Wrexham AFC Women appoint Mari Edwards as new manager

Wrexham AFC Women has announced Mari Edwards as its new manager ahead of the inaugural FAW Tier 2 North League season.

Edwards, 30, who was in charge of Airbus UK Women for the last two years, has left the Wingmakers to replace Luke Wynne in the Wrexham dug-out.

A UEFA B Licence holder and fluent Welsh speaker, she was a prolific goal scorer in the Denbigh Town team which won the North Wales League in 2014/15 and reached the Welsh Cup semi-finals the following season.

She moved to Airbus in 2016 as player-assistant manager, before taking the reins as manager at the club in 2019.

On the move to Wrexham, Edwards said: “I’m really pleased to be given this opportunity, I’m very excited to be a part of this group.

“It’s an exciting time for the women’s game in Wrexham, with the Club putting their stamp on it.

“There’s exciting changes – bringing in a sports therapist, conditioning coach and analysis – it’s a massive boost for the women’s game.

“The players here have great potential, they seem like a great set of girls, the talent’s there and there’s also the pathway for younger players. There is a great structure in place.

‘Fiercely competitive’

She added: “With the new structure the FAW have put in place, it’s going to be a fiercely competitive league.

“But with what Wrexham have put in place, the work going on behind the scenes, the players here and the new players brought in, we can be competitive.

“I know the coaches here, we have a similar philosophy and a similar goal – to get Wrexham into the Welsh Women’s Premier League in the next three years.”

Head of Female Football, and women’s team secretary, Gemma Owen said: “We are delighted to welcome Mari to the Football Club at this exciting time for women’s football in North Wales.

“Mari has been successful as a player and manager at our level, and is aligned with the Club’s vision moving forwards.

“We had a good level of interest in the vacant manager’s role, and we would like to thank all who applied for their interest.

“After interviewing Mari, however, it was clear she was the stand-out candidate and the manager to take us forward. We have big ambitions for the Wrexham AFC Women team, and I am excited to work with Mari as we look to fulfil those.”