Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) is deeply honoured to be nominated for the 2019 Human Rights Awards to be announced in Sydney in December.
Nominated in the Business Category, the PFA is being recognised by the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) for its involvement in the successful campaign to secure the release of Bahraini refugee and now Australian citizen Hakeem al-Araibi as well as advocating for equal pay for female footballers.
The AHRC Awards are the pinnacle of human rights recognition in Australia, acknowledging individuals and organisations that have helped protect and promote human rights.
The PFA is proud to be recognised as one of four finalists from over 350 nominations, alongside its Life Member and former Chair, Craig Foster, who has individually been nominated for the Human Rights Medal.
“It is truly humbling to be placed alongside some of the people and institutions who are in line for awards and a testament to not only the solidarity and values of the players but, as part of the Save Hakeem campaign, the capacity of the entire football community,” Didulica said.
“In accepting the nomination, would like to acknowledge the tireless efforts of the broader football community, notably Craig Foster, Brendan Schwab from World Players United, FIFPro, FFA, Football Victoria and, of course, our dear friends at Pascoe Vale FC.”
PFA Deputy Chief Executive Kate Gill praised the work of the players in striving for gender equality.
“The PFA has been working hard to embed gender equality in everything that we do, and the players have really led that, so it’s fantastic that these efforts have also been explicitly recognised by the AHRC and something our members should be proud of,” Gill said.
The PFA, in the Business Category, has been nominated alongside STREAT (Melbourne-based social enterprise tackling youth homelessness and disadvantage), the Commonwealth Bank (who are help newly arrived refugees become financially independent and reduce their vulnerability to predatory lending practices) and the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors (who are working with ASX300 companies to improve their environmental, social and governance performance including research and raising awareness on modern slavery).
