Australia to host AFC youth women’s qualifiers

Football Federation Australia (FFA) will be known as ‘Football Australia’ following unanimous Congress support in the 17th Annual General Meeting (AGM).

The backing came after a consultation process as part of the development of the XI Principles for the future of Australian football. 

The AGM was held via video conference on Wednesday afternoon (AEDT), alongside the release of FFA’s 2020 Annual Review.

FFA’s Members voted to re-elect Mr Chris Nikou to FFA’s Board of Directors, while Mr Stefan Kamasz was elected to the Board.

FFA Members also approved Football Coaches Australia’s (FCA) application to become a Provisional Member of the FFA Congress.

Following the AGM, Nikou was installed by his fellow Directors to the position of FFA Chair – a role he has fulfilled since November 2018.

“In extremely difficult circumstances, throughout 2020 as a Board, Management, and Staff, we have continued the important work of implementing the critical structural changes to our game that were agreed in 2018,” Nikou said.

“Our Board has been focused on taking the necessary steps to ensure the protection, enhancement, and continued growth of our game, whilst empowering FFA’s administration to chart a new path forward.

“Increased collaboration with the game’s stakeholders has seen the development of a range of initiatives that will underpin the game’s future development. Significantly, we are close to finalising the unbundling of the professional leagues from FFA. This development will mark a new era for the game in Australia.

“FFA’s commitment to working hand-in-hand with all of the game’s stakeholders to grow the game has never been stronger or more necessary.

“Finally, I would like to extend a warm welcome to new FFA Director Mr Stefan Kamasz, and look forward to his contributions to a Board which meets FFA’s ‘40/40/20’ gender representation principle and boasts a diversity of skills, expertise, and experience.”

FFA Chief Executive Officer, Mr James Johnson, said that FFA, through initiatives such as the XI Principles for the future of Australian football, has been able to establish a strong platform to launch the game into its future.

“Despite the challenges of the year, 2020 has witnessed many highlights for Australian football,” he said.

“Among the headline moments, we won the right to co-host the next FIFA Women’s World Cup™ in 2023, saw both Men’s and Women’s teams qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, and launched the XI Principles for the future of Australian football, a new strategic agenda and 15-year vision for the sport.

“It is clear that we have already begun to change Australian football, and we are very well placed to capitalise on the opportunities before us.

“2021 will provide the opportunity to build on the momentum we have generated this year, and shapes as a year of implementation as we focus on bringing the XI Principles to life.

“Today we took another significant step on this new journey we have embarked upon when the FFA Congress unanimously resolved to change the organisation’s name from Football Federation Australia to ‘Football Australia’.

“This new name – which we will transition to over the coming months – signifies a fresh and exciting start for the game under the new strategic agenda, and a return to the roots of football in Australia.

“I firmly believe that the opportunity for further change and positive transformation in Australian football burns brighter than ever, and with the foundations that we have set in 2020 there is much to be optimistic about.”

FFA’s 2020 Annual Review includes financial and strategic updates, as well as reviews of performances and events from Australia’s national teams and competitions throughout the year. You can find it here.