The Central Coast Mariners have announced they will be submitting a letter of intent today to enter a team in the W-League in the 2022\/23 season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The intention follows an announcement from the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) the W-League will be expanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Mariners said they are determined to enter the W-League competition and complete the pathway to professional football for aspiring females on the Coast and in their Academy teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is a very important and logical step for the club to provide a completeness of brand and ensure that football remains the number one sport on the Central Coast, from grassroots through to the professional game in men\u2019s and now women\u2019s,\u201d the Mariners said in a statement.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
On top of this, the Central Coast Mariners working with Central Coast Council have submitted an application to FIFA for the Central Coast to be nominated as a base camp for the upcoming Women\u2019s World Cup in 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Mariners inclusion into the W-League is an important step to ensure that the required infrastructure requirements are reached and that the impact of the Women\u2019s World Cup will hold long term benefits, leaving a great legacy for female sport on the Coast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf successful, the Central Coast region will also benefit, giving the community unique exposure to what will be the biggest football event ever held in Australia,\u201d the Central Coast Mariners said in a statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And if that\u2019s not enough excitement, the Mariners say the additional home matches the W-League will bring to the Central Coast will provide not only more exciting match days for families to attend, but it will also aid with job and economic growth for the region and become the second team to represent the Central Coast on the national stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Central Coast Mariners Chief Executive Officer Shaun Mielekamp said this is tremendous news but a lot of work lies ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is tremendous news and whilst we are excited, we cannot get complacent, as there lies a lot of work ahead of us, hence, we are looking at entering the competition in the 2022\/23 season,\u201d Mr Mielekamp said,<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe time is finally here after years of hard work, dedication, research and progress for the women\u2019s game on the Coast. The opportunity is now right there for us to take advantage of, and the barriers of our past proposals no longer exist.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mr Mielekamp said that the formal submission of intent is a huge step for the club.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMaking this formal submission of intent is a huge step for the club and I look forward to working extremely closely with the APL to ensure that our strategy and submission to enter into the W-League is one of the most exciting and successful expansions ever made by the league,\u201d he said,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI know our community is ready and this is also fundamental to the long-term security and stability of the club on the Central Coast.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe whole country will be watching, and it is time to unlock and deliver the pathway for talented young female footballers on the Coast which previously was non-existent.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Central Coast Mariners will submit a completed strategy and plan for the APL to consider by the end of the year and seek to ensure that it is fully endorsed by the PFA to align and enhance the growth of the game in this country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Listen via the Star 104.5 Player, download it now via the <\/em>App Store<\/em><\/a> or <\/em>Google Play<\/em><\/a> and take Star 104.5 wherever you go.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
WATCH: Wake up with a laugh and join <\/em><\/strong>Rabbit & Sarah for Breakfast<\/em><\/strong><\/a>, weekdays, 6am-9am.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n
\/\/\/\/ EMBED CODE –