The PFA will host the inaugural PFA Safe Football Conference at La Trobe University next week. 

The conference will bring together global experts who will provide insights into a range of safety matters within the realm of football and professional sport. The aim of the conference is to enhance the industry’s ability to proactively address risks to the health and safety of players. 

It will be held at La Trobe University in Bundoora, Melbourne, and follows the release of the PFA’s Safe Football Project in August. The Project was launched to further safeguard the rights and wellbeing of professional players in Australian football.  

Click here to read the Report.

Topics covered at the Conference include athlete abuse, addiction, supporting LGBTI+ athletes, concussion, eating disorders, and ACL injuries in women’s football. 

The PFA have gathered a range of expert speakers to speak on the topics, including: 

  • Kat Craig: an award-winning human rights lawyer with over 15 years’ experience supporting individuals and communities in asserting and promoting their rights. Kat is the founder of Athlead, a not-for-profit consultancy specialising in sport and human rights, with a particular expertise in athlete activism. She also serves as CEO.
  • Darren Burgess: currently the High-Performance Manager at the Adelaide Football Club. He is also the Chair of the FIFPRO HPAN, having acted as a Senior Advisor on Player Workload, Health & Performance over recent seasons. Darren’s prior experience includes senior performance roles at Arsenal, Liverpool, Western United and the Socceroos. 
  • Dr Alex Culvin: a former professional footballer who played for the likes of AZ Alkmaar, Liverpool and Leeds United. Alex is currently the FIFPRO Director of Policy and Strategic Relations Women’s Football. 
  • Dr Chris Mordue: a counsellor and psychotherapist specialising in addiction, relationships and mood disorders. Chris has extensive experience in supporting athletes both in Australia and the United Kingdom. 
  • Alicia Edge: Co-Founder & Co-CEO of Compeat Performance and Advanced Sports Dietitian, Alicia is the Performance Nutrition Lead for Football Australia and has worked closely with the Matildas as their dietician, including at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
  • Hayley Conway: the CEO of Pride Cup, Hayley brings over 15 years of experience working for LGBTQI equality in Australia and overseas. She has also held roles across the for-purpose and private sectors specialising in communications and campaigns.