Former U-17 Joey Kye Rowles has re-signed with the Central Coast Mariners until 2021. The 20-year-old defender has made 34 A-League appearances since his debut in 2017 and was delighted to be staying on with the club.
“It’s a great feeling to sure up your future for the next couple of years as it allows you to really focus on what you want to achieve with the team,” Rowles said.
“Life under Staj so far has been great; he knows the style he wants to play, the structures he wants to instil, so I am really looking forward to continuing to play under him.
Rowles reflected on how the former Matildas head coach Alen Stajcic has turned things around within the culture at the club.
“Staj is disciplined, very positive and in such a short space of time he has instilled so much confidence in the playing group.”
The former FFA Centre of Excellence scholarship holder started all three of the U-17 National Team’s group games at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile in 2015 and more recently made a return to the youth National Team set-up with the Olyroos.
Head coach Alen Stajcic commented on how he can help Rowles achieve his international goals.
“We are delighted to extend Kye’s stay with the Mariners,” Stajcic said.
“This season he has shown what a rock-solid defender he is, now that Kye’s future is confirmed, he can focus on developing and helping the team build towards a big future.
“Individually, Kye will want to work his way into the Australian Under 23’s squad and we want to help him with that over the next 12 – 18 months.”
