Get ready for the Mariners – and get ready for a full home-and-away season in 2023-24.
Central Coast Mariners will become the 12th Liberty A-League club, entering the competition after the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. With the Mariners’ inclusion in the competition from 2023-24 will come a 22-round, full home-and-away schedule with 132 regular-season games, set to put the Liberty A-League Women in line with global standards for match minutes.
On an exciting day for the club, the Mariners revealed their inaugural singing: Annalise Rasmussen, a product of the club’s academy system.
The Mariners also locked in Central Coast Stadium as the venue for all of their A-League Women home games, a decision Mariners CEO Shaun Mielekamp described as “an absolute must” for both the club’s men’s and women’s teams.
“Playing at Central Coast Stadium was integral to everything that we as a club are passionate about,” Mielekamp said.
“That is what we do for the boys, we produce Socceroos, and now our task is to produce Matildas. We can only do that if we give them the same opportunities, our facilities and expertise are there, so to be playing at Central Coast Stadium, which we deem as the best stadium in Australia for female professional football, was an absolute must.”
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Mielekamp added: “This means a lot to not only the Central Coast Mariners, not only young footballers on the coast, but all female athletes to show that there are professional careers and pathways.
“Every young footballer on the Central Coast can now see a pathway from grassroots all the way through to the national teams without having to leave the coast.
“It’s tremendously amazing to have another team of community ambassadors to inspire the next generation. It is so special and a big part of what this club means.”
Excitement is currently building for the 2022-23 A-League Women season, set to kick off on November 19 with Western United entering the competition for the club’s inaugural season.
At the conclusion of the 2022-23 campaign comes the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, hosted by Australia and New Zealand. Then, the very first full home-and-away 2023-24 A-League Women campaign.
A-Leagues commissioner Greg O’Rourke said: “There has never been a more exciting time for women’s football in Australia with the expanded and extended Liberty A-League Women, and the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand taking place nine months from now.
“We have accelerated our investment to ensure a legacy for women and girls playing and supporting football in Australia, and are delighted to see Central Coast become our 12th team in the Liberty A-League Women.”
