Following England’s extra-time win over Spain in the 2022 UEFA European Women's Football Championship quarter final last night, we take a closer look at Norfolk-born Lauren Hemp, who has been heavily involved in the tournament so far.
Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses excelled in their opening three fixtures, as they finished top of Group A with three wins in three. Their biggest result came from an 8-0 win over Norway, in which Hemp bagged her first goal of the tournament.
The Manchester City forward started her journey up to the England squad right here in Norfolk, having grown up in the town of North Walsham.
Hemp began her youth footballing career with Norwich City, under the guidance of Norwich City Girls Centre of Excellence where she played from 2008 until 2015. She then went on to join Bristol City at the age of 16, with fellow Canary and current Norwich City Women’s general manager, Flo Allen.
The women’s team general manager was full of praise for the local Lioness. Flo said: “From a young age Lauren has always had magnificent balance, tenacious strength, and an unbelievable ability to manipulate the ball at speed.
“Off the pitch Lauren has always been a light-hearted and bubbly character, always carrying out her business with immense humility, embracing every challenge presented to her.
“The talent Norfolk and Norwich has produced over the years has been frightening and Lauren is the pinnacle of that. We hope that Lauren's story inspires many more girls and boys in our region to play football and reach the highest level possible.”
Norwich City Community Sports Foundation was one of 52 clubs that held the FA Girls Centre of Excellence licence. Ian Thornton OBE, CEO of the foundation was the technical director for the programmes whilst Lauren was a registered player.
He said: “We were really proud of the environment and programme we provided on and off the pitch, for Lauren and to hundreds of local talented footballers.
“As a young player, Lauren had excellent potential. Numerous members of our coaching team provided some brilliant guidance, support and experiences that helped nurture all, over a long period of time.”
Hemp made the choice to take a different path at Under 16s level, when she trained regularly within the Boys Development Programme and played local grass roots boys football.
Ian continued: “Lauren embraced the challenge at a time where girls football didn’t have the respect it deserved from many and showed excellent resilience and attitude to compete with faster, stronger and more tactically challenging situations. This was always going to benefit her in the long term.”
Following her youth career in Norwich, the 21-year-old Lioness went on to play for the Vixens for two seasons, scoring on her debut and a further eight times in her career down south.
Her first England call up came at Under-15 level, before she went on to captain the side at the UEFA Women’s Under-17 Championship in 2017.
The Lioness then made her senior debut for her country in October 2019 against Portugal.
After joining Manchester City in May 2018, Hemp went on to hold a number of individual accolades, including PFA Women's Young Player of the Year in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2022.
Her time at Manchester City so far has proved a huge success, as she puts herself amongst the top scorers of the club, with 30 goals and over 100 appearances.
On her success in the UEFA Women’s Euros so far, Ian Thornton OBE added: “As a very young player, Lauren is playing in her first major tournament, representing her country.
“She is a major role model to everyone and we are very proud of her. Fingers crossed she says stays injury free, but she has serious potential to go on to be one of the best in the world.”
Since being a regular name in the England Women’s team, Hemp has seen the team reach success at winning the Arnold Clark Cup, as well as helping Team GB to the quarter finals of Tokyo 2020.
Having played for Norwich City at the start of her career, it wasn’t until that tournament in February 2022 that Hemp was able to play her first minutes in an England shirt on the pitch at Carrow Road.
England will now face either Sweden or Belgium in the semi finals of the UEFA Women's Euros following victory over Spain in Brighton last night.