Central Coast Mariners and O’Neills sign multi-year deal

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Image credit: Central Coast Mariners

Sportswear brand O’Neills has signed a multi-year deal to become the Official Merchandise and Kit Supplier for Central Coast Mariners FC.

Known for their innovative sportswear design and fast delivery, O’Neills will supply the Central Coast Mariners Men’s and Women’s teams with playing kits, training gear, and off-field apparel for the 2025–26 A-League season. Supporters can also look forward to fresh and exciting merchandise collections.

History of O’Neills 

Established in 1918 by Charles O’Neills, the Dublin-based company has grown into Ireland’s leading sportswear manufacturer, now providing teamwear to more than 15,000 clubs globally across various sports.

O’Neills made their official entry into the Australian market in 2015 and now operate offices in Sydney and Adelaide. They’re well known among Australian sports fans through their collaborations with major NRL teams such as Penrith Panthers and Melbourne Storm. Their reach also extends to clients in AFL, as well as teams in Super Rugby (ACT Brumbies), field hockey, Gaelic football, and hurling.

Joining forces with the Mariners marks O’Neills’ debut in A-League football, though the brand is no stranger to the sport, supplying kits to several British clubs, including English Championship side Bristol City.

O’Neills Australasian Sales Manager, James Muir, was full of praise for the newly formed relationship between O’Neills and the Central Coast Mariners mentioning how it reflects a shared commitment to innovation, community values, and sporting excellence.

“O’Neills prides itself on innovation, and we wanted to align ourselves with a similarly progressive and community-minded organisation in the Central Coast Mariners,” he said via press release.

“We understand how vital connection is – both to local identity and to broader sporting culture – and we know that Mariners members and supporters represent their community with unmatched pride and passion.

“We’re thrilled to make our A-League debut in partnership with one of the competition’s leading clubs and look forward to supporting their continued success both on and off the field in 2025 and beyond.”

Mariners CEO, Greg Brownlow, was equally positive about the new alliance, mentioning the rich heritage of O’Neills and their innovative approach.

“We’re thrilled to welcome O’Neills as the official merchandise and kit partner of the Central Coast Mariners,” he said via club statement.

“Their rich heritage, commitment to quality and innovative approach aligns perfectly with our club’s values. Together, we look forward to delivering high quality gear for our players, members and the wider Mariners community.”

The club will reveal the kits for next season in the near future.

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Blacktown District Soccer Football Association Launches Youth League and Poaching Program

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Image Credit: Football NSW

Blacktown District Soccer Football Association has outlined a package of initiatives for the 2026 season centred on youth development, coach education and the celebration of female participation, as the Western Sydney association moves to raise standards across community football and strengthen pathways into state-level competition.

The centrepiece of the association’s development agenda is the Blacktown Youth Development League, a new competition structure spanning all youth Division One competitions in the Under-13 to Under-18 age groups, including Phoenix League female competitions involving both BDSFA and GDSFA clubs. The league applies a benchmarking framework adapted from Football NSW‘s junior competition standards, with clubs encouraged to implement structured training environments including a minimum of two sessions per week where possible.

BDSFA General Manager Owen Liiv said the initiative responded to clear demand from within the football community for more substantive development environments.

“It is pretty clear that people want more and better football experiences,” Liiv said. “The measure for us is high-quality youth football competitions within Blacktown and ultimately, stronger performances in state-wide competitions such as the Football NSW State Cup or Football NSW Champion of Champions.”

The referees branch will support the league by prioritising Division One fixtures and providing three-person match control where available, an operational commitment that acknowledges the role officiating quality plays in the overall development environment.

The Managerial Infrastructure

Running alongside the youth competition is a free coach education program, with Foundation of Football courses delivered across BDSFA’s 24 member clubs by permanent association staff. With more than 1,000 registered coaches across the district, BDSFA has set a target of 85 percent achieving Foundation of Football accreditation within three years. Removing cost as a barrier to accreditation is a deliberate structural choice, reflecting growing recognition across Australian football that coaching quality at community level is inseparable from participation outcomes.

The association also launched Female Football Week with a “Cocktails on the Pitch” event at Blacktown Football Park, attended by close to 100 players, coaches, referees, administrators and volunteers. Former Matilda Leah Blayney addressed the gathering, speaking about her pathway from Wentworth Falls to international football. BDSFA has indicated the event is likely to become an annual fixture on the association calendar.

Taken together, the initiatives reflect an association investing deliberately in the structural conditions that determine whether community football grows sustainably rather than opportunistically.

Isabella Mossin awarded Ninja A-League Women Referee of the Year

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Image credit: Football NSW

The youngest recipient since its inception, Mossin will officially receive the award after leading the Ninja A-League Grand Final 2026 on Saturday.

 

A rapid rise

After debuting in 2023, Mossin has quickly proved quality, composure and confidence as a referee in the Ninja A-League.

As a result of the achievement, Mossin will be the appointed referee for this weekend’s Grand Final between Melbourne City FC and Wellington Phoenix.

After beginning in the North West Sydney Football Association, Mossin then honed her craft with the Football NSW Referee Academy, a journey with foundations truly embedded in youth development and grassroots football.

Thus, Mossin is not just am individual success story, but a symbol of what institutional investment and opportunities can do for young women looking for a pathway to the game.

 

Celebrating success

The plaudits, unsurprisngly, are arriving from across Australia’s football landscape, with many emphasising the incredible standards set by Mossin since her debut just three years ago.

“This award is testament to Isabella’s hard work and dedication to refereeing, and a great reflection of the next generation of referees coming through the system in Australia,” said A-Leagues CEO, Steve Rosich.

“At just 25 years of age, she has consistently demonstrated composure, leadership, strong decision-making and the ability to perform under pressure in some of the biggest matches in the competition,” highlighted Football Australia Head of Referees, Jon Moss.

“Having someone refereeing their first Ninja A-league Women’s Grand Final at the age of 25 years should inspire all girls and young women referees (and potential referees) and show them that age is not a barrier to talent being recognised within Football Australia refereeing,” said Chair of Football Australia Referee Committee, David Elleray.

Given Mossin’s reputation and experience already at the top level of women’s football in Australia, there is no doubt that she will rise to the occasion this Saturday.

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