Adelaide United FC (women)

This article is about the women's football club. For the men's football club, see Adelaide United FC.

Adelaide United Women

Full name	Adelaide United Football Club
Nickname(s)	The Reds
Founded	2008;17 years ago (2008)
Ground	Marden Sports Complex, Adelaide
Capacity	6,000
Chairman	Ned Morris
Head Coach	Adrian Stenta
League	A-League Women
2023–24	12th of 12
Website	http://adelaideunited.com.au/
Home colours Away colours
Current season

Adelaide United Football Club is an Australian women's soccer team based in Adelaide, South Australia. Founded in 2008, it is the affiliated women's team of Adelaide United. The team competes in the country's premier women's soccer competition, the A-League Women.

History

Establishment

See also: W-League: Establishment

Adelaide United's women's team was formed in 2008 with the inception of the W-League, becoming one of the founding eight teams. ^[1] The inaugural set up saw North Eastern MetroStars coach Michael Barnett take charge ^[2] with ex-Adelaide United player Richie Alagich take up the assistant coach role and Matildas stalwart Dianne Alagich named as captain. ^[3]

2008–2011

Adelaide's first game was on 25 October 2008 against Queensland Roar at the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre, which ended in a 4–1 loss with Sharon Black getting the consolation goal. ^[4] The first win came in Round 2 against the Newcastle Jets at Hindmarsh Stadium, a hard-fought 3–2 win thanks to a hat-trick from Sandra Scalzi. ^[5] The Reds followed this up with another 3–2 win over Sydney FC before failing to win any of their next seven league games, finished last in the eight-team competition in their inaugural season.

After a disappointing inaugural season drastic changes were made to the playing staff including the retirement of experienced campaigners Sharon Black and Dianne Alagich to create a youthful team for the 2009 season. ^{[6] [7]} Despite the new look squad Adelaide continued to struggle in the league failing to win any of the first 5 games which included a record equaling defeat against Sydney FC on 1 November 2009. ^[8] The first goal of the 2009 season was scored by Tenneille Boaler against Newcastle Jets in the round 6 clash at the Wanderers Oval the game ended in a 3 – 3 draw handing Adelaide its second point of the year. ^[9] The season didn't get any better for Adelaide as they failed to win a single game in the second season but thanks to an unlikely 2 all draw with power house team Brisbane Roar they finished the season in 7th place their best ever finish to date. ^[10] Most Valuable player for 2009 season Racheal Quigley.

The 2010–11 season was even worse for Reds as they lost all ten of their W-League matches. They only scored four goals and finished with a disappointing −32 goal differential; they tied their worst defeat with a −1 loss to Newcastle in round nine. Coach Michael Barnett was let go at the end of the disappointing season, and was replaced by David Edmondson.

Adelaide continued to struggle through most of the 2011–12 season as they opened the campaign with six more losses, scoring four goals during that time while letting twenty-one in. This was better pace than the previous season, though, and the Reds showed significant improvement in on-field play versus 2010–2011, cited as being "unlucky" to not come away with at least a point on multiple occasions. They finally snapped their winless and losing streaks, at 34 and 18 games respectively, with a 1–0 defeat of the Perth Glory in round eight, taking them off the bottom of the table for the first time since November 2009.^{[ citation needed ]}

Following Adelaide United taking control of the women's team, their first move was signing Mark Jones as the head coach. ^[11]

2025-

To celebrate International Women’s Day on 8 March 2025, the women's team will play the evening primetime 7:15pm slot for the first time at Hindmarsh Stadium, while the men's team will play the earlier 4:30pm match. ^[12]

Stadium

Main article: Hindmarsh Stadium

Adelaide United WFC used to play their home games at Hindmarsh Stadium where they sometimes play a curtain-raiser to A-League games. As of the 2017/18 season, they play their home games at Marden Sports Complex. In the 2016/17 season, Hindmarsh Stadium was questioned about having portable change rooms for the women's team when there is a double header with the A-League side. This resulted in Adelaide WFC having no matches scheduled during the next season. ^{[13] [14]}

