Central Coast Mariners have announced the appointment of Kory Babington as the club’s new Ninja A-League head coach ahead of the 2025-26 season.
Babington brings a wealth of coaching and leadership expertise to the defending champions, with over 20 years of experience in Australian football. He is a strong fit for the Mariners due to his outstanding reputation for developing talent, fostering high-performance cultures, and producing players who succeed on the domestic and international stage.
CLICK HERE TO HEAD TO THE NINJA A-LEAGUE TRANSFER CENTRE
Babington is currently the director of football at Westfields Sports High School, where he has assisted 20 athletes to transition to professional contracts in the last three years.
As head coach of the Future Matildas program, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of some of the nation’s brightest footballing talents, with many progressing into the Football Australia U23 team and debuting for the Matildas.
Babington has had further success in developing youth, as an assistant coach with the Young Matildas since 2023, whilst his experience extends to senior football, having served as assistant coach with Western Sydney Wanderers NYL and Macarthur Bulls NPL.
As head coach of the Mariners, Babington will look to build on the significant progress of the club’s women’s program in recent years, which culminated in an inaugural Ninja A-League Championship won under former head coach Emily Husband in May.
“I am honoured to be appointed head coach of the Mariners’ (Ninja A-League) team,” Babington said.
“The Mariners are a club with strong values, a commitment to community, and a vision to grow women’s football. I look forward to building a program that not only delivers results on the field but also provides a pathway for players to thrive as both athletes and people.
Central Coast Mariners CEO Greg Brownlow said the appointment reflects the club’s ambition to strengthen its Ninja A-League program and continue its reputation as a community club that develops players for the highest level.
“Kory brings exceptional credentials, a proven record in player development, and the ability to build a high-performance environment. His appointment is another exciting step in the Mariners’ journey, and we are excited to see the impact he will have both on and off the pitch.”
