Northern NSW Football confirm Peter Haynes as their CEO

Staff Writer
Peter Haynes
Image credit: Northern NSW Football

Northern NSW Football (NNSWF) has announced Peter Haynes as their new Chief Executive Officer on a three-year contract.

Haynes is the former NNSWF Head of Football and was named as Interim CEO in December after David Eland’s departure. The NNSWF has now decided to go with Haynes as the CEO proper, following a lengthy search and recruitment process.

Haynes has the opportunity to fully lead NNSWF, adding to a career that’s been immersed in all footballing levels.

NNSWF Chair Mike Parsons was said via press release.

“Peter is a natural leader with enormous passion and knowledge of the game at many levels,” he stated.

“Since December when he was appointed to the Interim CEO role, Peter has engaged with a range of NNSWF stakeholders to listen and understand what they see as priorities for the sport in northern NSW.

“Peter will bring a fresh, innovative approach and is keen to lead the organisation to be the largest and most popular sport for females and males throughout northern NSW.”

Regarding the announcement, Haynes added via press release:

“Having led the organisation over the last five months, I am honoured to be appointed CEO and to be able to continue engaging and working collaboratively with the various stakeholders that form part of the wider Northern NSW Football family,” Haynes said.

“The newly formed board carry a broad range of skills and, together, I believe we can bring a fresh approach and vision for the future of the sport in northern NSW.

“My focus will be to listen to the views of the wider stakeholder group, from grassroots to those involved in the sport at a semi-professional level. This year we will embark on creating a new three-year strategic plan and to have a new board and CEO in place as we move towards this planning is exciting for the organisation and all involved.

“I believe we are all aligned in that it is important that football remains inclusive for all and that Northern NSW Football provides our member zones and clubs with a platform that enhances the sport, whether that be for those that play for fun, or those talented individuals who are looking to progress to the professional level.

“I look forward to continuing to work with the dedicated team at Northern NSW Football, Chair Mike Parsons and the Northern NSW Football board to ensure we can make significant progress and demonstrate that we are bringing a fresh approach.”

The role will officially commence for Haynes from May 1, 2023.

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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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