Soccerscene and Professional Footballers Australia sign MOU

Avatar

Soccerscene is delighted to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Professional Footballers Australia (PFA).

In line with the MOU, Soccerscene will now provide exclusive content from the PFA tackling a range of local and global macro and micro industry topics.

With Soccerscene’s commitment to being Australia’s online football business platform, this access to the PFA will ensure a greater opportunity for Australia’s football leaders to truly understand and appreciate the ongoing role of the PFA in football governance and how it represents and advocates for its members.

The PFA is the longest-standing stakeholder in the Australian game and has played a pivotal role in raising the standards for professional players in Australia, as well as shaping the way that the professional game has developed in this country.

More than just advocating for its members, the PFA plays a crucial role in providing invaluable data and insights into the professional game in Australia through its industry-leading research and connections to the global football industry and player association movement.

With the signing of this MOU, Soccerscene is excited to be able to generate a range of exciting content featuring the expertise and opinions of those from the PFA to give our readers invaluable insight into the crucial role the PFA plays in the professional game in Australia and how the various issues in our sport affect those who play it.

Soccerscene Chief Operational Officer Andrea Ioannidis is delighted to see such an influential industry body partner with Soccerscene.

“We are delighted to see industry organisations such as PFA and ourselves working together with common values,” she said.

“By now having PFA and Football Coaches Australia delivering content to the Australian football public together under the one platform, our game now has a genuine hub for Australian Football industry news.”

PFA Co-Chief Executive Beau Busch added:

“Through our partnership with Soccerscene we are excited to contribute the players’ perspective to the range of engaging discussions taking place across Australian and global football,” he said.

“Our conversation series will include the direct feedback and insights from over 700 professional players based in Australia and overseas, as well as sharing our research and evidence-based positions on global and local trends with Soccerscene’s growing and engaged audience.”

About Soccerscene

Soccerscene is committed to growing, promoting and enhancing the soccer industry in Australia.

Soccerscene is the online business platform for the football industry of Australia and Asia, serving as a practical guide to all those involved in running a football club at every level.

With the largest readership of decision makers within the football industry, Soccerscene continues to make huge strides when linking buyers & sellers as well as providing insight, discussion, research and information on all topics that impact the industry – as partners with community business.

Soccerscene is the first port of call for information in this growing industry, featuring product reviews, case studies, interviews, research and comment on all the areas that touch the industry – from finance, stadia development, technologies, products, safety & security to disability & governance.

About The PFA

The PFA is the exclusive collective voice of Australia’s professional footballers.

The PFA was established in 1993 with two key objectives: to support the players and build the game.

As the exclusive representative body and collective bargaining agent of Australia’s elite professional footballers, including A-Leagues, Socceroos and Matildas players, the mission today remains the same.

The PFA is the longest established stakeholder in the professional game in Australia with the key to its longevity being the voice of the players. Since its establishment the PFA has, and always will be, run by the players for the players.

The PFA has delivered critical reforms that have enhanced the professional game in Australia and provided players with ‘world class’ collective bargaining agreements, player development and wellbeing programs and legal representation and advice.

Previous ArticleNext Article

PFA Annual Report Highlights Key Concerns for A-League Players

Avatar
Image credit: Professional Footballers Australia

The Professional Footballers Association (PFA) have released their 2024 Annual A-League Men’s report. This analysis has highlighted key successful areas of last season and importantly areas of growth in the league.

This review uses a wide range of data but importantly uses a strong player-based approach.

A key tool for data collection for this report is the A-League Men’s end-of-season survey conducted voluntarily online between May 7-31, 2024. This survey received 191 player responses, a record number with at least 13 players from each club.

The survey provides a comprehensive and representative source of player insights for policymakers, offering robust comparisons across the league.

Categorised below are some key factors of the report.

International Benchmarking

The Twenty-First Group’s World Super League model provides insights into the A-League Men’s (ALM) competitive positioning.

The analysis employed a machine learning approach, rating team strengths based on performance and player movements from ten relevant leagues over six seasons. The ALM ranks eighth among these competitions as a second-tier Asian league.

The salary cap system contributes to the consistent team strengths, with a slight overall decline in score over six years likely attributed to league expansion. Despite this, the ALM’s league ranking remained stable.

From a player development perspective, the analysis offers guidance for international transfers to leagues that offer promising development pathways for Australian players looking to progress in their international careers.

Transfer Revenue

The Australian A-League Men (ALM) has experienced a remarkable transformation in its transfer market dynamics as a significant talent production and export market over recent years.

In 2024, ALM clubs received at least $17.5 million in transfer fees, with the total value potentially exceeding $20 million, significantly up from the approx. $10 million in 2023 and the $2.5 million average in past seasons.

This growth represents a fundamental shift in the domestic men’s football economy. For the first time, transfer revenue is now surpassing broadcast revenue.

In the context of the broader market, while ALM revenues have grown quickly, they remain a fraction of those in slightly more advanced leagues.

AFC Club Competitions

Previously, AFC competitions were often more costly than beneficial.

However, in the new 3-tier continental club competitions for 2024, the AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE) qualifying for the eight-match group stage guarantees $1.23m, with an additional $150k per win. Champions can earn at least $18.5m.

