The following extract is from the PFA’s 2023-24 A-League Women’s report, from former Canberra United defender Emma Ilijoski. Emma discusses the challenges players and stakeholders face as a result of climate change, and her advocacy through the PFA’s Greener Pitch.

By Emma Ilijoski

Playing in the A-League Women is a dream for my peers and me. However, the extreme heat in recent seasons has posed challenges for us to uphold the quality of our league. Playing a winter sport in summer impacts the brand of football in Australia but more importantly, player health and welfare.

Extreme heat has caused several drinks breaks, last-minute scheduling changes, medical attention during and after matches, and other disruptions. There are risks of skin cancer and heat stroke, on top of needing to recover from the higher physical demands.

Click here to read and download the report.

Performing at our best during the peak of summer is difficult both physically and mentally, affecting the overall quality of spectators. Increased memberships and attendances at ALW matches are promising trends, but extreme heat might cause fans to stay and home, hindering our progress. It is essential we protect fans as well.

Scheduling games later in the summer months has been beneficial. This showed that the voices of the players were taken into account. It also leads to fewer interruptions throughout the week and on game day, allowing for full concentration on the 90 minutes ahead.

Further investment is required in facilities. For example, improvements including ventilation, air-conditioning and ice baths in change rooms, as well as shelter over the team benches, and stadiums suitable for the fans to be comfortable as well, would improve the gameday experience.

As the world game, football has a role in drawing attention to the impacts of climate change. While sport contributes to climate change, we still have a role to raise awareness of our footprint and make small or large changes where possible.

READ MORE

PFA REPORT: Full-time professionalism top of the agenda for A-League Women players
STOPPAGE TIME: A PFA Report on the A-Leagues and Climate Change
CLIMATE AWARD: PFA nominated for 2024 BBC Green Sport Awards 

Unfortunately, grassroots and junior football will be the most impacted by climate change due to the limited resources in comparison to professional teams. Involving the grassroots in climate awareness would mean the future of our game is in safe hands, inspiring the next generation of talented footballers to care about the climate and its impact on football.

As Our Greener Pitch goes into its second year with brand new goals and aspirations, we are extremely proud of the Green Games and being able to raise awareness to inspire more game changers to continue to foster an inclusive and safe environment in football.