A journey to the Central Coast to reignite passion for the game. First Grade centre back believes Mariners is where she needs to be
At 15-years-old Teagan Douglas was representing her country as a Junior Matilda touring Laos and Kyrgyzstan for the AFC Championships. A few years later and with her passion for the game slowly dying, the search for that spark has landed Teagan here on the Central Coast.
“The past couple of years hasn’t been great and mentally for me to try and find the love to play football again,” Douglas said.
“Coming down here to Mariners and being able to have more freedom to play is the main thing.”
Spending most of her early footballing career with Newcastle Jets academy, Teagan felt the move to Mariners was a crucial step to continue her hopes of gaining a professional contract.
“I just needed a change, and it was at the age where you’re looking for a professional contract and though the Jets women’s coach was happy for me to train, I was looking for a bit more”, she said.
“When the Mariners announced their intentions to enter the Liberty A-Leagues competition, I felt this might be another opportunity for me.”
With Central Coast Mariners granted a provisional licence to enter the Liberty A-Leagues Women in 2023/24, the Mariner is stoked at the chance to fulfill her professional goals.
“Playing in an A-League women’s side is one of my goals I want to achieve, and I’ve enjoyed my season being here at Mariners with the environment being much more professional,” said the centre back.
“I am disappointed it’s not happening for this coming season, though I think it gives the club more time to prepare and strengthen the squad.”
First grade currently sits eighth on the League One Women’s ladder, and recent unfavourable results means the path to finals football becomes slightly more challenging.
In spite of this – and a tough last few seasons at Jets before her entrance on to the first grade scene for Mariners, the mindset for the seasons’ remainder is still the same.
“It’s been good to win some games. We (Jets) didn’t win anything last season and it has been cool to score goals too,” the defender said.
“We started the season off well but with players leaving and a few injuries as we’re starting to get closer to the competition’s final weeks has been a bit tough, but it’s a long season and there’s still games left to play so the aim is to finish off strong.”
Teagan will be back in action on Sunday to lead the defensive line as First Grade face front runners Gladesville Raider at Pluim Park on Sunday, aiming to fight their way back up the ladder as the regular season nears conclusion.
