The Central Coast Mariners are delighted to announce that Young Matildas captain Jessika Nash has signed for the club ahead of the upcoming Ninja A-League season.
Still only 19 years old despite now entering her fifth A-League season, the centre-back has already been capped by the Matildas when she was just 17.
After playing for the Football NSW Institute as a junior, Nash signed her first A-League deal at the beginning of the 2020/21 season with Canberra United.
What followed was a standout debut campaign as a 16-year-old, featuring regularly that season as Canberra returned to finals football for the first time in four years.
At the conclusion of that season the defender left the nation’s capital and moved up the highway to play for Sydney FC, where she helped the Sky Blues finish as Premiers and eventual Runners Up.
Nash has since spent the last two campaigns with Melbourne Victory, starting most games for the club, making finals in both seasons.
The 19-year-old has also been a regular in all of Australia’s Youth National teams, featuring over 30 times for the Under 17’s, Under 20’s and Under 23’s.
She captained the side to a third place finish in the 2024 U20 Women’s Asian Cup, as well as at the 2024 U20’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Arriving on the Coast, Nash is thrilled to be a Mariner, excited for her first season in Yellow and Navy.
“I am so excited to be here on the Coast. It is a place that I used to visit regularly as a kid, watching games at the stadium, so to be a part of the team and community is really special,” Nash said.
“Seeing how the team played last season in their first year back in the competition, you could tell that it was an environment where everyone could thrive and that is something that I want to be a part of.
“Emily is a fantastic coach, but an even better person who cares so much for every player. She is someone that I know will be able to get the most out of me this season, to be a part of the Mariners Family is so special and I can’t wait to get started.”
Central Coast Mariners Ninja A-League Head Coach Emily Husband is delighted to have a player of Jess’ quality and potential signed for the upcoming campaign.
“It is really pleasing to have Jess join us on the Coast. I worked with her in Canberra when she first broke into the A-League and you could see her potential back then, which she is stepping up into now,” Husband said.
“Jess possesses so many great attributes of a fantastic centre-back and the experience that she already has at a young age will bring a lot to our squad and to our backline this season.
“We want to continue to be a place for players like Jess who want to push themselves to the next level. Jess is ambitious, and we want to help her achieve her goals with us.”
