Football trailblazer Ebru Köksal appointed to Board of Australian Professional Leagues

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Ebru Koksal

Australian Professional Leagues (APL) and Football Australia (FA) have announced the appointment of global football identity, Ebru Köksal, CFA, to the APL’s Board of Directors as FA’s nominated board appointment.

Köksal is an experienced football and finance executive, an advocate for women’s football and gender equality, who is currently an Independent Non-Executive Director on the board of the UK’s Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), and also holds positions on the boards of Women in Football UK (Chair) and Doublepass BV (Non-Executive). She is a senior advisor at the investment management firm J. Stern & Co, where she advises on the football finance transactions and manages relations with wealth management clients.

Ebru previously served as a member of the Equality & Diversity Advisory Board of the Scottish Football Association, CEO & Board Member of Galatasaray AŞ, and consultant for UEFA and FIFA. While working with FIFA, she led their Women’s Football Administration Course in 2015 as well as the Female Leaders in Football Workshop in 2016 on behalf of Football Australia.

She was the first woman to be elected to the Executive Board of the European Club Association in 2011. Prior to working in the football industry, Ebru had a decade-long investment banking career with Morgan Stanley, Citibank and AIG Capital partners.

Commenting on the appointment, APL Chair, Paul Lederer said in a statement:

“Ebru Köksal is a trailblazer in the football world and is one of the most experienced experts in the industry today. It is an honour to welcome her to the APL Board, and we are excited to leverage her global experience in finance and football to propel the professional game forward in Australia.”

Ebru Köksal said via press release:

“I am delighted to join APL at such an exciting time for the professional game in Australia. I very much look forward to contributing to the significant innovation and evolution that APL is overseeing. The timing could not be better with the FIFA 2023 Women’s World Cup just a year away. There is an extraordinary opportunity for the entire women’s football pyramid to deliver a legacy for the whole game, and women and girls in particular.”

Chris Nikou, Chair of Football Australia, was excited to welcome Ebru as the Football Australia nominated Board member:

“Ebru Koksal is an outstanding, globally recognised and experienced football executive who brings a wealth of knowledge across many facets of the professional game. We are delighted to have secured Ebru to join the APL Board as the Football Australia nominated non-executive director and we look forward to continuing the strong collaboration with the APL to continue to grow the professional game in Australia.”

Ebru Köksal, who is a graduate of Advanced Management Program from Harvard Business School and holds a BA in Economics and International Relations from Brown University, will commence her role with immediate effect following the unanimous support for her appointment by the APL Board.

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Minns Labor Government announces commitment to women’s football legacy.

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Credit: Northern NSW Football

The Minns Labor Government has announced an investment of $400,000 towards women’s football as a bonus of NSW hosting 11 games at the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup.

The NSW Football Legacy Program includes five key initiatives designed to grow and support women’s football at every level, ensuring a lasting impact from NSW hosting matches during the tournament — including the Final at Stadium Australia on 21 March.

Here’s what the program offers:

  • Women in Leadership Program: Designed to boost confidence and leadership skills among women in football, helping them step into or grow in leadership roles while building a strong network of advocates for the game.
  • Body Image and Wellbeing Program: Aimed at female players aged 13 to 18 in the National Premier League, this initiative focuses on promoting healthy body image and overall wellbeing.
  • Flexible Football Initiative: Introduces more accessible and adaptable ways for women to get involved in grassroots football, removing traditional barriers to participation.
  • Coach and Referee Mentor Program: Helps develop a strong network of female coaches and referees by pairing them with experienced mentors, creating role models and encouraging more women to take on these important roles.
  • First Nations Football: Supports young First Nations footballers (aged 14–16) and coaches by providing opportunities to train and grow in high-performance environments.

Minister for Sport Steve Kamper stated that the Minns Labor Government aims to build on the success of recent women’s football events to create a lasting, inclusive legacy for women and girls in NSW through the NSW Football Legacy Program.

“Women’s sport has seen tremendous growth and success in recent years, including the unforgettable performances of the Matildas at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023,” Kamper said in a press release.

“The Minns Labor Government wants to ensure that the momentum from that tournament and NSW’s hosting of 11 games at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ leaves a lasting legacy for women’s football in NSW at all levels.

“The initiatives delivered through the NSW Football Legacy Program will ensure football is a safe, inclusive and supportive environment for women and girls to play the World Game.”

Football NSW CEO John Tsatsimas welcomed the NSW Government’s support, saying it will help make football more accessible, safe, and inclusive for women and girls as Football NSW works toward gender parity.

“Football NSW has experienced unprecedented growth in female football and we are delighted with the NSW Government’s continued commitment to our game,” Tsatsimas said in a press release

“The initiatives being supported, including the Empower Her body image and wellbeing program, will help to ensure that football is an accessible, safe and enjoyable sport for women and girls across the state.

“We look forward to seeing the impact of these new and expanded programs over the coming years as Football NSW continues towards the goal of gender parity in our game.”

The $400,000 investment and the initiatives within the NSW Football Legacy Program mark a significant step forward in strengthening women’s football across the state.

Elevating Aintree Football and grassroots sports

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Image credit: Football Victoria

Football Victoria has acknowledged Melton City Council for the official opening of the $15.3 million Aintree North Recreation Reserve — a pivotal investment in community sport and active recreation that will serve the area’s growing demand for football and broader sporting participation.

In April, City of Melton Mayor Cr Steve Abboushi and State Member for Kororoit Luba Grigorovitch MP officially unveiled the reserve, which is positioned to play a central role as a district-level facility in Melbourne’s west and will accommodate a range of local sports groups, including football clubs.

City of Melton Mayor Cr Steve Abboushi described the reserve as a transformative development for the local community.

“Spaces like these make it easier for people of all ages and abilities to take part in regular exercise, social connection and outdoor activity,” he said via press release.

“I’d like to thank the Victorian Government and Woodlea for their contributions to this fantastic project.”

The state-of-the-art reserve features premium soccer pitches, an inclusive play area, a youth-focused skate park, a jogging track with a fitness trail, an off-leash dog park, public restrooms, a network of shared pathways, and a contemporary community sports pavilion.

The project was supported by a $11.9 million investment from Melton City Council, alongside a $2 million contribution from the Victorian Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund and an additional $1.46 million from developer Woodlea.

Josephine La Pila, Football Victoria’s Club Development Program Manager, expressed support for the reserve’s opening and commended the commitment to enhancing community football facilities.

“This precinct is a fantastic example of local government, developers and state partners working together to support grassroots football,” she said via press release.

“The facilities at Aintree will open new doors for clubs, players and families – especially in such a fast-growing area. We’re excited to see the positive impact it will have on participation, development and community connection.”

Football Victoria is excited to maintain its partnership with the City of Melton and local clubs, working together to establish the new reserve as a flourishing centre for football and community sports.

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