Football Federation Australia clarifies Collective Bargaining Agreement processes

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Football Federation Australia (FFA) has issued a statement addressing the current status of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

In the statement, FFA announced it continues to work closely with the A-League and W-League Clubs (the Clubs) as the unbundling process continues towards a new model for Australia’s Professional Leagues. The new model is aligned with the in-principle agreement entered into in 2019 and was endorsed by the New Leagues Working Group, the body FFA Congress mandated to create recommendations for the optimal future of Australia’s Professional Football Leagues.

In deference to the in-principle agreement, FFA has gradually implemented practical changes to give the Clubs and its representative body, the Australian Professional Football Clubs Association (APFCA), more operational control.

For the Clubs and the APFCA, this has included assuming control over the negotiation with Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) of the CBA for the Professional Leagues. This change has seen the APFCA assume the role of ‘employer representative’ and negotiator on behalf of the Clubs directly with PFA, who represent the player group on CBA matters.  FFA has taken a more traditional ‘regulator’ role in the negotiations.

This is a process toward the unbundling of the Professional Leagues from FFA.  In time, the Clubs will have operational control of the Professional Leagues that has been sought and debated for many years. This will place Australia in a consistent position with global football frameworks where the Professional Leagues operate as a separate entity under the umbrella of the National Federation.

FFA concluded its statement by reinforcing that it is actively monitoring the negotiations between the APFCA and PFA, and remains committed to supporting both parties in their negotiations. The organisation stated that although it continues to monitor these negotiations, if the parties cannot reach agreement, FFA will enter the negotiations at the appropriate time.

FFA retains the role of negotiating the CBA directly with PFA relating to Australia’s National Teams, the Westfield Matildas and Socceroos.

For more information, visit www.ffa.com.au.

FIFA’s Talent Development Scheme on track to meet target

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Image credit: Inside FIFA website

The Talent Development Scheme has shown major progress with the addition of 14 new talent coaches. This project was confirmed at the FIFA Football Summit in December 2023 aiming to have 75 elite academies across the world by the end of 2027.

By implementing these academies, this allows young players an opportunity to realise their potential and provide a pathway to the professional level, regardless of background and socio-economic status.

The Talent Development Scheme has already been rolled out in 176 FIFA member associations and leads of the program will assess the criteria that is needed to be fulfilled to put the initial phase of the project in place.

FIFA’s Cheif of Global Football Development, Arsène Wenger, said the plan is gaining some momentum and has seen major strides in its development.

“It is moving football forward in every single country,” he said in a media release on FIFA’s website.

“Let’s not forget that the core of our thinking is to give every talent in the whole world a chance.

“I must say, when I look back to 2021, when we started to think ‘What can we do for football in the world?’ and where we are today, even I am quite surprised about how quickly it’s all gone – and, of course, it’s not enough; we always want to do more.”

The next step of the Talent Development Scheme is to assign FIFA Talent coaches to each member association, where they will work with local stakeholders to create a domestic coaching network.

FIFA’s Head of High Performance, Ulf Schott, discusses the plans of the next step in the scheme and how it should be implemented.

“We have conducted several webinars beforehand to talk about all of the organisational stuff, so that we can focus completely on what’s going on on the pitch this week,” he said in a media release on FIFA’s website.

“This is where our Talent Coaches should inspire, on the one hand the talent, and on the other hand other coaches too who are working with them, and should then [replicate] our idea, of what we want to achieve with an academy in a country.”

FIFA’s latest plan can potentially provide many benefits when it comes to football in Australia, giving younger players a chance to develop in a way that prepares them for the professional game once they reach that stage.

Although still in its early stages, the Talent Development Scheme is showing significant progress with the recent addition of coaches to help make this project come to fruition.

Ned Morris to step down as Adelaide United chair

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Image credit: PxHere website

Adelaide United have confirmed that Ned Morris will step down as chair after a mutual agreement and will continue in an advisory role with the club.

Morris spent 18 months in the role and Adelaide United has stated they will carefully evaluate the future of the chair position, making sure it aligns with their long-term goals.

Morris and the club have acknowledged that there will be significant challenges along the way, with the internal restructure now complete.

In addition, Adelaide United felt the time was right for a shift towards a local South Australian approach.

Morris reflected on his time serving as chair at Adelaide United and said he is still ready to show the club’s full support:

“I have thoroughly enjoyed the past 18 months working closely with the United family on behalf of Australia’s best A-League fans, the Reds,” he said in a media release on the club’s website.

“I am very confident that we have put in place the right vision, strategy, and key personnel to see the Club achieve ultimate success in the very near future.

“I remain committed to working with Adelaide United in an advisory role and look forward to supporting our men’s and women’s teams ahead of the 2024-25 season.”

Major shareholder and ownership representative at Adelaide United, Cor Adriannse, said about Morris’ contribution to the club:

“We have greatly enjoyed working with Ned over the last 18 months. He has been a tremendous asset to the Club, especially in navigating the difficult post-COVID phase for both the Club and the league,” he said in a media release on the club’s website.

“We deeply appreciate the improvements he has driven alongside our management team. Ned will always remain connected to the Club, and we intend to continue working together in one capacity or another.”

Throughout Morris’ tenure, he drove key developments such as the high-performance program investment strategy, establishing a global partnership with Eredivisie side PSV Eindhoven and appointing Ernest Faber as Technical Director in May this year.

He also expanded the Youth Football Scholarships, renegotiated a five-year tenancy at Coopers Stadium and successfully approved several government funding grants.

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