Professional Footballers Australia (the PFA) confirms that Chief Executive John Didulica will step down from his role at the conclusion of his current contract on 1 July.
PFA President Alex Wilkinson paid tribute to Didulica’s devotion to Australia’s footballers and his role in shaping the football industry for professional players during his tenure.
“JD came into the role of Chief Executive four years ago when the PFA was going through a difficult time. He galvanized the players and staff and pushed the organisation to new heights. During his time with the PFA, JD proved he is not only a great football administrator, but more importantly he is a great person who always put the players before anything else.
“Although he will be missed, we wish him well in whatever the next chapter brings. On behalf of the Executive we want to thank him for his immense contribution not only to the PFA but to football in Australia.”
PFA Executive Member Lydia Williams said that Didulica’s dedication to embedding gender equality in the organisation’s ethos and outcomes had delivered incredible results for professional players.
“The work that JD has achieved and his vision for equality within the game in Australia between men and women has not only been realised through the National Teams Collective Bargaining Agreement last year, but also through the announcement of the 2023 Women’s World Cup. The players appreciate wholeheartedly his work within the PFA and he will be dearly missed.”
Commenting on his departure, Didulica said:
“It is an incredible honour to work in football and to serve footballers as Chief Executive of the PFA, but everybody who works in the sport knows how all-consuming it is. After so many consecutive years involved, I really want to step back and spend more time with my wonderful wife and daughters.
“I am so proud of the work the PFA has done in recent years and, more recently, the institutional strength we demonstrated to preserve our entire staff to service players during the unprecedented professional and wellbeing challenges presented by COVID-19.
“We have built a great team and I have no doubt they will continue to steward the business to ensure we continue supporting the players and building the game.”
