of the Month|url=http://wnl.fai.ie/news/165-sylvia-gee-picks-up-player-of-the-month.html|access-date=2 July 2016|publisher=wnl.fai.ie|date=8 January 2013}} Gee also played for UCD in the 2003 and 2004 FAI Women's Cup finals, helping the club win the cup three times in row.{{cite news|title=UCD v Dundalk Photos|url=http://www.sportsfile.com/more-images/D0410126/|access-date=2 July 2016|publisher=sportsfile.com|date=24 October 2004}}{{cite news|title=UCD pass Cup test once again|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/ucd-pass-cup-test-once-again-1.369201|access-date=2 July 2016|work=The Irish Times|date=11 August 2003}} After winning the FAI Women's Cup, UCD also qualified on three successive occasions to represent the Republic of Ireland in Europe. Gee subsequently captained UCD during their 2003–04, 2004–05 and 2005–06 UEFA Women's Cup campaigns.{{cite news|title=Wesley Women 1911–2011|url=http://www.wesleycollege.ie/general/Wesley%20Women%201911-2011.pdf|access-date=2 July 2016|publisher=wesleycollege.ie|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012122748/http://www.wesleycollege.ie/general/Wesley%20Women%201911-2011.pdf|archive-date=12 October 2012}} While playing for UCD, Gee, a UEFA B licensed coach also established a small business called Primary Coaching, which saw her coach association football to children in both primary schools and summer camps.{{cite news|title=International UEFA B Licensed Coach Available for Summer Soccer Sessions|url=http://forums.scsoccer.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=158513|access-date=4 July 2016|publisher=forums.scsoccer.com|date=24 May 2012}}

=United States=

In September 1999 Gee played for the Republic of Ireland in an away friendly against the United States.

{{cite news|title=No Luck for the Irish as USA Cruises to 5-0 Win at Foxboro Stadium|url=http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2014/03/17/11/27/no-luck-for-the-irish-as-usa-cruises-to-5-0-win-at-foxboro-stadium-milbrett-scores-twice-in-u-s-wome|access-date=4 July 2016|publisher=ussoccer.com|date=4 September 1999}}{{cite news|title=Strong US side|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/strong-us-side-1.222975|access-date=4 July 2016|work=The Irish Times|date=2 September 1999}} The following summer Gee and some of her Republic of Ireland teammates, including Claire Scanlan, Geraldine O'Shea and Margaret Saurin, returned to the United States to play for Springfield Sirens in the USL W-League. The 2000 Springfield Sirens won thirteen out of fourteen games and finished the season as the W-League second division champions.{{cite news|title=Photos:Springfield Sirens|url=http://nesoccertoday.com/?p=36031|access-date=4 July 2016|publisher=nesoccertoday.com|date=19 June 2015}} Since 2008 Gee has regularly spent summers playing and coaching in North America, mostly in the United States. In 2008 she played for MYSC Lady Blues, helping them win the Women's Premier Soccer League Midwest Conference. In the subsequent 2009 and 2010 WPSL seasons she played for Chicago United Breeze and Arizona Rush respectively. In 2011 Gee played for London Gryphons in the USL W-League.{{cite news|title=Sylvia Gee picks up Player of the Month|url=http://wnl.fai.ie/news/165-sylvia-gee-picks-up-player-of-the-month.html|access-date=2 July 2016|publisher=wnl.fai.ie|date=8 January 2013}}{{cite news|title=Soccer: Irish duo an inspiration for Madison Lady Blues |url=http://www.womensfootball.eu/forum/index.php?topic=3756.0|access-date=2 July 2016|publisher=womensfootball.eu|date=16 July 2008}}{{cite news|title=Wesley Women 1911–2011|url=http://www.wesleycollege.ie/general/Wesley%20Women%201911-2011.pdf|access-date=2 July 2016|publisher=wesleycollege.ie|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012122748/http://www.wesleycollege.ie/general/Wesley%20Women%201911-2011.pdf|archive-date=12 October 2012}} In the 2012 W-League season she played for Central SC Cobras.{{cite news|title=International UEFA B Licensed Coach Available for Summer Soccer Sessions|url=http://forums.scsoccer.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=158513|access-date=4 July 2016|publisher=forums.scsoccer.com|date=24 May 2012}} During the winters Gee returned to Ireland and played for Tullamore Town in the Combined Counties Football League.{{cite news|title=Unlucky Tullamore ladies lose to Bealnamulla in shoot out|url=http://www.offalyindependent.ie/sport/roundup/articles/2008/04/19/26896-unlucky-tullamore-ladies-lose-to-bealnamulla-in-shoot-out|access-date=2 July 2016|publisher=offalyindependent.ie|date=12 April 2008}}{{cite news|title=Sylvia Gee (Scored Equaliser)|url=http://www.tullamoretownfc.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=44572795|access-date=2 July 2016|publisher=tullamoretownfc.com|date=12 April 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005190234/http://www.tullamoretownfc.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=44572795|archive-date=5 October 2016}}{{cite news|title=Team Photo with Winner's Cup|url=http://www.tullamoretownfc.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=44572789|access-date=2 July 2016|publisher=tullamoretownfc.com|date=12 April 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005172657/http://www.tullamoretownfc.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=44572789|archive-date=5 October 2016}}{{cite news|title=Scintillating Sylvia has Tullamore fans in awe!|url=http://www.herald.ie/sport/soccer/junior-senior/scintillating-sylvia-has-tullamore-fans-in-awe-27942854.html|access-date=2 July 2016|publisher=herald.ie|date=22 February 2010}}{{cite news|title=2010/11 CCFL Results|url=http://www.tullamoretownfc.com/201011ccflresults.htm|access-date=2 July 2016|publisher=tullamoretownfc.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005191007/http://www.tullamoretownfc.com/201011ccflresults.htm|archive-date=5 October 2016}}

