Adelaide United have made their first moves since taking control of the W-League team with the signing of Mark Jones as its head coach for Season 9.

Jones takes the reigns from Jamie Harnwell, who led the Reds to their best ever season as they finished fifth in 2015/16.  Adelaide have also been quick to announce their first player signings with South Australians Emily Condon and Alex Chidiac Jones' first two official signings.

18 year old Condon, the club's youngest ever goal scorer, comes off another strong season in the W-League and will enter her third year as one of the key components of the squad.  Meanwhile Chidiac returns to Adelaide after spending a season with 2015/16 W-League premiers and champions Melbourne City.

For Jones, the W-League is an opportunity to get back into women's football after a period away from the game.

“This is a good opportunity to be back involved in the women’s game and I’m looking forward to improving the standard of our football,” he said.

“I have experience in coaching women’s football and I’m keen to be involved with our Women’s team and developing the squad.

Jones has extensive experience with the women’s game and was Head Coach of Women’s Football at the Australian Women’s Soccer Intensive Training Centre in New South Wales between 1995 and 2000. In 2002, Jones was also the Assistant Head Coach for the National Women’s Youth team that competed in the World Youth Cup in Canada.

Through the amalgamation of the NSW Intensive Training Centre with the NSW Institute of Sport, Jones became Head Coach for Women’s Football between 2000 and 2004 before becoming Head Coach for Men and Women’s football for the institute’s Northern division between 2005 and 2006.

“For the upcoming season, making the top four has to be our aim, but, ultimately, the goal is to develop our players and set the benchmark high."

“We’re looking closely at filling our four visa spots with top quality players, but we’re also looking locally and interstate for women that can really do great things for us and strengthen our team."

Adelaide United have also confirmed the re-signing of SA Power Networks as their major sponsor with the utility company continuing a three year relationship with the Reds W-League team.

“We are pleased to continue our support of Adelaide United Women’s team and the development of women’s football in the State,” said Chief Executive Officer of SA Power Networks, Rob Stobbe.

“As the popularity of women’s sport in both viewership and participation continues to rise, we look forward to seeing how the team develops and succeeds in the months and years ahead."

Adelaide United kick-off their W-League campaign against Melbourne Victory on Sunday, 6 November at Coopers Stadium.  The match will be the first broadcast game on Fox Sports and ABC TV.