PFA Announces Executive and Management Changes

MELBOURNE: Tuesday 17 April 2018

Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) is proud to announce key changes to its Executive and leadership team, with Elise Kellond-Knight joining the PFA Executive and the 2010 Asian Player of the Year Kate Gill being appointed Deputy Chief Executive.

PFA Chief Executive John Didulica said the elevation of Gill, who was instrumental in the first ever W-League Collective Bargaining Agreement, further empowers her to speak domestically and internationally to those unique issues impacting upon women in football.

“As football evolves we need to have an executive team and a leadership team that reflects the future of the game and voices that can speak authentically on behalf of every single PFA member,” said Didulica.

“Kate’s extensive international playing career, her academic qualifications as well as her long-term commitment to the players puts her in a perfect position to understand and advocate for not only our emerging professional cohort of women players, but all footballers at every level of the game.”

Matildas star Kellond-Knight has been elevated to the PFA Executive, joining Matildas goalkeeper Lydia Williams, Perth Glory’s Kim Carroll and gives the PFA over 200 matches of collective international experience in women’s football.

In addition to her Matildas team-mates, Kellond-Knight joins current players Alex Wilkinson (President), Socceroos captain Mile Jedinak, Newcastle captain Nigel Boogaard, Nikolai Topor-Stanley and Glen Moss on the Executive Committee.

Kellond-Knight said she was honoured to join the PFA Executive.

“I feel the experience I have gained from playing for many years at international level as well as within various domestic leagues throughout the World, can be very valuable and it’s an opportunity to give back to the game that has provided me with so many experiences, said Kellond-Knight”

PFA President Alex Wilkinson said the increased Matildas presence on the Executive was a testament to the contribution they make to Australian football.

“I would firstly like to thank outgoing Executive member Gabe Marzano for her great contribution in driving the W-League CBA.”

“To now see KK and of course a former Matildas captain in Kate stepping up is another sign of how committed the PFA is to build a genuinely progressive and inclusive organisation through its leading players”.

FACT FILE

 Kate Gill

  • 2010 Asian Football of the Year & Asian Cup Winner
  • 86 International Caps for Australia
  • 41 goals (2nd highest of all time)
  • Foundation Westfield W-League player with the Newcastle Jets
  • Bachelor of Business (Swinburne University of Technology); Bachelor of Psychology (Edith Cowan University)

Elise Kellond-Knight

  • 93 International Caps for Australia
  • Westfield W-League Champion 2009 & 2011 (Brisbane Roar)
  • FIFA World Cup All Star Team 2011 & 2015
  • Asian Cup Winner 2010

ENDS

Media Enquiries: Erin Clout 0422-042-533; media@pfa.net.au