Julie Nelson BEM

Julie Nelson BEM is an international footballer from Northern Ireland whose senior club career began in 2002. She has played for Crusaders Strikers, IBV (Iceland), Everton, Glasgow City and Durham. A record-breaking player for her country, Julie has made 130 appearances for Northern Ireland and was the first woman to reach 100 caps. She also played at the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 in England, where she became Northern Ireland’s first-ever goal scorer at a women’s major tournament.

Her achievements have been recognised beyond the pitch. In June 2021, Julie was awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list, and in December 2022 she received an honorary doctorate from Queen's University Belfast for distinction in sport.