During the last PFA Executive Meeting on 23 May, Socceroo ZeljkoKalac was presented with his PFA Life Membership award by PFA Executive member and former Sydney United team-mate, Ante Milicic. Zeljko was originally awarded with the PFA Life Membership at the PFA Annual General Meeting on 29 November 2006.
The PFA Life Membership recognises outstanding individuals who have given unquestionable service, commitment and loyalty to the PFA and the well being of professional footballers.
Zeljko has been an outstanding contributor to player affairs since the formation of the PFA in 1993. Zeljko has been at the forefront of many of the significant Collective Bargaining Agreements reached by the PFA on behalf of the players. His outstanding contribution has included:
- acting as an effective and valuable delegate with Sydney United during the 1990’s particularly through a period where there was significant resistance to a collective voice for the players; and
- being a leader of the player collective within the Socceroos camps, which has enabled the PFA to successfully negotiate Collective Bargaining Agreements on behalf of the players with the succession of governing bodies.
Zeljko’s remains a popular and successful footballer, having been a great example of achievement at the highest level. This has culminated in his selection for the Socceroos at the 2006 FIFA World Cup and being the current first choice goalkeeper for one of the world’s greatest clubs, AC Milan
