Alanna Kennedy Joins PFA Executive Committee

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Image credit: IOIO IMAGES / Shutterstock.com

Professional Footballers Australia (the PFA) has confirmed Matildas and London City Lionesses defender Alanna Kennedy has been appointed to the PFA Executive Committee.

Kennedy steps into a casual vacancy on the Executive, building on her significant contribution during the National Teams Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations in 2023. The 30-year-old has previously represented the Matildas as a delegate and served on the PFA’s CBA Committee.

She will work alongside fellow Matildas Clare Hunt, Tameka Yallop and Dylan Holmes on the player committee.

“I’m thrilled to be joining the PFA Executive and I’m looking forward to having an impact and work closely with my peers during an important time for the sport,” she said via press release.

“We’re now only months away from next year’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup on home soil, where there’s a great opportunity to grow and professionalise the women’s game in Australia.”

Kennedy has established an impressive playing career over a decade, becoming a key figure in the Matildas’ defence. She has earned 141 caps for Australia and has competed in three FIFA Women’s World Cups and three Olympic Games.

At club level, she has also achieved notable success, securing A-League Women honours with Sydney FC, Perth Glory and Melbourne City. Internationally, she won the 2016 NWSL title with Western New York Flash and the 2021–22 FA Women’s Cup with Manchester City.

PFA Chief Executive Beau Busch said the organisation is delighted to welcome Kennedy to the Executive as the game enters a pivotal phase.

“We’re excited to welcome Alanna to the Executive ahead of a critical period for the professional game,” he said via press release.

“Alanna has worked with us to secure several landmark achievements for her and her peers, and we can’t wait for her to bring her wealth of expertise to the table in an expanded role as we continue the push to professionalise the women’s game in Australia.”

In her new role, Kennedy will work alongside Co-Presidents Tameka Yallop and Jackson Irvine, as well as fellow Executive Members Mat Ryan, Andrew Redmayne, David Williams, Jack Hingert, Dylan Holmes, Clare Hunt, Chair Francis Awaritefe, Deputy Chair Elise Kellond-Knight and Chief Executive Beau Busch.

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Inside GIS’ New Executive Edge Program Driving Sport’s Future Leaders

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Image Credit: Global Institute of Sport

A new executive education program designed to shape the next generation of sports industry leaders is set to launch in June 2026, offering participants a rare blend of academic insight and real-world application at the highest level of global sport.

The Executive Edge in Sport, delivered by Global Institute of Sport (GIS) in partnership with Rotman School of Management Executive Programs, will provide current and aspiring leaders with the tools needed to navigate an increasingly complex and fast-evolving sports landscape.

The seven-week program, Sports Leadership Essentials, is delivered primarily online, offering a flexible and immersive learning experience for professionals worldwide. It is tailored for individuals seeking to strengthen their leadership capabilities within sport, as well as those aiming to transition into senior roles. This includes athletes navigating their post-playing careers.

Led by Sharona Friedman, President and CEO of GIS, and Walid Hejazi, Professor of Economic Analysis and Policy at Rotman, the course combines academic rigour with industry relevance. Participants will engage with key topics shaping modern sport, including leadership and strategy, governance and ethics, finance and revenue models, marketing and fan engagement, event operations, and the growing influence of AI and emerging technologies.

The program also features exclusive masterclasses with senior figures from across the global sports industry, alongside sessions led by leading academics and practitioners from the Rotman School.

For those seeking a more hands-on experience, participants can opt into the Sports Leadership Lab. This is a four-day, in-person summit held at BMO Field in Toronto. Delivered in collaboration with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, the lab provides behind-the-scenes access to elite sport operations, bridging theory with practice in a live stadium environment.

As the global sports industry continues to expand and evolve, The Executive Edge in Sport positions itself as a critical pathway for leaders looking to stay ahead. It provides students with the knowledge, network, and perspective required to lead with impact.

Victory unites with Roasting Warehouse in culture-led partnership

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Image credit: Melbourne Victory

The Melbourne-based anf family-owned business will join the Victory family, uniting two institutions which represent the city’s culture and identity.

A partnership with local roots

As the newest partner of Melbourne Victory, Roasting Warehouse joins forces with a vital part of the city’s sporting landscape.

The club’s Managing Director, Caroline Carnegie, outlined why the partnership bears so much value to both parties.

“We are excited to collaborate with Roasting Warehouse, a community-oriented destination for high-quality coffee, proud of its foundations in Melbourne,” said Carnegie via official media release.

“Football and coffee sit at the epicentre of Melbourne’s culture. The two go hand-in-hand, consistently at the centre of the conversation that stirs Melburnians, which is no different to the conversation sport and Melbourne Victory stir in the State.”

Indeed, this is a partnership which combines the identity, passions and culture of an entire city, therefore giving it the foundations required for long-term, mutual success.

Representing the best of Melbourne

Both Victory and Roasting Warehouse are hugely successful in their respective industries. They are institutions with community-oriented philosphies, who pride themselves on craft and quality.

“We’re incredibly proud to partner with Melbourne Victory, a club that represents the heart, passion, and ambition of Melbourne,” revealed Roasting Warehouse Head of Brand, Alexander Paraskevopoulos.

“As a Melbourne-founded, family-run business, supporting a team that means so much to the local community feels very natural for us.”

Furthermore, through their high-quality blends, Roasting Warehouse will look to prepare Victory’s players and staff for high performances on the pitch as the seasons nears completion.

But this is about far more than just fueling athletes.

This is a partnership which embodies and unites two of Melbourne’s greatest strengths and cultural markers – a connection forged from the city’s very own DNA.

 

For more information about Roasting Warehouse, click here.

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