Central Coast Mariners Women

Central Coast Mariners Women are the reigning A-League Women champions, and the story of how they got there is one of the most remarkable fairy tales in Australian football history. They won the 2024-25 championship in just their second season of existence. Second season. Let that sink in for a moment. Founded in 2023, the Mariners Women represent the Central Coast region of New South Wales with a determination and community spirit that mirrors the men’s side, and their rapid rise from new entrants to champions captured the imagination of the entire football world. The yellow and navy have become a symbol of hope and ambition on the Central Coast, where the community has rallied behind the team with growing passion. The supporter base, while still developing, showed remarkable loyalty during the championship run — packing Central Coast Stadium for key matches and creating an atmosphere that belied the programme’s youth. The Mariners Women have set the benchmark for expansion clubs, and now comes the real challenge: defending the title.

Team Overview

History

Central Coast Mariners Women entered the A-League Women in the 2023-24 season as one of three expansion clubs alongside Wellington Phoenix Women and Western United Women. The club’s first season was a learning experience, as the squad found its feet against established teams with years of experience. Despite the challenges of building a competitive women’s program from scratch, the Mariners showed promising signs and laid the foundations for what would become a championship-winning side.

The 2024-25 season under head coach Emily Husband proved transformational. The Mariners finished fourth in the regular season standings and embarked on a stunning finals campaign that culminated in the Grand Final against Melbourne Victory. In a tense encounter that finished 1-1 after extra time, the Mariners held their nerve to win 5-4 on penalties, becoming A-League Women champions for the first time. It was the first Grand Final in league history to be decided by a penalty shootout, adding to the drama of the occasion. Emily Husband became just the fourth female coach to win the championship.

For the 2025-26 season, Kory Babington was appointed as the new head coach following Husband’s departure. Babington faces the considerable challenge of filling the gap left by the championship-winning coach while maintaining the Mariners’ competitive standards and defending their title against the rest of the competition.

Key Players

• Taren King - A commanding centre-back and influential captain whose leadership, defensive resilience, and ability to organise the backline were instrumental in the Mariners’ championship triumph.

• Ash Sykes - A proven goal scorer with clinical finishing ability and excellent movement in the penalty area, Sykes has been a vital source of goals for the Mariners in both of their A-League Women campaigns.

• Remy Siemsen - A technically gifted attacker with pace and creativity, Siemsen adds a dynamic element to the Mariners’ forward line and has the ability to produce match-winning moments.

Stadium

Central Coast Stadium, officially known as Industree Group Stadium, is located in Gosford alongside the picturesque Brisbane Water. With a capacity of 20,059, it provides a professional home base befitting a championship club. The ground’s manageable size helps create a genuine atmosphere when fans gather, and the Central Coast community has embraced this team as their own. It’s a beautiful spot to watch football, and now it’s a beautiful spot to watch champions.

NC — Staff sports writer, australiafootball.com