Central Coast Mariners land AirAsia as the major partner for 2023/24 AFC Cup campaign

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AirAsia and Central Coast Mariners
Image credit: AirAsia

The Central Coast Mariners have announced that AirAsia have signed on as a major partner for the club’s historic AFC Cup campaign in 2023/24, the first time the Mariners have been in an Asian competition since 2014.

The partnership connects the two entities with AirAsia preparing to be involved in various initiatives aimed at promoting effortless travel and access throughout Asia within the Central Coast community.

AirAsia, the world’s best low-cost airline, is renowned for its commitment to affordable travel, exceptional service, and connecting people across the region to over 150 destinations.

The AirAsia Group has transformed over recent times to become more than just an airline with over 10 travel and lifestyle digital services including flights, accommodation, ride hailing, and deliveries.

It is hardly a surprise to see AirAsia eventually collaborate with a football club in the A-League Men competition, with their commitment to supporting sports and community in Australia and New Zealand being pretty well-documented in recent years.

This will mean great international travel for the local community towards Asian countries as the club look to attract as many fans to these group stages matches as possible, which have been earned through a fantastic 22/23 A-League Men’s campaign.

In the group, fans can potentially travel to Malaysia (Terengganu FC), the Philippines (Stallions) or Indonesia (Bali United) as the club embarks on history.

Central Coast Mariners’ CEO Shaun Mielekamp explained the impact this partnership was going to have on the club.

“We are delighted to welcome AirAsia on board as our major partner for the AFC Cup campaign. Their reputation as a dynamic and forward-thinking company aligns perfectly with our vision for success on the international stage,” he said in a club press release.

“With their support, we are confident that we can make a strong impact in the AFC Cup. After the success of winning the A-League Championship in 2023, part of our strategy is attracting global brands whilst still remaining connected to our community.”

AirAsia brand co. Chief Executive Officer Rudy Khaw explained how there was a fantastic congruency between the two parties.

“We are proud to partner with the 2023 A-League leaders in their journey through the AFC Cup,” Khaw added via media release.

“Football has the unique power to bring people together, regardless of borders, and we believe this partnership will not only elevate the Mariners but also inspire fans and communities across the region to be part of the action, thanks to our great value fares which enable everyone to travel.

“We look forward to an exciting and successful campaign together and to taking the team to new heights.“

The collaboration signifies a joint goal in promoting Australian football to Asia as well as the Mariners trying to ensure a lasting impact both nationally and regionally in Asia. The service provided by AirAsia will play a huge role in the team’s success and is a fantastic partnership selection by the Gosford-based club.

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Central Coast Mariners Women secure future under Holman Barnes Group

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Image Credits: Central Coast Mariners

The future of the Central Coast Mariners Women has been secured after the Holman Barnes Group (HBG) reached an agreement to become the new operator of the club’s A-League Women program. The deal ends uncertainty surrounding the team’s participation in the 2026/27 season.

The agreement between HBG, the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) and Total Soccer Growth Holdings (TSG) ensures the Mariners will remain in the Ninja A-League Women competition. It also introduces a new operating model designed to provide long-term stability.

The uncertainty emerged following TSG’s acquisition of the Central Coast Mariners’ men’s side and academy in June. The women’s program was excluded from the original takeover. TSG already owns English football side Queens Park Rangers (QPR) and MLS club Los Angeles FC. The omission placed the future of the 2025 A-League Women champions in doubt. It also prompted the APL to seek a sustainable solution ahead of the new campaign.

A new operating model

Under the new arrangement, HBG will oversee all operational aspects of the women’s team. This includes the football program, staffing and day-to-day management. TSG will retain the club licence and continue overseeing the men’s program and academy. It will also support the women’s operation through its broader football network.

The agreement represents an innovative partnership between the three organisations. It has been designed to strengthen the long-term sustainability of professional women’s football on the Central Coast. HBG’s plans extend beyond the senior team. They include a strong focus on developing participation pathways and creating greater opportunities for female footballers throughout New South Wales.

Attention turns to the new season

The transition comes at a crucial time with preparations for the 2026/27 Ninja A-League Women season underway ahead of its October 16 start. The new operators are expected to begin managing the program immediately. This remains subject to the completion of the remaining regulatory processes. The team currently has no sponsors and games are expected to be moved away from Central Coast Stadium.

The A-League had previously set a July 31 deadline for new owners to be found to secure a place in the upcoming competition. With that now achieved, HBG will be on the clock to ensure the season begins without disruption and becomes a commercial success.

For the Central Coast Mariners Women, the agreement delivers certainty after a turbulent off-season. It also allows the club to shift its attention to the 2026/27 campaign and the team’s on-field performance.

South Melbourne’s Australia Cup triumph reignites promotion and relegation debate

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Image Credit: The Greek Herald

South Melbourne FC’s dramatic 2-1 victory over Adelaide United in the Hahn Australia Cup Round of 32 has reignited debate around promotion and relegation in Australian football, with Co-President Bill Papastergiadis stating the result is further proof that ambitious National Premier Leagues clubs deserve a pathway to the top tier.

The Victorian powerhouse produced one of the competition’s biggest upsets at Lakeside Stadium, overturning an early deficit to eliminate the Isuzu UTE A-League side and secure a place in the Round of 16.

While the result was celebrated as another example of the magic of the Australia Cup, Papastergiadis believes the victory carries a much broader message about the strength that exists outside Australia’s professional league.

Speaking following the win, Papastergiadis said South Melbourne’s performance demonstrated why the Australian football landscape should move towards a connected pyramid featuring promotion and relegation.

“The result was South Melbourne FC’s revenge 22 years in the making,” Papastergiadis said.

“It also demonstrates that clubs in the National Premier Leagues have the quality, professionalism and ambition to compete with A-League opposition when given the opportunity.”

For years, South Melbourne has been one of the strongest advocates for structural reform within Australian football, consistently calling for an open pyramid that rewards sporting merit rather than maintaining a closed league system.

Papastergiadis argued that Australia Cup fixtures continue to showcase the depth of talent throughout the domestic game, with NPL clubs regularly proving they can challenge and defeat professional opponents despite operating with significantly fewer resources.

He believes these performances should not simply be viewed as isolated “cupsets”, but as evidence that Australia’s football ecosystem is ready to embrace a promotion and relegation model that provides ambitious clubs with a genuine pathway to the top flight.

The result against Adelaide United adds another significant chapter to South Melbourne’s storied history. One of Australia’s most successful clubs, South Melbourne has long maintained aspirations of returning to the national stage, backed by a passionate supporter base, strong infrastructure and a proud footballing tradition.

For Papastergiadis, victories such as Thursday night’s reinforce the argument that clubs should earn opportunities through performances on the pitch.

“The Australia Cup continues to show what’s possible when clubs from different levels of the football pyramid compete against one another,” he said.

“Our football should be built on opportunity and merit. Clubs that perform consistently and invest in their communities should have the chance to progress to the highest level.”

South Melbourne will now turn its attention to the Round of 16, where it will look to continue its impressive cup run.

Beyond the result itself, however, the victory has once again fuelled discussion around the future of Australia’s football structure and whether the growing strength of clubs outside the A-League should accelerate the push towards a fully connected national competition.

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