The future of Adelaide United women’s team is in doubt with the clubs new owners set to dump the W-League team.
The Lady Red’s had a horror season failing to win a match, scoring only four goals and conceding 36.
Their last win was November 2008 and since the inception of the W-league three years ago they have only managed two wins.
Reds chairman Greg Griffin revealed in December last year the Lady Reds cost $100,000 to run in the 2010 season and they were losing patience with the team.
I'd personally like to see the maths on this calculation because none of the women playing are paid much more than their costs and its an exceptionally short season.
Adelaide’s W-League coach Mike Barnett blames the terrible results on the hit-and-miss women’s program in South Australia.
Most other W-League teams have strong links to their state talent or sport institute program, allowing them to train together all year.
Some W-League teams are managed by the club but others by their state federation.
For example Melbourne Victory carries the clubs name but is managed by the Victorian Football Federation, but Adelaide has had little interaction with the state body which generally runs the talent programs.
The Adelaide team came from the local league, trained for only two weeks in the pre-season and were expected to compete with the likes of Brisbane and Sydney which are littered with Matildas and bolstered by quality coaches and facilities.
"Until we're on an even playing field with what the other states are doing, we'll be playing for the next 100 years and not win a game," Barnett told ninemsn.com.
While Adelaide have yet to make a formal announcement those involved have said that it’s a foregone conclusion.
"There are some discussions going on at the moment whether the FFSA may take this program on," Barnett said.
"It is going to be the only solution that will change the face of how the women's game is going.
"If it doesn't happen…we won't produce any good young talented girls and nothing will change.
He indicated the Football Federation of South Australia should take over the management of the team.
Fans are furious at the decision and have been venting their anger on online forums.
They are particularly riled the way in which the new owners have treated the players who have so far found out everything via the media.
The team has been neglected by its club and left to fend for themselves in a competition where the standard has lifted and simply left them behind.
Week after week the W-League standard has been impressive and with that the players confidence and skills have improved.
In a world cup year it sets the Matildas up for a great shot at getting past the round of 16 for the first time ever.
We can only hope the SA Football Federation has the resources to assist the Lady Reds and that the fans keep the faith.
Otherwise there will be a lot of young girls in South Australia who's dreams of playing at the top level will be that much harder.
Other articles
Lady Reds among sport's biggest losers - Ninemsn.com, 2 Feb 2011
Saving the lady reds - Fiona Crawford, www.auFourfourtwo.com, 19 December 2010
No comments:
Post a Comment