In recent years, we have spoken of the resilience of our members, acknowledging the unprecedented sacrifices that were required to ensure the professional game could emerge from the impact of COVID-19.

Much of this period was about supporting each other. The past 12 months have seen the players ensure the PFA meets the second component of its mission – building the game.

Over the course of the past 12 months, our National Teams have gone further than any team before them at their respective FIFA World Cups whilst in the process uniting the nation like never before.

Attendance records have tumbled, with the Matildas playing a starring role in ensuring Australia and New Zealand hosted the best FIFA Women’s World Cup ever.

In the domestic leagues, the Collective Bargaining Agreement continues to play a crucial role in rebuilding the industry with player payments at record levels and the A-League Women’s competition continues its march towards the players’ ambition of full-time professionalism.

Off the pitch, PFA members have been at the forefront of efforts to ensure that Australian football is a genuine force for good. The players have advocated for the rights of migrant workers in Qatar, called for equal prize money at the Women’s World Cup, invested in social impact programs through the Footballers' Trust, whilst also calling for football to increase its efforts to tackle climate change and play a role in meaningful reconciliation with our First Nations people.

Inspired by the people we have the privilege to represent, the PFA has provided vital legal support for players, recouping $2.36m in outstanding wages for players, invested over $300,000 in education funding for players whilst providing over 600 confidential counselling sessions through the PFA Mental Health Referral Network.

As always, there remains much to be done. With this in mind, the priorities for the PFA over the next 12 months include:

• Policy leadership to ensure that the industry makes evidence based decisions;
• Ensuring that professional football is the safest workplace in Australian sport;
• Uniform compliance with all Collective Bargaining Agreements;
• Embedding a human rights framework within the PFA – and lead this initiative across our sport – to ensure we have the capacity to safeguard the fundamental rights of our members at an increasingly complex and dynamic time;
• Building a commercial engine for the PFA to allow for greater investment into the careers of members; and
• Contributing to the further development of FIFPRO Asia/Oceania to enhance the career opportunities for players across the region.

Finally, we would like to acknowledge the tremendous contribution of our Executive Members who are stepping down, PFA President Alex Wilkinson and Nikolai Topo-Stanley. Alex and Nikolai's contributions have been recognised as PFA Life Membership alongside Ellie Brush, Liam Reddy, Renaye Iserif and Clare Coehlo.

On behalf of all our members, it is an honour to acknowledge their service to the players and the game.

We thank you once again for your ongoing commitment to the game and each other.