A-Leagues reveal next rescue act after saving Canberra

George Clarke |

APL chair Stephen Conroy, ASG’s Theo Fotopoulos and Morris McAlister, and APL boss Steve Rosich.
APL chair Stephen Conroy, ASG’s Theo Fotopoulos and Morris McAlister, and APL boss Steve Rosich.

The Australian Professional Leagues hope to find a new owner for the Central Coast Mariners’ A-League Women team within a fortnight after securing the future of two-time champions Canberra United. 

After two years of uncertainty, Australian Sports Group (ASG) was announced on Friday as the new owner of Canberra’s licence, and APL chief executive Steve Rosich told AAP he was confident of a similar outcome for the Mariners. 

Canberra have been propped up by the ACT government over the past two years, and the APL’s lengthy wait to find new ownership has previously prompted fierce criticism from club legend Michelle Heyman. 

Canberra United logo.
With the future of Canberra United women’s team secured, a men’s side is in the pipeline. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)

But subject to passing Football Australia’s statutory checks, ASG will take the team forward and will have first rights to introduce an A-League Men side in the national capital for the 2028/29 season.

While Western United won’t return to the ALW next season, a resolution on Canberra is a positive result for Rosich.

The APL boss is bullish about the chances of securing new owners for the Mariners’ ALW team, who were left without a backer last month.

Total Soccer Growth Holdings (TSG) – an investment group that owns stakes in Queens Park Rangers and MLS side Los Angeles FC – bought the Mariners’ ALM team only. 

“With today’s announcement on Canberra United, our singular focus is now on the Central Coast Mariners and the opportunity for a specific investor in that team,” Rosich told AAP.

“Pleasingly, there’s multiple parties we’re engaged with, and we’re working towards an end-of-month or first week of August timeline. 

“That would enable the fixture list to be released soon after, and at this stage we’re planning on the same number of teams as last year. 

“There are opportunities for women-specific investment, and if one of the opportunities with the Mariners women can progress then we think that could be a positive benchmark for future women’s investment.”

Canberra United.
The future is looking much brighter for two-time A-League Women champions Canberra United. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)

ASG, fronted by chief executive Theo Fotopoulos and chair Morris McAlister, will take charge of the running of Canberra’s ALW side with immediate effect, before turning their attention to setting up an ALM team.

Fotopoulos said getting a men’s team in the national capital – not seen since the days of the National Soccer League – was a key component of the club’s strategy. 

He said the Canberra region had more than 30,000 registered junior participants. 

APL chair Stephen Conroy and ASG chief Theo Fotopoulos.
APL chair Stephen Conroy and ASG chief Theo Fotopoulos were having a ball at Friday’s announcement. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)

“We believe that the strength comes from both,” said Fotopoulos, whose background is in sports marketing. 

“We’ve got a bit of work to do to service that (region), so it would be almost discriminatory not to to work with the men, as it’s always been part of our plans.” 

AAP