Central Coast Mariners have appointed Emily Husband as head coach as they prepare for their first season in the A-League Women in 2023/24.
With a strong coaching background - including as head coach of Sydney University's first-grade women's team and ALW assistant with Canberra United in 2021 - Husband is excited by the challenge of guiding the Mariners' inaugural campaign.
"From our first match of next season we will look to compete," she said.
"That is going to be the number one objective - bringing the girls together, immersing them into the culture and getting them to represent the club in a positive way."
Husband was named the NSW NPL 1 coach of the year in 2022 after guiding her Sydney University first-grade and reserve-grade teams to success.
She will continue in her role at Sydney Uni while working with Mariners current NSW NPL 2 head coach Dan Barrett during the transition period.
Barrett will remain with the club as head of women's academy football.
A former youth player with Manchester City and Leeds, Husband enjoyed senior stints with clubs including Huddersfield Town. She is looking forward to taking the reins in Gosford.
"It will be a huge challenge, which I am absolutely ready for and willing to take on," she said.
"It is exciting that I get to come in and put my footprint in the Central Coast and the Mariners."
Husband will now turn her attention to player recruitment for next season.
