Central Coast Mariners rising star Tiana Fuller reveals heartwarming reason behind trademark hair style

Teenage football sensation Tiana Fuller has been labelled the next Sam Kerr but the 16-year-old does a simple thing before every game to remind herself where her journey started.

She has been dubbed the new Sam Kerr, a football prodigy but there is one simple thing that 16-year-old Central Coast Mariners’ Tiana Fuller does before every game to keep her from getting caught up in the hype.

She ties her hair in a bun.

It’s not for comfort, or practicality reasons.

It’s a nod to her dad – a reminder of what it has taken to get here.

Fuller, just 16 and in Year 11, signed with Central Coast Mariners this ALW season after first honing her skills playing against the boys and later with the Football NSW Institute.

She was sitting in a classroom when she got the text from coach Emily Husband offering her a contract.

Tiana Fuller in action for the Mariners. The teenaged phenomenon has been compared to Sam Kerr. Picture: Scott Gardiner/Getty Images

“It was surreal, it didn’t soak in until a few days later that I’d signed with an A-League’s club,” Fuller said.

Her first A-League’s Women’s appearances were off the bench – she scored two goals in her first two games.

She now has four from 11 appearances.

Sam Kerr took 10 games to score her first two goals as a 15-year-old. Prolific ALW striker Princess Ibini took 18 games to get her first two goals.

Debut Ninja A-League game, debut Ninja A-League goal ✅

A moment for the history books from 16-year-old Tiana Fuller the last time we played Canberra United! 📚#CCMFC#RideTheWave🌊 pic.twitter.com/sOeMI1uy0o

— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) February 8, 2025

Fuller said she was gobsmacked when she read people were comparing her to one of the world’s greatest footballers – Kerr.

Aside from a confidence boost it hasn’t altered her approach, goals or plans.

Before every game she has the same routine.

She eats a plate of eggs for breakfast and ties her hair in a bun.

“I’ve been through a lot of hairstyles but I started with the bun when I was young,” Fuller said.

“I couldn’t do my hair and my dad always did my hair for me, I wouldn’t let anyone else do it for me.

“It was only my dad.

“He’s a big part of my journey and he’s always there.”

It was Fuller’s dad Jason who got her into football.

“He was a coach and was the one that signed me up for it. We spent hours at the park during Covid. If we weren’t doing anything we were at the park for half the day, every day.

“It helped my game so much.”

Central Coast Mariners midfielder Tiana Fuller, 16, wears her hair in the same bun every match. Photo: Instagram

Central Coast Mariners 16-year-old rising star Tiana Fuller with her dad Jason - who was her first coach as a junior. Photo: supplied

Fuller said her dad was in the stands for every one of the Mariners’ home games and travelled with her siblings and mum to the away games when possible.

“He is just always there,” she said.

“Every time I have a bad game he is encouraging and we always look for the positives in each game and things we can work and build on as an individual.”

Fuller said life as a teenage professional footballer could be a challenge – especially juggling school, training, games and homework.

But to Fuller the challenge is worth it.

“I’ve wanted to play in the ALW since I was 10 and being a ball kid for league games,” Fuller said.

“It’s something I’ve been watching for years and telling myself I want to be on that field.

“I thought it wouldn’t happen until I was 18 or 19 – but the opportunity has come much earlier.”

Tiana Fuller has scored four goals from her first 11 ALW games. Picture: Scott Gardiner/Getty Images

Her impressive on field performances have been noticed by national team selectors as well – named in the Young Matildas U-20s side for the PacificAus Four Nations Tournament next week.

While a big step Fuller knows she still has a lot to do before she achieves her ultimate goal of one day playing for the Matildas.

“This is a massive step for me but I’m just taking my journey one step at a time,” she said.

Central Coast Mariners will travel to play Melbourne Victory at 5pm on Sunday.

Originally published as Central Coast Mariners rising star Tiana Fuller reveals heartwarming reason behind trademark hair style