The Professional Footballers Association (PFA) and La Trobe University have confirmed a partnership that will see the University open up an amazing opportunity for students to take part in a course regarding the development of women’s football domestically.
It will be awarded to an exceptional applicant with an interest in the development and success of female footballers in Australia.
Applicants should have a passion for skill development, women’s sports, and a desire to understand the factors contributing to success in sports. The research will add value to the player members of Professional Footballers Australia.
PFA released a statement on social media about this offer:
“The unique PhD opportunity will focus on advancing the development and professionalisation of women’s football in Australia and will be based near the Home of the Matildas.”
Here are the details of the course: La Trobe Industry Research Scholarship (LTIRS): The Development and Professionalisation of Women’s Football in Australia.
Scholarship Amount: $34,000 per annum, for three and a half years. Additional fee relief included.
Opening Date: 25/09/2024
Closing Date: 21/10/2024
Who is Eligible: Future PhD candidates, Australian citizens, International students, Permanent residents and New Zealand citizens.
Location: Melbourne Campus
Payment Method: Fortnightly stipend
To be eligible for this scholarship, applicants must:
- Meet the entrance requirements for the proposed PhD course.
- Not be receiving another scholarship worth more than 75% of the stipend rate for the same purpose.
- Have an academic background relevant to the project, such as sport science or performance psychology.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Have experience working in professional or organised sports.
- Are familiar with relevant research methods, including qualitative approaches such as interviews, focus groups, and concept mapping.
- Will be enrolled full-time and conducting research at a La Trobe University campus.
- Have completed a Masters by Research or have a significant body of research, such as an honours research thesis or lead authorship of a peer-reviewed publication, assessed at a La Trobe Masters by research standard of 75 or above.
Important Notes:
- The supervisors for this project are A/Prof Clare MacMahon (LTU), Dr. Luke Wilkins (LTU), and Brett Taylor (PFA).
- Applicants must submit a 1-page cover letter outlining their interest and suitability for the project, along with a brief CV.
- A Working With Children Check is required before commencing the position (the applicant is responsible for the cost).
Selection Process:
- Applications will be reviewed carefully by the University.
- Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview with representatives from La Trobe University and Professional Footballers Australia.
- Final decisions will be based on the application and interview.
- Successful candidates will be notified in December 2024 with an offer for both candidature and scholarship.
Conclusion:
The PFA Matildas report released after the 2023 Women’s World Cup suggested that the PFA were going to aggressively push for professionalisation in the Ninja A-League following damning numbers showing most of the league is required to work a second job whilst also committing themselves to almost 30 weeks a year of training and matches.
Every single Matildas player in that World Cup squad started their career at the A-League and the lack of funding and help has led the league to be so far behind its international counterparts, with almost all top Australian talents choosing to move abroad.
This PhD course is a big first step in understanding what steps are required to take the domestic women’s first division to a suitable standard and will do so by involving more young, intelligent minds outside of the PFA to gain an outside perspective.
