Lady Reds Return to Adelaide United

[adam]

Lady Reds Return to Adelaide United

Adelaide’s Westfield W-League side, affectionately known as the ‘Lady Reds’, will return to management by Hyundai A-League club Adelaide United following five seasons in the care of Football Federation South Australia (FFSA).

FFSA took over operations of the Lady Reds from 2011 to ensure an elite pathway existed for female footballers in South Australia to aspire to, and to compete in at the highest domestic level.

The alignment of all Westfield W-League and Hyundai A-League sides has been imminent, and the timing is now right to move forward as one club.

FFSA Chief Executive Officer Michael Carter said that the reunion is a positive for the state of Women’s football.
“The Lady Reds have been an important function of the FFSA for many years.
“In what is now the final season in our care, the Lady Reds finished in 5th place in the competition, only narrowly missing out on a Finals opportunity.
“FFSA is extremely proud of the Lady Reds and we are pleased with their improved performances year by year. Adelaide United will now take full responsibility for the team and we all look forward to their continued representation in the Westfield W-League.”

Adelaide United Chairman, Greg Griffin, said that the Club is delighted to welcome the Lady Reds back.

“Adelaide United is extremely grateful for the efforts of FFSA in keeping the Lady Reds a functioning and highly competitive outfit in a period when we were simply not ready to run both Men’s and Women’s senior teams," said Mr. Griffin.

“Five years later we are absolutely ready to welcome the Lady Reds back into the Adelaide United Family.

“Adelaide United owes a debt of gratitude to FFSA and, in particular, President Rauf Soulio, who worked tirelessly in keeping the Westfield W-League side in South Australia, which is a pathway for many young South Australians into the Matildas.

“The Club is delighted to bring these talented young athletes and role models back into the fold.

“The Reds have been involved in this decision from the outset and are enthusiastic about having the women as part of our football family together with our National Premier League and Youth league sides.”

For more on the future of the Lady Reds visit www.adelaideunited.com.au

[Black Hawk]

New coach from SA I hope

[Lucas Leiva]

New coach from SA I hope

Would be breaking from the example they've set at AU Men and AU NPL.

[Princess Fiona]

all sounds good.
Hopefully more SA players get a go.

[Stuckey]

Surely they would want to keep Harnwell? He's certainly got the runs on the board from his time at Perth?
Would be sad to see him booted from a second coaching gig over a change of management.

[SwandelPark]

New coach from SA I hope

Harnwell did a bloody good job with the little resources he had, he definitely needs to be offered another season to have another crack. If the bulk of our squad can be kept from last year we'd be a top 3 side.

[FoundIt]

New coach from SA I hope

Harnwell did a bloody good job with the little resources he had, he definitely needs to be offered another season to have another crack. If the bulk of our squad can be kept from last year we'd be a top 3 side.

Harnwell lives in perth, he has a wife and 3 kids. he flew in and flew out during the w-league season to see how it would go - it was not easy for him. it would be hard to get him again considering his family did not relocate, although he seemed to enjoy it and get some great results. his recruiting was also top notch. he would need a full time salary and I am not sure AU are ready to pay that with the season only going 4 months.

[SAD GAL]

Hate / dislike using the word HOPE for this topic however, it does permeate all discussions. I think the women's Red team should get the support it deserves. It will be repaid in spades. AFL have thrown millions into the women's teams. No disrespect, but AFL women's football is where women's prems was 20 years ago. And they still consider it wise to invest mega bucks.

It will be retrograde by A-League teams who have a women's team not to afford decent financial backing.

[OnTheBench]

Are there any capable coaches in SA at present?