Football Australia bolsters leadership with key new appointments

Football Australia has confirmed the appointments of Briana Harvey as General Manager of the Women’s National Teams and David Mason for the role of General Manager of the Men’s National Teams.

These strategic appointments are part of Football Australia’s ongoing efforts to strengthen and enhance the leadership and management of its national teams, ensuring both the women’s and men’s programs benefit from experienced and dedicated leadership.

Harvey has an extensive background in sports management, having held key roles at prominent organizations such as Hockey Victoria, the Australian Football League, Hawthorn Football Club, and, most recently, at the GWS GIANTS Football Club. Her diverse experience across these major sporting bodies highlights her expertise and leadership capabilities in the field.

Mason’s deep involvement with Australian football stretches back to 1998. Throughout his career, he has held numerous management positions in media and communications, football operations, and club administration at Northern Spirit, Parramatta Power, Sydney FC, and Football Australia.

His extensive experience across these diverse roles has equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of the sport’s landscape, making him a valuable asset in his new role.

For the last seven years, Mason has served as CEO of Manly Warringah Football Association and Manly United FC, one of Australia’s largest football associations. Returning to Football Australia, Mason brings with him a vast reservoir of knowledge in local, regional, and global football.

His experience is complemented by a deep familiarity with Australia’s National Football Teams, positioning him to make significant contributions in his new role.

Beginning on August 12, both Harvey and Mason will take charge of the strategic, operational, and administrative aspects of Football Australia’s Men’s and Women’s National Teams. Their responsibilities will include planning and managing budgets, as well as coordinating overall annual match schedules.

In their roles, they will ensure that all logistical and operational needs are met, driving the success and efficiency of the national teams’ programs.

Their leadership will be pivotal in shaping the future of Australian football on both the national and international stages.

Head of National Teams Gary Moretti expressed his excitement of the designation via press release.

“We are delighted to have secured the services of both Briana and David who as individuals and collectively bring a wealth of industry knowledge to Football Australia,” he said.

“Briana has a strong corporate pedigree with extensive experience within elite level sport. Her background and passion for women’s sport will be an invaluable asset to our National Teams both now and in the future.

“David is a football person and has contributed to the sport at all levels for almost three decades. In addition to his strong football acumen, David brings significant business and operational experience from his highly successful tenure as a CEO within the football industry.

“Along with Andrew McKenzie (General Manager – High Performance), the appointments of Briana and David will strengthen the management and future prospects of our National Teams as we look to create an elite performance and operational environment featuring a world’s best-practice focus.”

CEO of Football Australia James Johnson added how their experience and wealth of knowledge will ensure operation excellence via press release.

“The appointments of Briana and David are strategic moves that align with our vision to enhance the performance and success of our National Teams. Their combined experience and leadership will play a crucial role in ensuring operational excellence, so we remain competitive on the global stage and continue to inspire the next generation of football talent in Australia.”

Football Australia – National Teams Senior Management

Head of National Teams: Gary Moretti
General Manager – Women’s National Teams: Briana Harvey (commencing 12 August)
General Manager – Men’s National Teams: David Mason (commencing 12 August)
General Manager – High Performance: Andrew McKenzie (commenced 10 July)
General Manager – Football Analysis, Data and Insights (to be appointed)

The creation of four new leadership positions within the National Teams underscores Football Australia’s commitment and investment in its Senior and Youth National Teams, as outlined in the XI Principles for the future of Australian Football. Every position plays a critical role in advancing, overseeing, and ensuring the sustained success of all High Performance and National Team programs and initiatives.

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Western United ruled out of 2026–27 A-League season

Western United’s participation in the A-Leagues has officially been terminated, ending the club’s immediate pathway back into Australia’s professional football competitions.

The Australian Professional Leagues (APL) terminated Western United’s Club Participation Agreement on Monday, following months of discussions over the club’s future.

The decision comes after Western United’s attempt to secure a return to the A-League for the 2026–27 season was unsuccessful. Football Australia had previously determined that the club did not meet the requirements to retain its licence.

Western United has now turned its attention towards rebuilding the organisation under new ownership, with the club targeting a return to the A-League for the 2027–28 season.

In a statement, Western United said the termination creates an opportunity for “new custodians, new investment and a fresh start”, while emphasising the importance of maintaining the club’s identity in Melbourne’s west.

The club’s financial problems have been a major issue over the past two years with the club being placed into a conditional hibernation ahead of the 2025/26 A-League season.

The APL said its decision was made following the club’s breach of several obligations under the agreement, including compliance with Football Australia’s National Club Licensing Regulations.

The club’s proposed 2027–28 comeback will therefore depend on securing new investment, addressing its outstanding operational requirements and demonstrating that it can meet the conditions necessary to re-enter the A-Leagues.

While Monday’s decision brings an end to Western United’s current participation agreement, the club maintains that it is not the end for Western United.

Now, the club that won the A-League grand final just four years ago, will now turn its attention to restructuring the business and building a sustainable platform for a potential return to Australia’s professional football landscape.

 

 

Football Queensland Welcomes Musco Lighting as Official Lighting Partner

Football Queensland has welcomed Musco Lighting as its Official Lighting Partner, bringing world-class sports lighting expertise to football clubs and facilities across the state.

The partnership will support Football Queensland clubs as participation continues to grow across the state, helping communities access safer, higher-quality and more accessible football facilities.

Musco Lighting is a global leader in sports lighting, with more than 50 years of experience delivering lighting solutions across sporting venues worldwide. The company was also the first in the world to be certified by FIFA as a Preferred Provider for Floodlight Systems and provided lighting for 12 of the 16 stadiums used at the recent FIFA World Cup.

Through the new partnership, Football Queensland clubs will have access to Musco’s specialist expertise and solutions as they look to improve and develop their lighting infrastructure.

Football Queensland CEO Robert Cavallucci said the partnership represented an important step in supporting the continued growth of football across Queensland.

“I’m proud to see this partnership between Football Queensland and Musco come to life.

“With participation continuing to grow across Queensland, the need for quality football infrastructure has never been greater. This partnership will help our clubs access world-class lighting expertise to create safer, better and more accessible facilities for their communities.

The partnership provides an opportunity to combine Football Queensland’s extensive network across the state’s football community with Musco’s global expertise in sports lighting, supporting clubs as they continue to invest in facilities that meet the needs of their growing participation bases.

Football Queensland and Musco will work together to help clubs identify lighting solutions that can enhance facility quality and accessibility, supporting more opportunities for players and communities to participate in football.

Football Queensland Official Lighting Partner – Musco Lighting

With more than five decades of experience in sports lighting, Musco has delivered projects across some of the world’s most significant sporting venues and events.

The company’s FIFA Preferred Provider certification and involvement in the recent FIFA World Cup further demonstrates its expertise in delivering lighting systems to the highest international standards.

The partnership with Football Queensland will bring this expertise closer to Queensland’s football community, providing clubs with access to a specialist lighting partner as the game continues to grow across the state.

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