Central Coast Mariners appoint first female CEO

Avatar
Image credit: A-Leagues website

The Central Coast Mariners has confirmed the appointment of Alyssar Narey who will become the club’s new Chief Executive Officer.

Formerly working with the APL, Narey becomes the first female CEO of the club and brings a wealth of experience from her extensive career in sports administration, business development and agency management.

“I’m really excited to lead a club with a rich history, filled with great people and with such a strong connection to the community,” Narey said in a media release on the Mariners’ website.

“My goal is to make sure the Mariners continue to remain a pillar for the Central Coast and show what’s possible when a business and its community work together.”

The Central Coast Mariners also commented on the recent appointment:

“Under Alyssar’s leadership, Central Coast Mariners will continue its success, building on the remarkable achievements of recent years,” the club said in a media release on their website.

“Her commitment to the Mariners’ identity as “the community club” will see an increased focus on local engagement, developing talent and ensuring that the Central Coast remains at the heart of all the club’s endeavours.

“Her appointment marks the beginning of an exciting new era for the Mariners, one that promises to bring even greater achievements and a stronger connection with the community,” the club said.

The Central Coast Mariners showed their appreciation to Adam Thomson, who served as Interim CEO for the past six months, playing a crucial role in maintaining the stability and success of the club during their transitional period.

“I want to congratulate Alyssar on this well-deserved appointment. The club is in incredibly safe hands under her leadership, and I look forward to seeing the Mariners continue to thrive,” Thomson said in a media release on the Mariners’ website.

The club also confirmed that Chairman Richard Peil will be stepping back from his day-to-day involvement with the Mariners, playing an instrumental role in guiding the club through some of its most successful seasons.

Jordan Smith, who has been a trusted business partner of Peil’s for many years, will be taking over the role of Executive Chairman while Peil will focus on other business ventures.

Narey and Smith will start work immediately with the Central Coast Mariners, while Adam Thomoson will continue to help the club for a few weeks to help with the transition.

Previous ArticleNext Article

Victory unites with Roasting Warehouse in culture-led partnership

Avatar
Image credit: Melbourne Victory

The Melbourne-based anf family-owned business will join the Victory family, uniting two institutions which represent the city’s culture and identity.

A partnership with local roots

As the newest partner of Melbourne Victory, Roasting Warehouse joins forces with a vital part of the city’s sporting landscape.

The club’s Managing Director, Caroline Carnegie, outlined why the partnership bears so much value to both parties.

“We are excited to collaborate with Roasting Warehouse, a community-oriented destination for high-quality coffee, proud of its foundations in Melbourne,” said Carnegie via official media release.

“Football and coffee sit at the epicentre of Melbourne’s culture. The two go hand-in-hand, consistently at the centre of the conversation that stirs Melburnians, which is no different to the conversation sport and Melbourne Victory stir in the State.”

Indeed, this is a partnership which combines the identity, passions and culture of an entire city, therefore giving it the foundations required for long-term, mutual success.

Representing the best of Melbourne

Both Victory and Roasting Warehouse are hugely successful in their respective industries. They are institutions with community-oriented philosphies, who pride themselves on craft and quality.

“We’re incredibly proud to partner with Melbourne Victory, a club that represents the heart, passion, and ambition of Melbourne,” revealed Roasting Warehouse Head of Brand, Alexander Paraskevopoulos.

“As a Melbourne-founded, family-run business, supporting a team that means so much to the local community feels very natural for us.”

Furthermore, through their high-quality blends, Roasting Warehouse will look to prepare Victory’s players and staff for high performances on the pitch as the seasons nears completion.

But this is about far more than just fueling athletes.

This is a partnership which embodies and unites two of Melbourne’s greatest strengths and cultural markers – a connection forged from the city’s very own DNA.

 

For more information about Roasting Warehouse, click here.

Marie-Louise Eta makes history as new Union Berlin head coach

Avatar
Image credit: FC Union Berlin

In an historic appointment, Eta will take over as head coach of Union Berlin until the end of the season.

History in the making

Previously the first female assistant coach in Bundesliga history with Union Berlin, Eta will now take the reigns of the men’s first team on an interim basis.

Currently, the club sit in 11th place in the Bundesliga table, but with only two wins so far in 2026, relegation appears an all-too-real prospect, and one which the club is desperate to avoid.

“Given the points gap in the lower half of the table, our place in the Bundesliga is not yet secure,” said Eta via official media release.

‘I am delighted that the club has entrusted me with this challenging task. One of Union’s strengths has always been, and remains, the ability to pull together in such situations.”

Eta will begin as Union’s new head coach with immediate effect, and will be in the dugout for the club’s matchup against Wolfsburg this weekend.

 

A step into an equal future

Eta’s appointment signals a major step towards a more level playing field in the football landscape.

Furthermore, Eta joins other coaches including Sabrinna Wittmann, Hannah Dingley and Corinne Diacre who, in recent years, have blazed a trail for female coaches to step into the men’s game.

Wittmann currently manages FC Ingolstadt in Germany’s third division, and was the first female head coach in Germany’s top three divisions.

In 2023, Dingley became caretaker manager of Forest Green Rovers, and thus the first woman to lead a men’s professional team in England.

Diacre, now head coach of France’s women’s national team, managed Ligue 2’s Clerment Foot between 2014 and 2017.

 

Final thoughts

The impact therefore, is that Eta’s appointment will show future generations of aspiring female coaches that men’s football is an equally viable and possible pathway as the women’s game.

The time is now to level the playing field.

And while it may be a short-term role, its effect on attitudes towards equality and fair opportunities in the game will hopefully resonate long after the season ends.

Most Popular Topics

Editor Picks

Send this to a friend