Central Coast Mariners are delighted to announce that Emily Husband has been appointed as the club’s A-League Women’s head coach, signing on a multi-year deal.
Husband is the current women’s head coach for Sydney University Soccer Football Club (SUSFC) and last year won the NSW NPL 1 Coach of the Year after securing the first-grade premiership and reserve grade championship. The club also won the NSW NPL 1 Club Championship amongst several other accolades.
She will continue in her role as head coach of SUSFC while also transitioning into her new position with the Mariners as we head towards the next A-League Women’s season.
This transition will include working closely with the Mariners Women’s NSW NPL 2 head coach Dan Barrett, who will continue in his position as the CCM Academy Head of Women’s Football. Barrett will play an important role in connecting the established pathway for local players to the A-League roster.
Husband is a former player who enjoyed a successful career on the field, starting her youth career with teams including Leeds United and Manchester City. As a senior footballer she enjoyed a stint playing for club’s including Huddersfield Town AFC.
After earning a scholarship at The University of Texas at Brownsville and graduating in Sports Science, Husband transitioned into coaching at Princeton in New Jersey, working her way up the ranks.
Six years later she moved to Australia, connecting with SUSFC. Following a spell coaching in their junior set up and reserve grade side she moved back to England, taking on roles in the international department and community spaces at both Leeds and Chelsea.
A return to Australia soon followed, where Husband re-joined SUSFC, becoming their women’s first grade head coach.
Husband has also had experience as an assistant coach, being a part of Canberra United’s set up during the 2020/21 season, helping the team make finals football.
Our new head coach is eager for the challenge set to come her way, ready to help in the development of a pathway between the academy and A-League Women’s side.
“It is unbelievably exciting. It is going to be a challenge, but I am ready to take it on. I’m ready to unite the community, the men’s and women’s sides and guide players through the pathway from SAP to the A-League Women’s team,” she said.
“I have only been around the club for a few days, and I can already get the feel for the Central Coast. It is a real homey place where football is one of the biggest sports. I want to continue to grow that during my time at the club.”
Husband is excited to be able to help build our side for the Mariners inaugural season in the A-League women’s competition, looking to construct a team that can compete from day one.
“It will be a huge challenge, which I am absolutely ready for and willing to take on. It is exciting that I get to come in and put my footprint in the Central Coast and the Mariners,” she said.
“Every single game from our first match of next season we will look to compete. That is going to be the number one objective, bringing the girls together, immersing them into the culture and getting them to represent the club in a positive way.”
Husband will begin the recruitment process immediately for the Mariners A-League Women’s team and will be a regular face at Mariners training and match days this season.
