Significant trio joins Football Australia Legacy ’23 Ambassadors line up

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Football Australia has announced the addition of Elizabeth (Liz) Broderick AO, Special Rapporteur and Independent Expert to the United Nations, Paralympic champion Kurt Fearnley AO, and Tourism Australia Managing Director Phillipa Harrison to the Legacy ’23 Ambassador Program.

The brand-new additions are set to bring their unique expertise to the program, particularly in the areas of international advocacy and diplomacy, tourism, plus diversity and inclusion. The trio will speak to the wide range of ambitions highlighted in Football Australia’s bold and innovative Legacy ’23 plan in the lead up to and beyond the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023.

In her former role as Australia’s longest-standing Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Liz Broderick AO has played an integral role in helping to break down structural and social barriers faced by women and men and has cemented herself as a globally recognised leader and advocate for diversity and inclusion.

Through her influential work with the United Nations and the Champions of Change Coalition, focusing on the rights of women and girls, Liz will use her Legacy ’23 ambassador role to help drive conversations around how gender equality in sport can influence other industries and progress international diplomacy.

Of her role, Liz said via a Football Australia statement:

“I hope that through Legacy ’23 we will see the sport become a catalyst to help our nation achieve gender equality for the next generations of women and girls here in Australia and across the world. What we know from all the research is that greater levels of gender diversity, build performance and capability, and that’s the great opportunity that exists off the back of 2023.”

Having grown up in the regional New South Wales town of Carcour, three-time gold medal-winning Paralympian, Kurt Fearnley AO, knows first-hand the importance of having advocates to support an individual’s progress and access to equal opportunities.

Of his role, Kurt said via Football Australia:

“Being a Legacy ’23 Ambassador is about making sure I can continue to play a role in ensuring that people with disabilities are visible and accepted within the community. The acceptance of the community was integral to my journey to becoming a professional athlete, and without it, I may never have been able to realise my potential. So, I hope that through Legacy ’23 we can further level the playing field and create pathways for athletes of all ages, all cultures and abilities.”

For Phillipa Harrison, hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 represents an incredible moment for the Australian travel and tourism industry to showcase the world-class experiences the country has on offer and reinvigorate the local economy after a challenging two years. Phillipa is also excited to be able to leverage her role as a Legacy ‘23 Ambassador to celebrate the rich diversity of our First Nations people across all corners of Australia.

Beyond her passion to show the best of Australia to the world, Legacy ’23 also represents something quite personal for Phillipa, saying via Football Australia:

“As a mother of two young daughters, it’s really important that they see the possibilities of what they could be, and I would love to think that by having this global event in our own backyard, a whole generation of Australian girls can set their sights a little bit higher on what they can achieve now and into the future.”

Football Australia CEO James Johnson added via Football Australia about the new appointments:

“Our Legacy ’23 Ambassador program set out to represent the rich diversity of our community and with the addition of Liz, Kurt and Phillipa we are one step closer to achieving that. We believe in the ability of this program to influence change at a policy level, but most importantly at a societal level, and all of our ambassadors will be integral in supporting us with our ambitions to drive meaningful and lasting change in our game.”

Previously announced ambassadors making up the Final XI include:

  • The Hon. Julie Bishop, Chancellor of Australian National University
  • Julie Dolan AM, Matildas cap #1
  • Azmeena Hussain OAM, Director Football Victoria and social justice advocate
  • Narelda Jacobs, NIAG Member and Network 10 Presenter
  • Kate Jenkins, Australia’s Sex Discrimination Commissioner
  • Awer Mabil, Socceroo
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PFA and Fans Association Unite to Bring Fans Closer to Players

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Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) and the Football Supporters Association Australia (FSAA) have confirmed a new partnership aimed at establishing an official link between professional players and their fans.

The agreement sets out for the two organisations to work together on initiatives that:

  • Foster stronger, more genuine connections between players and supporters

  • Enhance the involvement of players and fans in football decision-making

  • Produce data-driven insights to support the long-term growth of the game

Founded in 2023, the FSAA is a volunteer organisation created to provide a unified, independent voice for Australian football supporters, prioritising a supporter-first approach.

The FSAA represents the interests of fans across all levels of the game and has recently submitted supporter-focused recommendations to Football Australia (FA) and the Australian Professional Leagues (APL).

PFA Chief Executive, Beau Busch highlighted the significance of the new strong foundation already established with the FSAA and the potential for future collaboration.

“Since the establishment of FSAA, we have been able to build an effective working relationship, and this agreement represents another step forward in our shared pursuit of building the game,” he said via PFA press release.

“Globally, we have seen firsthand the benefits of strong collaboration between fan groups and player unions.

“Together we believe we are better equipped to shape the future of Australian football and ensure that the voices of fans and players are heard and respected.”