=Women's National League=

When the Women's National League was inaugurated in 2011–12, Gee played for Cork W.F.C. She was subsequently approached by Larry Mahoney, her former coach at UCD, to join him at DLR Waves. While playing for Waves, Gee was named WNL Player of the Month for November/December 2012.{{cite news|title=Sylvia Gee picks up Player of the Month|url=http://wnl.fai.ie/news/165-sylvia-gee-picks-up-player-of-the-month.html|access-date=2 July 2016|publisher=wnl.fai.ie|date=8 January 2013}} Gee was also selected for the 2012–13 WNL Team of the Season.{{cite web|url=http://wnl.fai.ie/images/Awards_2013/2012-13_WNL_Award_Winners.pdf|title=Bus Éireann National Women's League Awards 12-13|publisher=wnl.fai.ie|access-date=13 June 2016}} In 2013–14 she was also inducted into the WNL Hall of Fame.{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/irish/2014/0418/609646-bus-eireann-womens-award-nominations/|title=Bus Éireann National Women's award nominations|publisher=rte.ie|access-date=13 June 2016|date=18 April 2014}}{{cite news|title=Bus Eireann Women's National League Awards Photos|url=http://www.sportsfile.com/more-images/1404265/|access-date=2 July 2016|publisher=sportsfile.com|date=30 April 2014}} During the 2014–15 season, Gee played for Peamount United, helping them reach the final of the WNL Cup.{{cite news|title=Extra-time triumph for Raheny United in women's league cup final |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/extra-time-triumph-for-raheny-united-in-women-s-league-cup-final-1.2189918|work=The Irish Times|date=26 April 2015}}

The 2015–16 season saw her switch to Kilkenny United.{{cite news|last1=Clarke|first1=Aaron|title=WNL Season Preview: Kilkenny United|url=http://www.extratime.ie/newsdesk/articles/15314/wnl-season-preview-kilkenny-united/|access-date=2 January 2016|publisher=extratime.ie|date=10 October 2015}} While playing in the WNL, Gee has also coached at Portlaoise A.F.C.{{cite news|title=Season Review 2014/15 – Academy|url=http://www.portlaoiseafc.ie/news/season-review-201415-academy/|access-date=4 July 2016|publisher=portlaoiseafc.ie|date=10 June 2015}}{{cite news|title=International UEFA B Licensed Coach Available for Summer Soccer Sessions|url=http://forums.scsoccer.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=158513|access-date=4 July 2016|publisher=forums.scsoccer.com|date=24 May 2012}}

=International career=

Gee has represented the Republic of Ireland at university and senior level.{{cite news|title=Wesley Women 1911–2011|url=http://www.wesleycollege.ie/general/Wesley%20Women%201911-2011.pdf|access-date=2 July 2016|publisher=wesleycollege.ie|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012122748/http://www.wesleycollege.ie/general/Wesley%20Women%201911-2011.pdf|archive-date=12 October 2012}} In September 1999 Gee played for the Republic of Ireland in a 5–0 away defeat to the United States. At the time Gee was still a student at University of Limerick and playing for Benfica.{{cite news|title=No Luck for the Irish as USA Cruises to 5-0 Win at Foxboro Stadium|url=http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2014/03/17/11/27/no-luck-for-the-irish-as-usa-cruises-to-5-0-win-at-foxboro-stadium-milbrett-scores-twice-in-u-s-wome|access-date=4 July 2016|publisher=ussoccer.com|date=4 September 1999}}{{cite news|title=Strong US side|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/strong-us-side-1.222975|access-date=4 July 2016|work=The Irish Times|date=2 September 1999}} In September 2000 Gee was also included the squad for the Celt Cup, a tournament which saw the Republic of Ireland emerge as winners after defeating Northern Ireland and Scotland.{{cite news|title=King gets first chance to see women in action |url=http://www.kickinmagazine.ie/womensquad2292000.htm|access-date=4 July 2016|publisher=kickinmagazine.ie|date=22 September 2000}} On 12 August 2001 Gee scored for the Republic of Ireland, after coming on as a substitute, in a 4–1 win against Scotland at the AUL Complex. Olivia O'Toole also scored a hat–trick for the Republic.{{cite news|title=O'Toole hits back|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/otoole-hits-back-26076864.html|access-date=4 July 2016|work=Irish Independent|date=13 August 2001}} Gee was subsequently a member of the Republic of Ireland squad during their 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup, UEFA Women's Euro 2001, 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup and UEFA Women's Euro 2005 qualifying campaigns.{{cite news|title=Sylvia Gee|url=http://www.fai.ie/ireland/player/44776|access-date=4 July 2016|publisher=fai.ie}}{{cite news|title=Sylvia Gee|url=http://www.soccerscene.ie/ss_gen/player.php?id=260&level=sswsenior|access-date=2 July 2016|publisher=soccerscene.ie}}