For the first time in two years, Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) will host its annual PFA Agents Conference at its headquarters in Melbourne.

Australian player agents and leading experts from the football industry will convene on 30 September for the 2022 Conference, which provides the opportunity for accredited player agents to discuss areas of shared importance and the management of talent within football.

Confirmed speakers include the Managing Director of the Australian Professional Leagues Danny Townsend, human rights lawyer and CEO of sport and social impact organisation Athlead Kat Craig, FIFPRO Legal Director Roy Vermeer, PFA Co-Chief Executives Beau Busch and Kathryn Gill and PFA staff.

The Conference is an annual initiative between the PFA and the Australian Football Agents Association (AFAA), with the 2022 Conference covering topics impacting both agents and the management of professional players, including:

  • Agent regulations and reforms;
  • The International Transfer Market;
  • Training compensation;
  • Player welfare and development;
  • Domestic legal update;
  • Athlete abuse and safeguarding;
  • An overview of the Australian Professional Leagues’ vision and strategy; and 
  • A summary of the 2021-2026 A-Leagues collective bargaining agreement

PFA Co-Chief Executive Kathryn Gill said: 

“The conference is a wonderful opportunity for agents, players and professional clubs to collaborate on issues impacting the global football industry and to have everyone in the same room after two years will provide a productive platform. 

“For the football industry to thrive, regular and transparent dialogue on the major issues and regulations within the sport are required, particularly if we are to drive further professionalism within the sport and safeguard players’ welfare and rights.”

Vice President of the AFAA Boris Ivanov said:

“We are very excited that we will once again be able to meet with colleagues, members of the PFA, the APL and other professionals in the football industry in person to discuss, learn and debate some of the key issues impacting the game and in particular players and their representatives.

“I encourage every football intermediary to make the time to attend the conference, ideally in person, but if that’s not possible then online. The learnings from these conferences are invaluable and in future will potentially form part of the continuous education and development programs that will be required to maintain accreditation.”

The 2021 edition was postponed last year due to COVID-19 restrictions, before being held online, while this the Conference in September will be held in person at the PFA offices in West Melbourne.

Accredited agents can sign up to attend the conference here.