The Central Coast Mariners women’s and girl’s academy is back this weekend, ready for a massive 2023 season.
Teams from under 14’s all the way to first grade will all be looking to get their seasons off to the best possible start as the sides travel to Sydney.
St George FC our opponent across all divisions, with the first match kicking off at 8:30 am and the last at 3pm at Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre.
First Grade vs St George City
The Central Coast Mariners women’s first grade side start their season against St George on Sunday afternoon, with kick-off scheduled for 3pm.
After finishing the competition in ninth last season, the squad is back in 2023 looking to fight for the title, led by new head coach Dan Barrett.
The side filled with new exciting talent, headlined by the return of Annalise Rasmussen. The forward our first signing for our new A-League Women’s team, looking to have a strong season in the FNSW League One competition.
She is joined by two Philippines internationals, Kiara Fontanilla and Kaya Hawkinson, with the duo aiming to make the Philippines Women’s Squad for the upcoming 2023 Women’s FIFA World Cup.
Alongside the numerous exciting local players that fill the squad is ex-Matilda Servet Uzunlar, with the defender one of numerous leaders in Dan Barret’s squad.
The team come up against St George in what promises to be a tough contest, with the match one of five away games for the side in the opening six rounds. The home team finishing last year in fifth place, also looking for a positive 2023 season.
Fortunately, this weekend’s game is the Match of the Round, meaning that if you can’t make it to Sydney it will be live and free on NPL.tv.
Under 20’s vs St George City
The Under 20’s get their season underway on Sunday as well, with their game against St George kicking off at 1pm.
A strong and youthful squad lead by the experienced Greg Hartge, the team has their eyes firmly set on coming away with the title this season.
With the likes of Junior Matilda Ava Carlson a part of the team, the side have had a positive preseason full of strong results.
This has filled the side with confidence heading into this weekend, an away trip to Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre.
This weekend will be a serious challenge for the team first up, set to face off against last year’s champions St George.
Academy Youth vs St George
The junior youth sides will be in action for the first time this season as well, with the under 14’s, 15 and 16’s set to come up against St George FC.
The Under 14’s will get the day underway at 8:30am, Carl Odell’s side looking to get the season off to a strong start. This is the teams first season in the NSW Girl’s Youth League Two competition, graduating from the SAP Program.
The under 15’s team will face off against St George at 9:55am, with Jason Harrison’s squad ready to take the season by storm.
The team came second after 29 regular season matches last season, looking to go one better in 2023.
The final youth match of the day will be the under 16’s, with kick off scheduled for 11:25am. Jai Cross will lead the squad who topped the table last season, narrowly ahead of SD Raiders FC and Northbridge Bulls FC.
All three sides excited for their first matches of the season, prepared for what will hopefully be a massive year.
