Young Socceroos skipper and Newcastle Jets defender Ben Kantarovski, retiring Perth Glory great Jamie Harnwell and former Socceroo Ross Aloisi have all been awarded scholarships by Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) in recognition of their success and determination in preparing for a career outside of professional football.
The annual PFA Scholarships, awarded at this evening’s PFA Alex Tobin OAM Medal gala dinner, are an important part of the PFA’s comprehensive player services and educational programs that assist players in navigating the pressures of professional football and in preparing for life after football.
Kantarovski and Harnwell were both awarded PFA Kimon Taliadoros Scholarships, which assist players pursuing advanced education.
Kantarovski is currently studying a Bachelor of Psychology degree at University of Newcastle. In the last year, he completed 4 units of study whilst maintaining his starting position in the Jets line up. He is currently injured and taking advantage of his recovery time by enrolling in 4 units study for semester 1, 2011.
Kantarovski also represented Australia captaining the Young Socceroos.
Harnwell has completed a Bachelor of Science (Human Movement) and a Bachelor of Business. He has his own business – Jamie Harnwell’s Soccer Coaching – and is currently working for Football West as a Development Officer integrating with his playing career in the Hyundai A-League. He is a career Perth Glory player, with 256 games and 2 championships.
Ross Aloisi received the PFA Craig Foster Football Media Scholarship, in recognition of his work as a football analyst for Fox Sports and a regular columnist for Soccer International. Aloisi played in the old NSL and was a part of Adelaide City’s championship in 1992. A Socceroo who spent 6 years in Europe, he was a key player in the establishment of both Adelaide United and Wellington Phoenix in the A-League.
In addition, retiring Melbourne heart and Socceroos striker John Aloisi received PFA life membership for his service and dedication to the players’ body.
John, Ross’s brother, was recognised by the PFA for his long standing contribution to the PFA as a member of the PFA Executive, involvement in Socceroos CBA negotiations and work in the PFA’s community programs.
The PFA Scholarships
The PFA Kimon Taliadoros and Craig Foster Scholarships recognise two great servants of the PFA and Australian football.
Kimon Taliadoros cofounded the PFA and acted as the PFA’s inaugural CEO whilst still a player before becoming PFA President. He led the PFA during the difficult times of the Stewart and Senate inquiries into corruption in the game. His transfer from South Melbourne to Marconi started a chain of events that resulted in a famous legal victory and free agency for Australian footballers. A Socceroo and 2 time NSL champion, he also excelled academically, obtaining accountancy qualifications whilst a young professional and an MBA later in his career.
Craig Foster was a long serving PFA Executive member and interim CEO from the late 1990’s to 2005, during which he advocated strongly for the reform of Australian football. After a successful playing career including 29 Socceroos caps, he is now a successful media analyst with SBS and the Sydney Morning Herald.