FSAA Chair, Patrick Clancy described the accord with the PFA as a natural connection between the organisations representing Australian football’s two key groups, players and supporters.

“Australia’s professional players have an inextricable connection with supporters. Many have grown up on the terraces and in the stands and then progress to taking on the game as a career,” he said via FSAA official media release.

“For supporters, there is that strong emotional connection with the players of the club they support week in, week out.

“FSAA wants to continue to foster and grow this important relationship, leverage off our mutual understandings and improve the game in Australia for players and supporters alike.”

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on 20 October 2025 by PFA CEO Beau Busch and FSAA Chair Patrick Clancy, formalising the partnership.

This represents the FSAA’s first MoU with another organisation, with the expectation of establishing additional partnerships in the near future.

Insights into the PFA’s Strategic Framework 2025-28

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Following the Annual General Meeting (AGM) held yesterday by Professional Footballers Australia (PFA), a new three-year Strategic Framework has been agreed. The framework will seek to outline the key steps which must be taken to develop and sustain the men’s and women’s professional game in Australia.

Opportunities

The Strategic Framework underlines four opportunities which must be taken advantage of by the PFA if they are to secure the future of football in Australia.


Leadership

The need for leadership during the current crisis period is essential. The PFA has expressed its desire to re-position itself as the protagonist on which the responsibility to save the game lies. To do this, integrity and reliable leadership, from both staff and players, will be vital.

Financial Independence

This refers to the financial support and power both of the organisation and its players. To this end, developing commercial revenue and tapping into the PFA reserves are features which can be harnessed going forward.

Whole of Game Capacity

The widespread dissatisfaction with the current state of the game in Australia presents the PFA with a chance to prove itself as the only stakeholder with the ability to overcome present issues. Furthermore, the collaboration with FIFPRO (International Federation of Professional Footballers) will help them deliver on their ambitions.

Expanding the women’s game

Despite the popularity of the Matildas, the women’s game has a long way to go in its development. Encouraging commercial interest in the A-League Women, as well as promoting the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ due to be held in Australia next March, are both addressed in the framework as ways to achieve this development.

Challenges

Despite an optimistic outlook for the next three years, the Strategic Framework has also addressed several challenges which must be considered by the PFA in their future plans.

Health of the Professional Game

Firstly, the framework acknowledges that the professional game is currently in crisis. Low fan engagement, poor broadcasting agreements and disconnected stakeholders all represent recent failings, as well as being significant reasons for the limited revenue generated.

Influence and Power

An issue in both the men’s and women’s game is that players will choose to play in foreign leagues, meaning the nation regularly loses top footballing talents. Furthermore, a lack of control over commercial rights and a collective mainstream media to give players a voice representing additional failings regarding player power.

Player Support

Supporting future talent remains a key factor to address if the game is to be developed in the next three years. As the membership becomes increasingly younger, so too does the need to maintain world class program standards in a volatile industry.


Gender equality

Although the 2023 Women’s World Cup made viewership numbers skyrocket, the chance to capitalise on the Matilda’s growing popularity was never taken, leading to a recent stagnation. Looking to March 2026, the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ provides another chance to build up support and desire for investment in women’s football across Australia.

What will Ensure Success?

Alongside the core values of respect, intelligence, world class standards, courage and trust, there are four fundamental pillars which give the Strategic Framework solid foundations to ensure its success throughout the next three years.

Lead

The PFA will look to take a leading role to ensure the industry’s recovery. This will include providing a new vision for professional leagues, tackling the main issues which affect players, and championing the potential of the women’s game.

Equal Say

This part of the framework hopes to put players and staff within the PFA at the centre of decision and policy making. Players will be given influence and leverage over issues such as expansion, ownership, scheduling and fan engagement, as well as being provided with world class employment standards.

Support

If the professional game is to be sustained beyond the current Strategic Framework, then the support for current and future players is vital. Player ownership can be elevated through programs like the Player Development Program and the celebration of successes or experiences within the membership base.

Strength

Whether financial, ethical or organisational, the strength of the framework will also be fundamental moving forward. The PFA will look to assume a leading role within the professional football community in Australia, and ultimately establish improved fan engagement by attracting and retaining world class players and staff.

Looking to the Future

Chief Executive of the PFA, Beau Busch, highlighted the importance of the framework in a statement made as part of the publication.

“This Strategic Framework embodies the players’ ambition to secure the future of the professional game in Australia,” he said via report release.

He then outlined that, alongside the support and leadership provided by the players to achieve the ambitions of the PFA, there will also be the need to recognise and reinforce the shared values upholding the organisation.

“This Strategic Framework provides us with clarity and purpose. Our values of respect, courage, intelligence, world class and trust will guide how we embark on our mission.”

The PFA, with the backing of its membership base and staff, will hope that the Strategic Framework is the springboard which will propel the professional game across Australia into a new era.

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