Kate joined the PFA in 2015 as a Player Relations Executive, and was elevated to Deputy Chief Executive in 2018. She is a former Matildas captain, who enjoyed an outstanding playing career during her 12 year stint with the national team.
A long serving member of the PFA Matildas Committee, Kate became the first female to be appointed to the PFA Executive Committee in 2014. During her time on the Executive Committee she was instrumental in securing the historic ‘whole of game’ agreement, which resulted in a significantly enhanced career path for the country’s elite female players.
What is your role at the PFA?
As Deputy CEO, I am responsible for strategic and operational support and policy development and implementation, with a specific focus on the female game and direct support for the Matildas.
I am also responsible for the oversight and management of the PFA board and committees, stakeholder engagement domestic and global, case management of individual player issues as well as human resources and negotiation of member Collective Bargaining Agreements.
What do you enjoy most about working at the PFA?
I am learning constantly as every day presents a different challenge and working in a great team with talented individuals.
What is it that motivates you to work in football?
It is what I am most passionate about and I am fortunate that passion has become my purpose and my career, I couldn’t imagine not working in football.
Why is it important to recognise the impact of women within football?
It’s important to recognise everyone in football, football has such diversity, and everybody has a place in football.
Women and the women’s game have historically experienced significant underinvestment and institutionalised neglect for so long, and while there has been an awakening of sorts, much still needs to be done and women are central to this.
What have you been most proud about within your career with the PFA?
Working in an organisation that is values-driven and having those values align both personally and professionally.
Who has been your biggest inspiration?
I think that anyone who follows their passion is an inspiration. It can take time to figure out where your passions and purpose lie, but once they intersect, that’s when individuals shine
In 2019, the campaign for International Women’s Day is #BalanceForBetter – a call to action for driving gender balance across the world. How have you helped to drive gender balance within your role and within the PFA?
This is a continuation of my role, not just me, but the PFA strives to enhance the lives and protect the careers of all our members, every member matters.
Football has a lot of work to do in improving an existing and embedded gender divide, with constitutional changes made and quotas established from a governance perspective. The PFA has identified that adhering to this will require talent to be developed and identified and have embarked upon actively pursuing funding to up skilling females to fulfil leadership positions.
What change do you want to make to ensure lasting change within society and within football?
For females to be able to have a visible, respected and equitable career path within football.
