Following on from the exciting news about the granting of an A-League Women’s licence, Central Coast Mariners have moved quickly to put in place the coaching set-up for the 2021/22 WNPL season which will set the platform for A-League Women in 2022.
The Mariners continue their desire to create more opportunities for girls to help grow the women’s game on the Coast. As part of this process, the Mariners have applied for a Girls SAP licence with Football NSW which will encompass the age range of U10-U13s.
Should Football NSW approve this GSAP application then the Central Coast Mariners development program will complete the natural pathway for young girls from community, into NPL, then A-League Women’s.
The changes in the Women’s NPL space at the club don’t just lie at the SAP level, as all competitions are being expanded to sixteen teams and the season will consist of a 30-round competition. The goal of the club will be to gain promotion into WNPL1 which will provide a great base for the A-League Women’s in 2022.
The WNPL Teams will play their matches out of Pluim Park in Lisarow which will also be the training base for the sides.
These are uncharted times for the region but are times that come with great anticipation and excitement that the Mariners have the potential to build a complete pathway in the men’s and women’s game on the Coast.
Ahead of this exciting year, Peter Preston (pictured) will be taking on the role of Women’s NPL Head Coach, assisted by former player Gabby Blanch.
Peter echoed his delight in taking on this exciting role with a great period of change undergoing at the club in the women’s space.
“Firstly, it’s great that the club will have an A-League Women’s program for 2022 and beyond which presents a great opportunity for aspiring female players to achieve their dreams of playing professionally on the Coast. For the club to be able to provide this opportunity augers well for the future of women’s football” Preston said.
Preston who is a long-term Mariners Academy coach having overseen sides in the NPL boy’s set-up, continued: “We have also been busy on the recruitment side through a challenging time. Everyone involved at the Mariners is looking forward to building a competitive squad across all age groups.”
“I am looking forward to leading the women’s program in 2021/22 and I hope to continue on the great work from previous seasons. We have finalised our coaching and backroom staff for next season’s WNPL and I can’t wait to get started” he concluded.
The full list of staff is as follows:
Peter Preston – Head Coach (First Grade)
Gabby Blanch – Assistant Coach (First Grade)/U20s Coach
Peter Edwards – U16s Coach
Alisha Dudman – U15s Coach
Hayley Eyers – U14s Coach
Caheul Franco – Strength and Conditioning (First Grade/U20s)
Marc Falzon – Strength and Conditioning (U14/U15/U16)
