Our Community
The PFA prides itself on ensuring football is used as a positive social force and PFA members are empowered to pursue opportunities off the pitch that help deliver positive outcomes in their communities. During a challenging year, members continued to give back to their communities through a range of initiatives, through the PFA.
Through the support of the PFA, both Australian national teams utilised their platforms on the eve of the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup and the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup to call for better outcomes for migrant workers and female footballers, respectively.
On This Page
Our Greener Pitch
Player Committee
A growing alliance of A-League stars, Matildas, and Socceroos are aiming to tackle the environmental challenges facing football, with players exploring carbon reduction initiatives, including the introduction of a “green round” during an A-Leagues season.
Through the PFA's Our Greener Pitch initiative, launched in 2021, the group are exploring waste reduction practices within their clubs, the potential of league-wide sustainable initiatives and using their platform as professional footballers to advocate for industrial-level change to combat climate change.
National Teams Carbon Offset
The Socceroos and Matildas players elected to offset their unavoidable carbon emissions resulting from their participation at the 2022 and 2023 World Cup Finals.
Player Impact
Footballers Trust
The Socceroos carved off a significant percentage of their prize money to the PFA Footballers' Trust, where it will be invested into community football impact programs.
Through the PFA's charity, the Footballers' Trust, PFA members also donated $85,000 to the following charities:
- Afghanistan Women's National Team
- Blind Football Australia
- Football Empowerment
- Heartbeat of Football
- John Moriarty Football
- Pride Cup
- Queensland Indigenous Football
- The Big Issue Street Soccer Program
Human Rights
The Socceroos' public stance on Human Rights in Qatar - in the form of a video viewed at least one million times - was an act of extreme courage. They had much to lose but chose to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with fellow workers.
This action was part of a years-long engagement on this issue. Players took part in workshops led by international experts such as the Building and Wood Workers Union, the International Labour Organization, Amnesty, FIFPRO, and World Players Association. Critically, the players spoke directly to workers to understand their experiences in Qatar. These conversations highlighted the impact the Socceroos' platform could have on the workers' lives, so they chose to act.
Partnerships
John Moriarty Football
JMF operates in the remote Indigenous communities of Borroloola and Robinson River in the Northern Territory. JMF brings 2-16 year old Indigenous children together through sport, promoting good health and wellbeing. We aim to make a significant difference to school attendance and healthier lifestyles, with a belief that every child deserves a safe, protected start in life.
In 2018 the PFA reaffirmed their partnership with John Moriarty Football (JMF) continuing to further enhance the foundation's work in engaging indigenous Australians through football.
FIFPro
FIFPro is the representative organisation for more than 65,000 professional footballers worldwide. Established in 1965 with the mission of supporting the players, FIFPro with its 55 members, three candidate members and seven observer unions, makes it the biggest player union in the world.
The PFA joined FIFPro in 1999, and 21 years later the PFA has become an integral part of the world players' association, with PFA co-founder and Life Member Brendan Schwab previously holding the role of FIFPro Vice President and FIFPro Asia Chairman before being appointed as the Head of UNI World Athletes. With over 180 Australian’s based abroad, FIFPro has been integral in ensuring the rights of PFA members are respected both domestically and worldwide.
Austraffic
Re-signing in July 2023, for the third consecutive year, the traffic and transport data specialists will continue to support the PFA recognise player performances domestically via the peer-voted Austraffic A-Leagues Player of the Month Award, as well as the international excellence of PFA members through the 2024 Austraffic PFA Footballer of the Year Awards.
SportsFX
The PFA announced a two year strategic partnership with SportsFX Currency Solutions, a leading provider of comprehensive currency solutions dedicated to supporting professionals in the sports industry.
The partnership aims to empower Australia's professional footballers with the expertise and resources required to navigate the intricacies of international transactions to maximise their earnings.
Beyond Bank
Enhancing the PFA's community and charity programs, Beyond Bank became the PFA's official Community Partner, supporting partner of the PFA's charity, the Footballers' Trust and the PFA Community Medal.
Oakberry
OAKBERRY, the global açaí brand with over 600 shops worldwide, partnered with Professional Footballers Australia (the PFA) to become the official naming rights partner of the 2023 Players' Awards.
Partnering with the PFA continues Oakberry's commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles and sponsorship of sports and fitness events at the local, state, and worldwide levels. Oakberry sponsors the World Surf League Australia, the Haas F1 Team, Surf Life Saving NSW, and the Noosa Triathlon.