Mariners open first stage of their Centre of Excellence

The Central Coast Mariners have opened the first stage of their Centre of Excellence campus.

Located in Tuggerah on the NSW Central Coast, the training headquarters and community hub features an aquatic centre managed by YMCA Swim Schools, eight five-a-side and two seven-a-side all weather pitches leased to Soccer5s, plus a tournament sized football pitch which provides the primary base for Central Coast Mariners first team training and Foxtel National Youth League matches.

The facility also features coaching and players’ quarters complete with an on-site gym and office space, physiotherapy rooms, two changing rooms complete with bathrooms and showers, a licensed Copa Café attached to Soccer5s, and parking for in excess of 100 vehicles.

When completed in 2017, the development aims to be one of the premier sports training facility of its kind in Australia, reaffirming the Mariners’ commitment to the Central Coast, its people and ambitions. The vision is that one day the venue will become the home of Australia’s men’s and women’s national football teams.

Work on Stage Two of the Central Coast Mariners Centre of Excellence will commence in November and feature a six-storey office block, a gym and fitness centre for community use, as well as additional car parking.

The Soccer5s has been operational since 2011, attracting an average of 1,500 enthusiastic local footballers each week over the last year while the site has already been utilised for Foxtel National Youth League matches and served as a training venue for the Socceroos and Young Socceroos. 

Commenting on the opening, Mariners Chairman Michael Charlesworth stated “our vision is to build a long term sustainable model that enables the Club to be based here in Tuggerah for the next 100 years with the facilities eventually becoming the home of all the Australian national football teams.”

“I want football to one day become the biggest sport in Australia and our national teams to be competing to win the major tournaments globally just like we achieve in so many other sports. Our Centre of Excellence with the wonderful support of the Federal and local governments can help achieve this goal.”

Charlesworth also praised everyone who has been part of the Centre of Excellence vision over the past five years, adding “this is a major achievement for the Central Coast. I'd like to thank everyone who's been a part of this vision over the last five years and ask for everyone's continued support in building the best sporting centre in Australia over the next five years.”

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17th March 2014 - GOSFORD CITY COUNCIL’S NEW APPROACH TO MANAGEMENT OF CENTRAL COAST STADIUM

29th July 2011 - MARINERS BREAK GROUND ON CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE

10th June 2011 - SOCCER5S AUSTRALIA SET FOR CENTRAL COAST OPENING