Professional Footballers Australia (the PFA) has announced a third consecutive year of record membership at its 2019 Annual General Meeting on Wednesday.

Highlights of the AGM included:

  • Matildas midfielderTameka Yallop appointed to the PFA Executive, with the Executive now featuring nine current players including four current or former Matildas;
  • Former Socceroos Carl Valeri, Mile Jedinak, Alex Brosque and Rodrigo Vargas and former Matilda Melissa Hudson (nee Barbieri) and Kim Carroll were revealed as Life Members;
  • Executive Committee Members Nigel Boogaard and Nikolai Topor-Stanley’s terms have been renewed for a further three years; and
  • Over 300 PFA members from across the A-League, W-League and national teams were represented via teleconference.

PFA Chief Executive John Didulica provided a progress report to the PFA membership, detailing the organisation’s key achievements in the past 12 months, including;

  • Record membership of almost 700 players across Socceroos, Matildas, A-League, W-League, Y-League, NPL and overseas based players – representing a 17 per cent increase on the previous year;
  • Ensuring the coverage of every Australian footballer by a Collective Bargaining Agreement, with the extension of the A-League and W-League CBA;
  • Laying the strategic and organisational groundwork for the National Teams CBA which was ultimately signed a fortnight ago;
  • Over $2.5m recovered for members from local and international litigation and settlements​;
  • 80% of all members having direct and individual support from the PFA through either player development or player representation services;
  • Providing 267 Education Grants to the value of almost half a million dollars​;
  • Raising over $200,000 from the Socceroos for the creation of Footballers’ Trust, the player’s first ever charitable arm which has included a significant grant to the Pararoos​;
  • Record participation in the 2019 Player Development Camp, with over 160 attendees hosted in Melbourne​ across three days;
  • Conclusion of a first-ever study into the development of Australian talent over generations, culminating in the historic “Culture Amplifies Talent” report​;
  • Leading and funding the global campaign for refugee footballer Hakeem al-Araibi for which the PFA has since been nominated by the Human Rights Commission for its 2019 Business Award​; and
  • Third consecutive year of operational surpluses ensuring the ongoing financial stability of the PFA.

Click here to download the PFA 2019 Annual Report

PFA Chief Executive John Didulica said:

“Football has been characterised by its volatility in recent years so it’s very pleasing that the PFA has been able to grow in strength during this period. It’s a testament to the hard work of our staff and the shared commitment of our members to supporting each other and building the game.

“The increased awareness of player mental health issues – for current and former players – remains a focus for the PFA. Proudly, we’ve been able to work with the clubs to make a record investment in this area over the past year, but it is an acute area in which requires amplification year on year.”

Commenting on her appointment, Matildas midfielder Yallop said:

“I’m very excited about joining the PFA Executive. I’ve always wanted to be involved in the off-field side of the game and be able to have as much positive influence as possible. 

“The PFA does a lot of work behind the scenes that most people don’t know about so I’m excited to give back to the game and the future of Aussie football.”

Yallop joins Alex Wilkinson, Lydia Williams, Mile Jedinak, Nigel Boogaard, Elise Kellond-Knight, Nikolai Topor-Stanley, Kim Carroll, Glen Moss and Francis Awaritefe on the current Executive.