Coast Football Weekly – Ep. 14 | Featuring: Chris Ackerley

Coast Football Weekly – Ep. 18 | Featuring: Greg Brownlow

In this episode of Coast Football Weekly, we’re joined by Greg Brownlow. He is a current Berkeley Vale player and club president, Business Development Manager at Central Coast Sports College, and former CEO of the Central Coast Mariners. Greg has experienced football on the Central Coast from almost every angle, and in this conversation we dive into the different roles that have shaped his journey through the game. We talk about his upbringing into sport and playing Tennis at a high level. We talk about what it takes to run a community football club and the importance of creating a strong culture at Berkeley Vale. Greg also reflects on his time as CEO of the Central Coast Mariners, sharing insight into working in professional football. We also discuss his current role at Central Coast Sports College and the work being done to create better opportunities for young athletes across the region, while helping students balance education, personal development and their sporting ambitions.

Coast Football Weekly – Ep. 17 | Featuring: Peter Preston

In this episode of Coast Football Weekly, we’re joined by Central Coast Football’s Coaching Development Manager, Pete Preston. We start by diving into Football NSW’s new Association Championships, with Central Coast Football set to send four teams away to represent the region. We also discuss the growth of coach education on the Central Coast, including the coaching courses now being delivered locally, the work CCF has done in recent years to support coaches at all levels, and the significance of bringing a B Licence course to Pluim Park. In the second half of the episode, we go through Pete’s own football journey from his playing career with Macarthur, Illawarra, and on the Central Coast, to his coaching roles with Central Coast representative teams. We also reflect on the players Pete has worked with over the years, including those who have gone on to play locally, in the NPL, A-League, overseas and at international level.

Coast Football Weekly – Ep. 16 | Featuring: Sarah Hudson

In this episode of Coast Football Weekly, we’re joined by Sarah Hudson, current Killarney WPL coach, who has helped guide the side through an incredible unbeaten run. Sarah’s first season in charge saw Killarney go undefeated and win all three trophies on offer, and this season they have continued that form, remaining undefeated once again. We dive into Sarah’s football journey, from starting out at Umina United and Woy Woy, to becoming the only girl in Central Coast Football’s inaugural Academy, making her First Grade debut at just 11 years old, and progressing through representative pathways. Sarah also reflects on some huge moments from her playing career, her successful years in local football, her move into coaching, what she learned as a player that shaped her coaching style, her experience with Killarney’s WPL squad, and what has made the team so hard to beat over the past two seasons.

Coast Football Weekly – Ep. 15 | Featuring: Alex Burgin

In this episode of Coast Football Weekly, we’re joined by Central Coast Football CEO Alex Burgin for a behind-the-scenes look at how football is run across the Coast. Alex takes us through his journey in sport administration, from his early years at Central Coast Football to his time working in the AFL system, and what eventually brought him back to lead CCF as CEO. We dive into the growth of football on the Central Coast, including another record-breaking registration season in 2026, the challenges that come with managing more players and fixtures than ever before, and the work that goes into supporting clubs, volunteers and competitions across the region. Alex also shares insight into some of CCF’s major initiatives and events, his relationship with clubs and council, the importance of facilities, upgrades at Pluim Park, office day-today, judiciary processes, the continued growth of the MPL and WPL competitions, and what the future of football on the Central Coast could look like.

Coast Football Weekly – Ep. 14 | Featuring: Chris Ackerley

In this episode of Coast Football Weekly, we’re joined by former Killarney MPL head coach Chris Ackerley, the man behind the greatest dynasties in Central Coast football history. Chris takes us through his football journey, how he first got into coaching, and what eventually led him to Killarney. From there, we dive into the incredible run that saw Killarney finish first in the Men’s Premier League for seven straight seasons, a record-breaking achievement that had never been done before. We talk about the standards, culture, players and mentality that helped build such a dominant side, how hard it is to stay at the top year after year, and what made that Killarney team so special. Chris also reflects on life after Killarney, his move to East Gosford, and the new challenge of coaching in Division 1 as he looks to build success in a different environment.