Career
She previously played for Liverpool and Everton in her native Merseyside. She has represented England women"s national football team at youth and senior level Whelan started playing football for her school"s boys" team
Her school teacher played for Liverpool Feds and signed Whelan up to play for their junior side.
She progressed to the Liverpool Ladies senior side before leaving to join Everton Ladies during the 2005 close season. In the 2010 FA Women"s Cup Final, Whelan came on as a second-half substitute for Rachel Unitt as Everton beat Arsenal 3–2 in extra time.
After aggravating her previous knee injury, Whelan underwent surgery which saw her miss the entire 2012 and 2013 seasons. She declared a "brilliant feeling" in returning to the squad for 2014.
Whelan was a late substitute in Everton"s 2–0 2014 FA Women"s Cup final defeat by Arsenal.
When the 2014 season culminated in Everton"s relegation, Whelan signed for N ottinghamshire County on a two-year contract. Whelan has represented England at Under-15, Under-19 (as captain), Under-20 and Under-23 levels. Whelan was named Union of European Football Associations"s "golden player" after inspiring England to the final of the 2007 Union of European Football Associations Women"s Under-19 Championship.
She recovered from a serious knee injury to captain England at the 2008 Fédération internationale de football association U-20 Women"s World Cup in Chile in November 2008.
National coach Hope Powell gave Whelan a first call-up to the senior England squad in October 2009, replacing Anita Asante who was withdrawn after the initial announcement of the squad. In May 2011 Whelan received another senior call-up when Fara Williams withdrew from the squad for a home friendly with Sweden.
During the tournament she suffered a recurrence of her cruciate ligament injury and underwent surgery which kept her out for nearly two years, causing her to miss the 2012 Olympic Games and Union of European Football Associations Women"s Euro 2013. Whelan attended Street Pascal Baylon School in Court Hey.
Her sporting hero is Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher.
She is a qualified physiotherapist.