Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) Chief Executive Adam Vivian has today welcomed the latest round of positive figures on the growth of Australian Football and has reaffirmed the players’ long standing commitment to ensuring the wellbeing of the game.
Vivian made the announcement following Football Federation Australia (FFA) Chief Executive David Gallop’s State of the Game address yesterday, which highlighted the growing media profile of the sport and the key role of the players in the success of the National Teams and growing profile of the A-League.
With the A-League, Socceroos and Matildas Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) all set to expire on June 30, 2014, Vivian said the address further illustrated the benefits that can be derived via the partnerships established through the agreements.
“With the games three key CBAs all set to expire at the same time this represents an opportunity to build a ‘whole of game’ partnership between FFA, the A-League clubs, the players and the PFA,” Vivian said.
“The growth of the game as outlined in David’s address highlights just how effective these agreements have been in growing the game on and off the pitch and demonstrate why they are essential in ensuring football continues on its upward trajectory.
“The PFA remains committed to working towards an agreement that not only safeguards the economic viability of clubs but also one that delivers an enhanced career path for players in terms of remuneration, opportunity, player education, development, wellbeing and retirement programs. It is only through doing so that football can ensure that it is the game of choice of all talented athletes across Australia.”
With Gallop also unveiling the National Plan for the Whole of Football, which is aimed at establishing the code as the country’s number one sport, PFA Executive Committee Member and Socceroo Matt McKay said the players shared the same ambition for the game.
“The players have long maintained that the wellbeing of the game is a precondition to the wellbeing of the players,” McKay said. “This has been the guiding the principle of all our negotiations and this has been demonstrated via the effectiveness of the current agreements in benefiting the game as a whole.
“Whilst there is much to celebrate there remains much work to be done if football is to achieve its enormous potential in this country, and the players as always remain committed to working in collaboration with all stakeholders to ensure this is the case.”
