Football Coaches Australia congratulates Ernie Merrick on his appointment as Football Australia’s Chief Football Officer

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Ernie Merrick
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Football Coaches Australia (FCA) has strongly endorsed Football Australia’s appointment of Ernie Merrick OAM as (the inaugural) Chief Football Officer.

FCA – Australia’s national Association for supporting qualified coaches at professional, semi-professional and community levels – welcomed the news, having witnessed first-hand the outstanding work the former premiership and championship-winning A-League Men’s coach has contributed as an FCA Ambassador over the past 12 months.

FCA acknowledged the privilege and an honour of having Ernie as an FCA Ambassador and wished him all the success in his new role – a critical one for taking the game in Australia to new heights, coming in at a time of unprecedented opportunity for our code.

The representative body for football coaches in Australia noted Ernie’s leadership and ability to bring people together and simplify the complex as standout traits during his time with FCA, further adding that these attributes were no doubt major contributing factors to his successful tenure as Chief Football Officer at FA.

Ernie was also a part of the FCA Technical Committee and delivered online and face-to-face professional development workshops to aspiring coaches.

FCA looks forward to working with him at Football Australia to advance Advocacy, Professional development, Equity and Well-being on behalf of coaches.

Phil Moss, Football Coaches Australia President, stated:

“This is a brilliant appointment on so many levels for Australian football and we applaud FA CEO James Johnston, his executive leadership team and the board for returning a football person of Ernie’s experience, expertise and standing in the game – and Australian sport more broadly – to a position of real influence.

“Ernie’s coaching, mentoring and leadership CV speaks for itself and the work he has done as an FCA ambassador has been outstanding. His willingness to engage with coaches and stakeholders to share his knowledge has benefitted so many with a passion for Australian football that is second to none.

“We couldn’t be happier for Ernie on his appointment to this new and exciting role. 

“We genuinely and collectively thank Ernie for his significant contribution to our organization and look forward to working closely with him to ensure coaches continue to be enabled to play a key part in taking the game forward.”

Since FCA’s inception, the organisation have always sought to elevate a ‘coaches voice’ to FIFA and Football Australia’s decision-making levels. FCA founder(s) and former board members and Ambassadors have transitioned into roles at FIFA (James Kitching and Belinda Wilson) and Football Australia (Heather Garriock, Ron Smith and now Ernie Merrick).

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Professional Footballers Australia and R U OK? enter mental health advocacy alliance

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Image Credit: The PFA

Professional Footballers Australia (the PFA) on Tuesday announced a three-year alliance with respected Australian mental health advocacy group R U OK?

The alliance seeks to strengthen support structures and education around mental health within the football community, giving players the confidence and ability to recognise when someone might be struggling, and the tools to start an R U OK? conversation.

The PFA’s most recent Player Development Program Report revealed demand for mental health services among its players continues to grow, with 992 confidential counselling services accessed by players in the past financial year – indicating both that professional football’s pressures remain, but also that player awareness on the means to seek support is trending in the right direction.

PFA Chief Executive Beau Busch welcomed the alliance.

‘Professional footballers face unique pressures throughout their careers, and it’s clear from our data that more players are reaching out for support than ever before,’ said Busch.

‘The growth in confidential counselling sessions shows both the scale of the challenge and the importance of ensuring players have access to trusted, independent support.

‘Working together with R U OK? allows us to build on that work by empowering players with the tools to look after each other, and to lead conversations that can have a genuine impact.’

R U OK? CEO Lach Searle told the PFA his organisation feels their partnership will build on values that those playing the game inherently understand. 

‘Football is built on connection, teamwork and looking out for each other. This alliance is about building on those strengths and making meaningful conversations part of the culture of the game.

‘We want players, clubs and communities to feel confident to notice when someone might be struggling, trust their gut and ask, ‘are you OK?’. Because a conversation can change a life.’

Former Australian professional footballer David Clarkson lived the ups and downs of the game through his twelve-year career in the local National Soccer League. He is one of fifteen former players who have become R U OK? Football Champions, who will work inside A-Leagues clubs towards enacting meaningful conversations on wellbeing.

‘I remember the day very well. It was while I was still playing. Being asked, ‘are you OK?’ made me feel noticed and cared for at a time when I was finding things difficult,” said Clarkson.

‘It gave me permission to be honest instead of simply saying I was fine. Having someone listen helped me feel less alone and reminded me that I didn’t have to manage everything by myself.

‘It also taught me the importance of checking in with others. Asking R U OK? may seem like a small gesture, but it can open the door to an important conversation and let someone know that their wellbeing matters.’

Other Football Champions include Lucas Pantelis, Kirsty Yallop, Rosie Sutton, Michael Thwaite, Maddy Whittall, Andrew McDermott, Doug Hodgson, Tash Rigby, Chris Harold, Julia De Angelis, Brendan Renaud, Tessel Middag and Emma Stanbury.

In addition to Football Champions, free evidence-based tools and resources from R U OK? Will be embedded into PFA programs, helping players build more connected and supported club environments across all levels of the game.

About R U OK?

R U OK? is a suicide prevention charity and registered public health promotion that aims to inspire and empower people to meaningfully connect with friends, family and colleagues who might be struggling with life. Throughout the year, R U OK? provides practical tools and resources to help Australians recognise when someone might be struggling, start a meaningful conversation and lend appropriate support.

Soceroos and Matildas sue Football Australia over financial dispute

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Image Credit: Football Australias

Players of the Socceroos and Matildas have launched legal action against Football Australia over a multi-million dollar dispute relating to their revenue-sharing agreement in the NSW Supreme Court.

According to the Australian Associated Press (AAP), the players’ union, Professional Footballers Australia (PFA), are enacting on behalf of the players and are understood to be pursuing a seven figure claim.

The PFA is expected to argue the revenue-sharing agreement between the governing body and national team players is not being fulfilled properly.

The PFA is yet to comment.

But the FA has acknowledged the legal dispute, claiming it is in relation to, “a third party in connection with a separate matter currently being conducted before the National Dispute Resolution Chamber (NDRC)”.

‘The Supreme Court’s role is limited to the subpoena process, and its involvement ends once that process is complete,’ an FA spokesperson said.

‘As the NDRC matter is ongoing and subject to confidentiality obligations, Football Australia will not comment further,’ they stated.

In 2023, a collective bargaining agreement was signed between the players’ union and FA. It gave the Socceroos and Matildas stars a portion of the national teams revenue which contributes up to half of FA’s overall earnings.

Additionally, the agreement included incentives for players and FA to work together, allowing both sides the chance to reap even larger rewards.

Registration fees or sponsors for programs that fund grassroots football are strictly prohibited in relation to the players’ cut of revenue. 

However, as long as it relates to the national team the players receive an 18-20 per cent portion of all relevant finances. This could include ticketing, kit sales, broadcast or sponsorship contracts. Through the CBA this money makes its way back to the players.

Matildas icon Lisa De Vanna, who played 150 times for the national team from 2004-19 has already made her opinion heard on there lawsuit via X.

“1 of the best-paid teams in the world, w best elite environments: 40 personal staff,business flights,5 star hotels, private chefs N baristas n still not happy,” she said.

“Instead of knocking game when it’s at its lowest, maybe play for pride n not greed.”

The disagreement comes just before the Socceroos head to the Middle East during the November international break.

With the squad set to be announced later this week, the ill-feeling between players and the governing body will hopefully remain separate from the performances on the pitch.

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