A new owner is expected to be confirmed for the Central Coast Mariners ALW side. Photo: Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS
The Central Coast Mariners will have a little more than two months to assemble a competitive A-League Women squad and hire an entire coaching staff after new investors ended months of uncertainty by stepping in to ensure the team’s survival.
AAP can reveal the Holman Barnes Group (HBG), which owns a majority stake in NRL side Wests Tigers and shares in NPL NSW football club APIA Leichhardt, will be confirmed as the new backers of the Mariners ALW side on Tuesday.
The Mariners ALW side were left in the lurch in June when Total Soccer Growth Holdings (TSG) – fronted by Malaysian businessman Ruben Gnanalingam – chose to only invest in the A-League Men team.
The Mariners – winners of the 2024/25 grand final – had proven themselves to be a breeding ground for emerging Australian talent with Isabel Gomez and Annalise Rasmussen both earning moves to Europe off the back of their exploits in Gosford.
Isabel Gomez left Central Coast Mariners to join Swedish club FC Rosengard. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)
But when TSG, which owns stakes in English Championship club Queens Park Rangers and Major League Soccer side LAFC, opted against running an ALW side, the existence of the Mariners’ women’s team was plunged into doubt.
HBG has emerged as the saviour of the Mariners’ ALW side and will be tasked with finding players and backroom staff for the upcoming season, which starts on October 17.
“Our vision is to establish a sustainable, high-performance A-League Women’s program on the Central Coast that delivers elite football outcomes while embedding long-term participation and development pathways for female footballers across NSW,” said HBG chief executive Daniel Paton.
“We believe elite women’s football programs must be built upon a dual foundation of participation and performance pathways.
“We want to create an enduring women’s football program on the Central Coast that expands participation opportunities, strengthens the pathways to elite domestic and international competition and advance the growth of women’s football – while preserving the strong community identity synonymous with the Central Coast Mariners.”
Holman Barnes Group will handle the day-to-day running of the Mariners ALW side. (Darren Pateman/AAP PHOTOS)
A resolution over the fate of the Mariners’ ALW side is another win for the Australian Professional Leagues (APL), who were able to secure a buyer for Canberra United last month.
TSG will hold the licence to the club, while HBG will take on all day-to-day responsibilities of running the ALW side.
“This innovative structure provides HBG with the full rights and obligations of the women’s team, and gives the club a dedicated women’s investment, matched with decades of local experience in women’s football participation and development,” APL chair Stephen Conroy said.
Australian Associated Press
Breaking news alert
Be the first to know when news breaks.
Loading…
The lunch break
Grab a quick bite of today’s latest news from around the region and the nation.
Loading…
The evening wrap
Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening.
Loading…
Your morning news
Today’s top stories curated by our news team.
Loading…
Today’s Paper Alert
Your digital replica of Today’s Paper. Ready to read from 5am!
Loading…
The Echidna
Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more.
Loading…
Explore Travel News
Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe.
Loading…
The Informer
Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday.
Loading…
Motoring
Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarGuide, ACM’s exclusive motoring partner.
Loading…
Property
Real local, smart property news for regional Australia
Loading…
Your favourite puzzles
Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily!
Loading…
The Senior newsletters
Stay in the know on news that matters to you with twice weekly newsletters from The Senior.
Loading…
Sport
The latest news, results & expert analysis.
Loading…
Voice of Real Australia
Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network’s editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over.
Loading…
Note from the Editor
Get the editor’s insights: what’s happening & why it matters.
Loading…
What’s On
Going out or staying in? Find out what’s on.
Loading…