The PFA conducts regular research to support players and help them make informed decisions about their careers and also build the professional game in Australia.
This research helps players gain a greater understanding the game of football and the industry within which they are employed, which is critical to building meaningful lives and careers.
Research
A-League Women Report 2023-24
The PFA’s 2023-24 A-League Women Report is the eighth annual review of Australia and New Zealand’s premier women’s football competition.
The report outlines key challenges and opportunities for the league’s growth, offering four core recommendations based on player feedback, global football trends, and A- League Women developments.
In addition, the report contains unique insights into the league’s profile, with every match minute and player movement analysed for up to six seasons.
Stoppage Time: A PFA Report on the A-Leagues and climate change
The report explores the impact of climate on Australia and New Zealand’s professional domestic football competitions, the A-Leagues.
It explores the climate’s impact on the A-Leagues and professional players, including extreme heat, bushfires, flooding and rain. It also examines football’s impact on climate and proposes solutions clubs and the A-Leagues can adopt to mitigate their impact.
Matildas 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Report
The report provides insights from the experiences of the Matildas during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia.
The report is the most comprehensive public analysis of a Matildas’ international tournament and incorporates direct feedback from Matildas players via a PFA survey.
The report also presents four recommendations which could significantly contribute to the ongoing growth and success of women’s football.
Socceroos 2022 FIFA World Cup Report
The report provides insights from the experiences of Australia’s elite players at the pinnacle tournament of men’s football and a benchmark against which to measure the Socceroos’ future participation in international competition.
The report comprises player feedback on the Socceroos’ priorities during the next World Cup ‘cycle’, and insights into the production of the next generation of national team stars, from a player perspective. It also includes an overview of the economic impact World Cup qualification delivers for Australian football.
Retired and Transitioned Players Report
In 2020, the PFA commissioned this study with the objective to gain a clearer picture of what life is like for footballers after their playing career.
The insights and experiences captured in this report will help the PFA build support program for past players and also provide assistance to current players transitioning to life after football.
The study and data collection was overseen by FIFPRO Chief Medical Officer Vincent Gouttebarge with the report produced by the PFA.
Player Pathway Study
The 2017 PFA Player Pathway Study (PPS) represents the most detailed analysis of the careers of Australian male footballers in the history of the sport in this country. The PFA tracked every professional minute played by an Australian footballer from 2002 to 2016. It provides a rich depository of information that we can use to help shape the decision making of current and future players.
Lightning Events Report
The objective of the PFA’s Investigation and Legal Report on Players’ Health and Safety (Lightning Events) Report is three-fold: (1) To understand the current legal and policy framework on players’ health and safety for lightning events; (2) To recognise the issues and gaps in the current legal and policy framework on players’ health and safety for lightning events at the international and regional level; (3) To propose recommendations to effect positive changes to safeguard the players’ health and safety for lightning events.
Domestic League Reports
In our pursuit of building comprehensive research and policies around professional football for our members, the PFA publishes a range of research on the football industry, the professional competitions – the A-League Men and A-League Women – and player development, pathways and health. Following the conclusion of the A-League Men and A-League Women seasons, the PFA produces annual reports analysing each competition.
Policy
The health and wellbeing of professional footballers are vital concerns of the PFA. These concerns are amplified by the nature of a career as a professional footballer, which is precarious, short term and one of constant transition.
For the continued growth and success of Australian football, protecting the health and safety of the players is essential. As with all employees, players are entitled to a workplace, which is free from any unreasonable risk to their health and safety.
To ensure players are provided with this the PFA has established a number of monitoring systems and through collective bargaining with Football Australia (FA) implemented a number of policies.
These policies include Minimum Medical Standards for the A-League Men and A-League Women, Income Protection Policy, Career Ending Insurance, Member Protection Policy, FA Concussion and Heat Policy, and PFA Match Scheduling Policy.
PFA Post
In line with the PFA’s commitment to providing policy leadership to ensure Australian football is the best governed football nation in the world, is internationally competitive on and off the field and is a central part of Australian culture, ‘The PFA Post’ analyses issues impacting Australian football.
