Football NSW strengthens board with two new appointments

Football NSW has confirmed the appointment of two new Directors to its Board, welcoming Strebre Delovski and Dr. Neil Gibson to the organisation.

Strebre Delovski, widely regarded as one of Australia’s most accomplished referees, brings a wealth of experience to his new role.

Having officiated at international, national, and state levels, Delovski’s contributions to football extend beyond refereeing. He has previously served as National Director of Referees at Football Australia and was Chief Executive Officer of Wollongong Wolves Football Club until April this year. Currently, Delovski holds the position of Deputy Executive Director at the Master Builders Association of NSW, and his leadership experience in both football and business is expected to be a significant asset to Football NSW.

Dr. Neil Gibson also joins the Board with extensive leadership and academic experience across the professional sports, higher education, and government sectors.

Known for his ability to develop successful business strategies and lead teams to achieve shared goals, Gibson is currently Project Director for the redevelopment of an Olympic Legacy site for Blacktown City Council.

His previous roles include Head of Performance for Scottish Premiership side Heart of Midlothian FC, as well as consultancy work with the Scottish Football Association, the English FA, and other sporting organisations.

Football NSW Chair, Gilbert Lorquet, discussed the importance of these two appointments for the future of NSW Football.

“To have the high calibre of both Strebre Delovski and Dr. Neil Gibson added to our current Football NSW Board only further strengthens our position in various areas to help continue developing our sport across the state,” Lorquet said in a statement.

“Both bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to our organisation that can only bode well in assisting with the well-being and growth of Football NSW.”

These appointments are expected to strengthen the leadership team at Football NSW as the organisation continues to grow and develop the sport across the state.

According to their 2023-2026 Strategic Plan, the main targets by NSW Football would certainly be participation rates in grassroots football and improving academies to produce top level talent for the national teams (Aim to average 45% selection for national teams of all ages). These appointments will attempt to turn these into reality.

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AFC aligns with AIAC for improved football dispute resolution

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), highlighting their dedication to fortifying football law and to providing multiple sports dispute resolution pathways in Asia.

The MoU, signed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Monday, is a three-year agreement which aims to cultivate greater collaboration between the AFC and AIAC.

The agreement is the latest in a long running partnership for the AFC and AIAC. Since 2015, the organisations have cooperated to host seminars, conferences and training programs, focused on educating the public and officials about sports law and dispute resolution.

AFC General Counsel and Director of Legal Affairs, Andrew Mercer, expressed his excitement for the agreement via press release.

“We are delighted to formalise this important collaboration with the AIAC, who share common interests and values to promote academic and practical training in sports specific alternative dispute resolution in Asia,” he said.

AIAC Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Almalena Sharmila Johan, conveyed a similar sentiment.

“As we embark on this partnership, we celebrate the convergence of our expertise, values and dedication to raising the standards of ADR within the sporting community. The ASIAN Sports Arbitration Rules exemplified our commitment to advancing the spirit of justice in the sports industry as a whole, by providing a comprehensive framework for expedient dispute resolution that best preserves fairness and integrity within sports,” she said via press release.

This latest agreement will facilitate the AFC’s and AIAC’s desire to operate a yearly workshop or conference concentrating on sports law.

Both organisations wish to voice a plurality of opinions across Asia to explore conversations about recent sports law trends and developments across the continent and the world.

Additionally, this space would also provide an opportunity to discuss and review best law practices and alternative dispute resolution methods to find new solutions and remedies that will strengthen the future of Asian sports law.

FIFPRO Europe and UEFA sign MoU to enhance players’ influence

UEFA and FIFPRO Europe have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at strengthening players’ influence in European football governance.

As part of the agreement signed by both organisations’ leaders in Paris, a FIFPRO Europe representative will join UEFA’s executive committee starting May 2025.

UEFA has also pledged to consult FIFPRO Europe on decisions affecting players’ employment conditions and any competition reforms that could influence players’ workload.

Additionally, active players and player representatives will take part in a new UEFA Professional Players’ Advisory Forum, set to begin meeting next month to discuss solutions for collective challenges facing professional footballers in Europe.

This three-year MOU will grant footballers and their unions more influence over decisions impacting their work, including match calendar adjustments, playing conditions, and health and safety issues.

The agreement also establishes a framework for FIFPRO Europe and UEFA to work together on initiatives to advance women’s football, focusing on fair employment conditions and minimum standards.

The two organisations will also collaborate on medical research, player education, and awareness campaigns addressing doping and discrimination.

Additional collaboration areas include strengthening stakeholder dialogue at both national and European levels, exploring joint commercial opportunities involving player data and intellectual property rights, and offering support to players who are out of contract.

FIFPRO President, David Terrier, was full of positive thoughts regarding this agreement.

“This agreement is a hugely positive milestone for professional players across Europe. With player representation now anchored at UEFA’s highest level, we are securing a stronger voice for players where it matters most,” he said via press release.

“Our ongoing dialogue with UEFA is already yielding positive results, and this MoU will only strengthen our ability to shape a framework that will advance player welfare and ensure a healthier and more sustainable future for football, where the needs and rights of players shall always be at the forefront, both on and off the pitch.”

UEFA President, Aleksander Ceferin, is confident their relationship with FIFPRO will support the growth of football for all.

“This partnership represents a new era in our relationship with FIFPRO Europe. Players are at the heart of football, and their perspectives must shape the decisions taken,” he said via press release.

“By inviting them to join the UEFA Executive Committee, we are creating a more inclusive future for the game, one in which the topic of player welfare will be at the forefront. This is about making tangible strides to ensure football continues to grow for everyone.”

You can view the MOU here.

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