New A-League Coach: Adelaide United

ADELAIDE UNITED FC ANNOUNCES COACH FOR NEW W-LEAGUE

ADELAIDE UNITED FC ANNOUNCES COACH FOR NEW W-LEAGUE

Adelaide United FC has named Michael Barnett as the club’s Women’s Team Coach for Football Federation Australia’s (FFA) new national women’s league, the Westfield W-League.

Barnett is the current coach of local South Australian Super League club MetroStars and has over a decade of coaching experience, which includes two years in charge of the men’s SA State Team.

Adelaide United Director of Football Michael Petrillo said Barnett’s depth of experience and enthusiasm for the role is perfect for the start up of the new competition.

“Mike and Adelaide United have the same philosophy in its commitment to assisting women’s football in this country, being successful at a national level and contributing to the overall growth and profile of the women’s game in Australia,” Petrillo said.

The appointment will be the first time Barnett has coached a women’s team, and he sees the position as an exciting step in his coaching journey.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to further my career as a coach, and also help develop the women’s game to a national level,” Barnett said.

“I can see that the women’s game, with the progress it has made in the past 12 months with the Matilda’s performance at the World Cup, is really ready to explode in this country.”

Barnett will spend the next month identifying talent and compiling a squad, before resuming training ahead of the start of the Westfield W-League Season, which kicks off on October 25.

“There is now a pathway for local players to showcase their talents on a national level so I expect the game to really grow,” Barnett said.

“The next couple of years are going to be really big for the sport, it gives everybody at every club an opportunity to show their wares and I am sure we will unearth some good players around the clubs.”

The new women’s league was formed after a landmark agreement between the FFA and Westfield, and will comprise of a ten round competition (plus finals) with teams from each of the seven Australian Hyundai A-League clubs as well as Canberra.

“I’m really happy to be on board as a coach at the club. I’m sure the women’s Adelaide United team will get the support from the men’s side and it will be another South Australian side that everyone can get behind,” Barnett said.