From the Football Mid North Coast region to captaining Australia to ASEAN under-19s Boys Championship glory, Haine Eames has become the latest Northern NSW Football product to shine on the international stage.
Australia defeated Thailand 2-0 in the final to secure its first ASEAN under-19 Boys Championship title since 2019 on Saturday 13 June 2026, with Eames leading the Young Socceroos throughout the tournament.
The achievement marked another milestone in a journey that began with Camden Haven Redbacks before Eames continued his development at Mid Coast FC.
He took another significant step forward in 2022 when he earned selection in the NNSWF under-14 Boys squad for the National Youth Championships. His performances at the tournament, highlighted by a stunning 30-metre strike, earned him a place in the Central Coast Mariners Academy.
“I was playing for Mid Coast from under-13s until under-15s, then I played at [National Youth Championships] one time and then I went straight to [Central Coast] Mariners after that tournament,” Eames said.
“Definitely a key memory [from the National Youth Championships] was out on the back field. I got told that [Australia national coaching staff] were all watching and then I went on to score a first-time goal from about 30 yards out.”
Eames continued his rise through the ranks at the Mariners and earned a call-up to the Joeys, where he represented Australia at the ASEAN under-17 Boys Championships.
He made his A-League Men’s debut for the Central Coast Mariners on 18 October 2024 after coming off the bench. Just two months later, he became the Mariners’ youngest-ever starter and marked the occasion with a goal in a 1-1 draw against Macarthur FC.
His rapid progression continued this year when he captained the Young Socceroos on their way to ASEAN under-19 Boys Championship success.
“It was a big privilege to wear the armband and lead the team,” Eames said.
“It was a good camp but it was very hot over there, so it was difficult to play the games. We came up against some good teams. Indonesia had very big crowds as well, so they had all of them behind them.
“It’s a whole different football game. You’ve got to adapt to different things.”
Eames said winning the championship meant everything to the squad and created a memory that will stay with him forever.
“It's pretty much everything. You don’t go into a tournament thinking, ‘Oh, I'm here to participate, I want to get second’. You go into every tournament wanting to win,” Eames said.
“When we got into that final, I said to all the boys, ‘This is the last game that you'll ever play in this tournament. There is no next match, this is the last time and if you want to win this and go home to your family and tell this story down the line to your kids and your family, you have to give it your all’.
“It's something that I’ll remember for my whole life.”
After progressing from regional football in northern NSW to captaining Australia on the international stage, Eames hopes his journey inspires the next generation of players to chase their own opportunities.
“Just keep working hard. It can come at any given time if you just keep working, impress the right people and do the hard work,” Eames said.
“Once you get the opportunity, go and take it. Don't be afraid of the challenge.”