Players

First-team squad

As of 24 December 2024

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 1 GK   AUS Annalee Grove 2 DF   AUS Emily Hodgson 3 FW   AUS Meleri Mullan (scholarship) 4 DF   AUS Matilda McNamara 5 MF   AUS Sarah Morgan 6 MF   AUS Tiarna Karambasis 7 FW   ENG Abby Clarke 8 MF   AUS Emily Condon 10 FW   AUS Chelsie Dawber 11 FW   AUS Isabel Hodgson (captain) 12 MF   JPN Nanako Sasaki 13 DF   AUS Ella Tonkin 14 DF   DOM Lucía León

No. Pos. Nation Player 16 MF   AUS Dylan Holmes (vice-captain) 17 DF   AUS Zoe Tolland 18 MF   AUS Lara Kirkby (scholarship) 19 FW   AUS Katie Bowler 20 MF   AUS Miley Grigg (youth) 21 GK   NZL Claudia Jenkins (scholarship) 22 FW   USA Erin Healy 23 FW   ENG Fiona Worts 24 DF   AUS Abby Middleton (scholarship) 27 MF   AUS Sian Dewey (youth) 28 FW   AUS Chrissy Panagaris (scholarship) 30 GK   AUS Ilona Melegh (youth)

Former players

For notable current and former players, see Category:Adelaide United FC (women) players.

Managers

Current technical staff

Position	Name
Head coach	Adrian Stenta [15]
Assistant coach	Michele Lastella
Assistant coach	Alice Gorman
Goalkeeper coach	Rian Del Nido

Manager history

As of 24 January 2021

Name	From	To	Games	Won	Drawn	Lost	Ref.
Michael Barnett	1 July 2008	30 June 2011	30	2	4	24	[16]
David Edmondson	31 August 2011	13 January 2013	22	3	0	19	[17] [18]
Ross Aloisi	22 August 2013	28 July 2015	24	6	5	13	[19] [20]
Jamie Harnwell	30 July 2015	30 June 2016	12	3	4	5	[21]
Mark Jones	7 September 2016	22 September 2016	0	0	0	0	[22]
Hussein Skenderovic	5 October 2016	30 June 2017	12	3	5	4	[23]
Ivan Karlović	1 July 2017	4 August 2020	24	8	4	12	[24]
Adrian Stenta	4 August 2020		27	16	1	10	[25]

Colours and badge

Since its inception Adelaide United has played in a predominantly all-red home kit. For the inaugural season the away kit consisted of a white top and socks and red shorts; during the 2009 season the away kit changed to a black top with red shorts and socks. The badge is heavily based on the Adelaide United men's team, with the logo being encased in a W-League shield; as is the case with every other W-League club.

Records

Chart of yearly table positions for Adelaide United in A-League Women

Season	League/Division	League Position	Play-offs	Top scorers	Head Coach
2008–09	W-League	8th of 8	–	Victoria Balomenos, Sandra Scalzi (4)	Michael Barnett
2009	W-League	7th of 8	–	Racheal Quigley (5)
2010–11	W-League	7th of 7	–	multiple players scoring 1 goal
2011–12	W-League	7th of 7	–	Marijana Rajcic (3)	David Edmondson
2012–13	W-League	8th of 8	–	Racheal Quigley, Sarah McLaughlin (4)
2013–14	W-League	6th of 8	–	Kristy Moore (3)	Ross Aloisi
2014	W-League	7th of 8	–	Kristy Moore (3)
2015–16	W-League	5th of 9	–	Rosie Sutton, Abby Dahlkemper (5)	Jamie Harnwell
2016–17	W-League	6th of 9	–	Adriana Jones (9)	Hussein Skenderovic
2017–18	W-League	9th of 9	–	Makenzy Doniak (7)	Ivan Karlović
2018–19	W-League	6th of 9	–	Veronica Latsko (9)
2019–20	W-League	8th of 9	–	Mallory Weber (4)
2020–21	W-League	5th of 9	–	Chelsie Dawber (5)	Adrian Stenta
2021–22	A-League Women	3rd of 10	SF	Fiona Worts (13)

Last updated 30 April 2024

• Record Victory: 10 – 2 vs Western Sydney Wanderers, 14 January 2017
• Record Defeat: 0 – 8 vs Newcastle Jets, 29 March 2024
• Without Winning: 34 matches, 15 November 2008 – 10 December 2011
• All-time Leading Goal Scorer: Racheal Quigley, 7 goals.
• All-time Leading Appearances: Donna Cockayne, 27 Appearances.

