Emma Checker
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 Emma Checker before a match for Melbourne Victory, December 2023 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Emma Kay Checker | ||
| Date of birth | 11 March 1996 | ||
| Place of birth | Ashford, Australia | ||
| Position | Centre back | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Melbourne Victory | ||
| Number | 15 | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2011–2013 | Adelaide United | 17 | (0) |
| 2013–2015 | Melbourne Victory | 22 | (1) |
| 2015–2017 | Canberra United | 15 | (0) |
| 2017 | Hyundai Steel Red Angels | 3 | (0) |
| 2017–2019 | Adelaide United | 24 | (0) |
| 2019–2023 | Melbourne City | 39 | (2) |
| 2020 | FC Fleury 91 | 1 | (0) |
| 2021 | Selfoss | 18 | (0) |
| 2022 | → Umeå (loan) | 6 | (0) |
| 2023–2024 | Melbourne Victory | 17 | (2) |
| International career | |||
| Australia U17 | |||
| Australia U20 | |||
| 2012–2021 | Australia | 7 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Emma Kay Checker (born 11 March 1996) is an Australian former professional soccer player who played as a defender. She represented Australia at under-17, under-20 and senior levels. Checker made her senior international debut for Australia in November 2012 at the age of 16.
Adelaide United
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Checker made her senior debut for Adelaide United on the opening day of the 2011–12 W-League season, aged 15.[1] She went on to make six further appearances for the club that season, and played in Adelaide's first W-League victory in 34 matches;[2][3] Checker was one of eight players retained by Adelaide United for the 2012–13 season,[3] and went on to make eleven appearances that season.[2] On 31 May 2013, she became the first female in nearly 20 years to play in an under-18s match with men, when she represented West Torrens Birkalla against White City.[4]
Melbourne Victory
Prior to the start of the 2013–14 season, Checker switched to Melbourne Victory.[5] She made her debut for the side on 16 November; despite scoring the opening goal of the game after four minutes, she was unable to prevent Melbourne from slipping to a 5–1 defeat against Sydney.[6] She won her first Championship against Brisbane Roar in the 2014 W-League Grand Final.
Canberra United
In September 2015, Checker joined Canberra United.[7] On 5 January 2016, she suffered an ACL injury and was ruled out for the rest of the season.[8] She returned from injury for the following season on 28 December 2016 against Melbourne Victory[9] and went on to be part of the 2016–17 W-League premiership winning team.
Hyundai Steel Red Angels
In 2017, during the W-League off-season Checker played with Incheon Hyundai Steel Red Angels in South Korea before a knee injury interrupted her spell.[10]
Return to Adelaide United
On 22 September 2017, Checker returned to Adelaide United, signing a two-year contract.[11] She made history by becoming the youngest captain of a W-League team during her stint at Adelaide.[12] She went on and reasserted herself as one of the country's strongest and most reliable defenders over the past two seasons. She sits fourth on Adelaide's all-time appearance list with 41 games.[13]
Melbourne City
On 19 September 2019, Checker signed with Melbourne City ahead of the 2019-20 W-League season.[14] She went on to win both the Premiership and Championship, having made 14 appearances across the campaign and was a key part of a defence that conceded just five goals for the season.
On 22 December 2020, Checker resigned with Melbourne City for the 2020-21 W-League season.[15] She was appointed captain ahead of the upcoming season.[16] After four months on the sideline, she returned from injury in Round 4 against Melbourne Victory. In Round 5, she scored her second ever W-League goal against her former side Adelaide United.
In August 2021, Checker re-signed with Melbourne City for two more years and confirmed she will remain captain.[17]
In August 2023, after four seasons at the club, Checker departed Melbourne City.[18]
Off-season at FC Fleury 91
On 15 June 2020, Checker became the latest player to head to Europe, signing with French club FC Fleury 91 on a two-year contract.[19] She made her Division 1 Féminine debut against Issy on 26 September 2020. During her second overseas stint, she suffered a stress fracture in her fibular, cutting short her time in France.[20]
Off-season at Selfoss
In April 2021, Checker signed with Selfoss of the Icelandic Úrvalsdeild kvenna.[21]
Loan to Umeå
In August 2022, Checker joined Swedish club Umeå on a short-term loan for three months before the beginning of the 2022–23 A-League Women season.[22]
Return to Melbourne Victory
In August 2023, Checker returned to Melbourne Victory.[23] Checker retired from professional football at the end of the 2023–24 A-League Women.[24]
