Central Coast Mariners extend Masterfoods partnership

Avatar

The iconic sauce bottles are set to remain standing alongside the palm trees at Central Coast Stadium, following the announcement that Masterfoods have committed to supporting the Central Coast Mariners for another two seasons as the club’s official Community Partner for the 2021/22 Isuzu UTE A-League season.

Masterfoods have supported the Mariners since 2012, and have held the role of Major Sponsor for nine years. Throughout this time, Masterfoods and their sauce bottles have become synonymous with the Central Coast community and football fans alike.

The transition to Official Community Partner of the Central Coast Mariners symbolises the dedicated relationship Masterfoods has with the Central Coast region and its club.

The new role will see Masterfoods continue to support youth development through the Mariners Academy, with their logo featuring across all playing kits. In addition, Masterfoods will help empower School Holiday Clinics and Community Programs that the club provides for the Central Coast region.

Speaking on this new role for Masterfoods, Mariners CEO Shaun Mielekamp was delighted to see the brand – that has become closely affiliated with the Mariners – choose to stay with the club.

“Once again, Masterfoods have shown exemplary loyalty and support for the Central Coast community in supporting us for a further two years as the official Community Partner,” Mielekamp said.

“After several years as the Major Partner for the club, we now have this excellent opportunity to shift focus towards some more specific outcomes within the community and Academy areas of the club.

“This partnership will allow us to drive more resources and outcomes in our Schools and Community programs, ensuring that there is added support for our most important player pathways within the Academy for not only the boys, but the important girls program that is being built to underpin our upcoming A-League Women’s team which is set to enter the competition next year.”

General Manager of Mars Food Australia Bill Heague emphasised the importance of community as the key reason behind the continuation of their support of the Mariners and the Central Coast region.

“Masterfoods are thrilled to be supporting the Mariners again for the 2021/22 season. This long-term partnership represents a mutual understanding of what’s important to Australians – supporting local communities and spending time with loves ones, whether that be at a football match or around a BBQ,” he said.

“While the last 18 months have been really challenging for the Central Coast and beyond, we look forward to getting back into the stadium with friends and family, and most importantly getting behind the team throughout the whole season.”

Previous ArticleNext Article

Blacktown District Soccer Football Association Launches Youth League and Poaching Program

Avatar
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

Avatar
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.

Most Popular Topics

Editor Picks

Send this to a friend