Episode 3 of our new podcast, Touchline Talk, is available to listen to NOW on Spotify and Apple, with this edition’s guest none other than Gemma Grainger, the head coach of the Norway senior women’s team.

However, Gemma’s story starts right here in North Riding – and with us at North Riding FA. Gemma formerly worked as our Women & Girls’ Football Development Officer, before embarking on her incredible coaching career.

Gemma’s career in management started with Leeds United and Middlesbrough, before working with The FA across women’s development teams. During her time with England, Gemma coached a number of sides at major competitions, and would be part of the staff for the senior women’s team at Euro 2017.

Appointed England women’s U17 manager in 2018, Gemma oversaw more than 90 international figures in her 11 years with The FA. 

As a result of her achievements with England’s development teams, Gemma was named Wales senior women’s manager in 2021, and narrowly missed out on leading the nation to the 2023 Women’s World Cup finals in the play-offs.

At the start of this year, Gemma took on a new challenge as the head coach of Norway, and is now applying her experience in a new country.

In episode three of Touchline Talk, Gemma exclusively discusses:  

• The growth of women’s football in England culminating in the nation’s Euro 2022 win
  
  
• Building on Wales women’s failure to qualify for World Cup and the future of the women’s game in Wales
  
  
• Experiences on managing an international side and the challenges of balancing international/domestic football
  
  
• Observations on Norway’s footballing mentality and their ability to produce world class players 

Click here to listen to the podcast on Spotify, or click here to listen on Apple.

Alternatively, please listen below.