‘Players are nothing without coaches’: Rowe praises new coach Emily Husband

The Central Coast Mariners announced the signing of Irish international Sarah Rowe for the remainder of the 2024/25 A-League Women season on Thursday morning.

Rowe, who made her senior debut for Ireland in a 1-1 draw with Hungary in 2015, has also played Gaelic football, AFLW for Collingwood, and played for Melbourne Victory in the 2022/23 A-League Women season.

Returning to football following the conclusion of the AFLW season, Rowe said she was excited to be joining the Mariners and to play under Emily Husband with her coaching style, which she said was a big reason she signed for the Gosford based side.

“I did a lot of research on her before I came here, because I think players are nothing without coaches,” Rowe said.

“We need so much help and guidance all the time and I think [with] Central Coast being a new team and having up and coming young players coming through and only being their second year, I’d love to be able to come in and add something to an environment like that, and I also love the way they play.”

Having played multiple sports and switching between the three over the years, Rowe acknowledged that the transition was always difficult and it was about embracing humility as you get back up to speed with the demands of the new sport.

She said that having started in football as a kid, she has some natural ability, but also when playing a different sport, you have to coach it out of yourself, and re-learn your trade again, and that doing the small things will be key.

Rowe, who can play as both a midfielder and a defender, also hopes that her experience will allow her to bring her resiliency to the club.

“Transitioning sports isn’t always easy, going from Gaelic football in Ireland to soccer to AFLW, it always brings its challenges, but the one thing that I do know is that if you have a strong mindset towards them, you can get past anything,” she said.

“I think being able to bring that experience hopefully and push training standards and working hard [will] show my teammates that I’m willing to apply myself in everything that I do and work really hard because I think that’s the most important thing.”

Emily Husband said that it is fantastic to have someone of Rowe’s experience join the club, which will be a benefit on and off the field, and it will help to push the team forward.

“She has a brilliant work ethic so we know on the field she will work really hard and do everything that we need and has strong leadership qualities as well,” Husband said. 

“Sarah is another player that we have who is strong and tough in defence, can deliver a great ball and is also hugely athletic. It is great to have her on the team.”