See also

• List of top-division football clubs in AFC countries
• Women's soccer in Australia
• W-League (Australia) all-time records
• Australia women's national soccer team

References

1. "Westfield W-League officially launched". A-League. 20 October 2008. Archived from the original on 7 November 2010. Retrieved 14 January 2009.
2. "MetroStars Coaches". MetroStars. 14 January 2009. Archived from the original on 19 July 2008. Retrieved 14 January 2009.
3. "Former Matilda named as Reds' W-League Captain". Adelaide United. 10 September 2008. Archived from the original on 12 March 2011. Retrieved 14 January 2009.
4. Forsaith, Rob (25 October 2008). "Roar fires early". A-League. Archived from the original on 6 July 2007. Retrieved 14 January 2009.
5. "Scalzi fires United home". A-League. 1 November 2008. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
6. "Lady Reds to take off against Jets in Westfield W-League". Adelaide United. 30 September 2009. Archived from the original on 12 March 2011. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
7. "Di Alagich ends amazing career in football". Adelaide United. 30 September 2009. Archived from the original on 12 March 2011. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
8. Ormond, Aiden (1 November 2009). "Sydney destroys Adelaide". A-League. Archived from the original on 7 November 2010. Retrieved 1 November 2009.
9. Hughes, Mark (7 November 2009). "Goals galore for Jets, Reds". A-League. Archived from the original on 7 November 2010. Retrieved 7 November 2009.
10. Guoth, Nick (5 December 2009). "Adelaide United Women go down to Canberra United". Adelaide United. Archived from the original on 20 February 2011. Retrieved 6 December 2009.
11. "Mark Jones to lead Adelaide United in 2016/17". The Women's Game. 7 September 2016.
12. "Office for Women - Adelaide United Double Header". officeforwomen.sa.gov.au. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
13. "Adelaide-United'-W-League-side-has-taken-games-away-from-the-dog-track-to-the-eastern-suburbs". The Advertiser. Adelaide. 11 September 2017. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
14. "W-League: Reds come home". The World Game. Special Broadcasting Service. 30 October 2008. Retrieved 17 January 2009.^{[ permanent dead link ‍]}
15. "United appoint Head of Women's Football and announce new Head Coach". Adelaide United. 4 August 2020.
16. "Matilda Named Captain For Adelaide". FTBL. 10 September 2008. Adelaide United Women's Team Coach Mike Barnett
17. "FFSA name new coach of Reds' W-League team". Adelaide United . 31 August 2011.
18. "Edmondson ends tenure at Football Federation SA". Adelaide United . 13 January 2013.
19. Migliaccio, Val (22 August 2013). "Ross Aloisi appointed coach of Adelaide United's W-League team". The Advertiser .
20. "Ross Aloisi and Melissa Barbieri depart Adelaide United". The Women's Game. 28 July 2015.
21. "Adelaide United appoint Jamie Harnwell as new coach". The Women's Game. 30 July 2015.
22. "Mark Jones to lead Adelaide United in 2016/17". The Women's Game. 7 September 2016.
23. Odong, Ann (7 October 2016). "Adelaide United appoint Huss Skenderovic as head coach for Season 9". The Women's Game.
24. Migliaccio, Val (9 July 2017). "Ivan Karlovic is the Adelaide United women's team's new boss". The Advertiser .
25. "United appoint Head of Women's Football and announce new Head Coach". Adelaide United. 4 August 2020.

External links

• Official club website