As I approach the end of my first year as President of the PFA, it has been a privilege to witness firsthand the impact our Player Development Program (PDP) has on our members.

I firmly believe in the importance of footballers balancing their careers on the pitch with pursuits and interests off it. Personally, I’ve always felt that my identity and passions extend beyond football, enabling me to maintain a healthy balance off the field and be well-prepared for the inevitable transition after I hang up my boots.

This season, I was fortunate to be part of a brilliant group of players and coaches who helped secure St. Pauli's promotion back to the Bundesliga after 13 years in the second tier. Just days later, my wife and I celebrated our marriage with family, and friends.

The pace of a professional playing career means that moments like these are often fleeting, making them even more special. I’m already back to pre-season, with a massive season in the Bundesliga and the Socceroos just around the corner. The cyclical nature of football means that as soon as one challenge is conquered, another emerges.

This is why the work of the PFA, through the PDP program is so crucial. It is the one constant in your career that will be there regardless of results on the pitch and will always value you as a person first and a footballer second.

Our PDP plays an essential role in supporting our professional players throughout their careers, ensuring that every player has access to the resources and guidance they need to explore their interests and develop off the pitch.

I am proud of the difference these programs continue to make in the lives of our members.

This report not only underlines the ongoing efforts of the PFA but also highlights the incredible work of our Player Development Managers. Their dedication ensures that all players understand the benefits of the PFA and the valuable services it provides.

I hope you enjoy the report.

Jackson Irvine

PFA President

Welcome to the 2024 Player Development Report.

The past season was another record-breaking period for the PDP. Our focus in the last year has been responding to the program’s increasing demand and ensuring every player is adequately supported to make the most out of their career.

With our membership growing to over 1,000 current and former professional players, enhancing our services has been a necessary strategic focus.

We continue to experience unprecedented growth in our Mental Health Referral Network, issued a record number of education grants and had record registrations for our coaching courses.

Over 70 current and potential coaches registered across B and C Diploma courses, while we held for the first time in collaboration with Football Australia a goalkeeper B Diploma. At a time when players are transitioning into professional coaching roles in growing numbers, being able to facilitate and subsidise licences has been important to our members, but also for the Australian game.

Having players who can make that leap as a player to a professional coaching role is something that helps not only the individual, but our game as a whole.

Coaching development has been an important part of our work this year, but equally important has been our skill development workshops at every A-League club. Our Player Development Managers worked in conjunction with player delegates at each club across the A-Leagues to determine a workshop that would be beneficial to each playing group.

Workshops varied from performance nutrition, leadership and confidence, financial, brand and media. Each workshop is designed for players to build complementary skills off the pitch that enhance their football careers and support their lives off the pitch.

Demand for our mental health support network, which is provided by the Mind Room, continues to grow year on year. Responding to this we established a new partnership with UK-based Sporting Chance Clinic which will enhance the PFA’s mental health services available to players based overseas.

The new partnership will positively impact over 150 of the PFA’s overseas based members and their partners, granting them access to receive emotional or mental health support by accredited expert practitioners in European-friendly timezones.

Finally, a core part of our work within the PDP is the continued engagement and support with our retired and transitioned players.

We have enhanced our focus and support for our former players through the Past Players Program, holding events across Australia. These players now have an avenue and opportunity to reconnect via the PFA, from our Matildas alumni, the Socceroos Club to former A-Leagues or National Soccer League players.

We continue to build a world class program that we are proud to develop and deliver on behalf of our players. We hope you enjoy the report.

Thank you