The ACL2, Which CC Mariners won last season, provides $462k for group stage participation and $77k per win, with champions potentially earning up to $5m. ALM clubs receive one berth in both the top two tiers.

Under the current Collective Bargaining Agreement, players will receive an increasing share of prize money from the Round of 16 onwards.

Player Profiles

The PFA conducted a comprehensive analysis of match minutes across six leagues: A-League Men (ALM), J1 League, K League 1, MLS, Scottish Premiership, and Belgian Pro League.

The analysis revealed that Australian and Belgian leagues stood out, with over 10% of match minutes played by under 20s, compared to less than 5% in the other four competitions.

The introduction of scholarship players outside the salary cap has notably reduced the league’s average age, emphasizing its commitment to youth development.

Attendance

Average attendance for regular season matches has increased to 8,076 from 7,553 in 2022-23, but crowds have still not recovered to their pre-COVID levels.

Excluding the lowest attended teams of Western United and Macarthur FC the average attendance last season was 9,232, 14% higher than the 8,076 overall average.

Though the overall bias against crowd attendance can be assumed to be not as prevalent as people think, identifying this can help deal with the situations that hinder attendance.

Competitive balance

Competitive balance overall was strong with 7% of matches featuring a margin of four or more goals and 7% decided by three goals.

There was a tight race for the top 6 and the bottom two teams from 2022-23, Macarthur and Melbourne Victory, both made the finals, demonstrating the strong competitive balance of the ALM across seasons.

CBA Progress

Total player payments were around $57.8m in 2023-24, down slightly from the all-time high of $58.8m the previous season with the average payments per club being around $4.8m. This was well above the salary cap of $2.6m.

The vast majority of exempt payments from the cap were those to Marquee and Designated players. The average spend on Scholarship Players was just under $300k per club.

This report describes how revenues from transfer fees and a more lucrative AFC Champions League present new financial opportunities for our clubs.

Player Perceptions

According to the PFA end-of-season survey, 50% of ALM players were dissatisfied and 27% were very dissatisfied with how APL has performed in its management of the competition.

46% of players had ‘low trust’ in APL regarding developing a vision to improve the league.

The PFA was rated highest by the players, with 91% satisfied with its performance regarding ALM and 64% having high trust in the PFA to develop a vision.

In issues of the league, trajectory players outlined fan core experience as a centre stage with more than half including Broadcast (58%) and Atmosphere (51%) in their top three with Visibility and Branding/Marketing coming in second.

Workplace Safety

The PFA end-of-season survey uncovered concerning findings regarding the safety of ALM players’ workplaces.

11% of ALM players felt their club environment was either physically or psychologically unsafe and one in five players (20%) said they or a team-mate were unwilling to discuss issues with coaching staff and 16% with club management. 7% of players reported instances of players being forced to train alone at their clubs.

Though only a few clubs were reported on this, is still regarded as an industry issue.

Extreme weather

Last season one in six ALM matches was impacted by extreme weather with extreme heat the main culprit. 58% of players indicated the conditions impacted the players’ performances and 9% of player performances were hindered overall.

Club Index

Sydney FC was rated as the league’s best-performing club in the overall Club Performance Index, after placing in the top three for the sub-indices for Operations, Facilities, and Culture.

Pitch and atmosphere ratings

A-League players rated Wellington’s Sky Stadium with perfect marks for its pitch quality also and a four-star average for the match atmosphere.

Adelaide’s Coopers Stadium, AAMI Park, where also highly rated by ALM players with an average around the 4 stars mark. Victory home matches received an average of 4.4 for atmosphere.

The lowest rated were Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium and Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium, averaging just 2.1.

Though other factors are included for pitch quality like other events, Players should still not be subject to substandard and potentially dangerous conditions.

Conclusion

Though the report shows that in many aspects the sport is moving in the right direction, the responses from players on their welfare and on the need for more attendance is a worrying sign for the management.

This assessment is a strong example of the PFA’s dedication towards the sport in Australia and maintaining the strong relationship between the Football industry and the players themselves.

The key points of this report should be central to plans within A-League and Australian Football itself.

PFA celebrates milestone year at Annual General Meeting

Avatar
Image credit: PxHere website

The Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) has marked a significant year of achievement and player advocacy at its Annual General Meeting, highlighting the organisation’s continued commitment to supporting professional footballers nationally in this financial year.

The AGM showcased a remarkable year of growth and impact, with the organisation reporting a record membership of 704 players and a comprehensive range of support services that extend far beyond the football pitch.

It also announced some notable leadership development, David Williams was elected to the PFA Executive, bringing valuable experience from his A-League Men career.

David Williams has commented on his connection with the PFA and his dedication to the new role.

“For me joining the Executive means a great deal. To have the backing from my peers and friends within the PFA is special and I feel humbled to be chosen for this role,” he said via press release.

“I have depended on the PFA over my career and have benefited from it and used so many resources and received so much help over my years as a PFA member.

“To now be able to give my insights and experience over my career and contribute positively to all PFA members is a privilege and a role I will be honoured to take on. I look forward to working closely with all involved.”

Alongside David Williams, Dylan Holmes was ratified in his position, while international players Clare Hunt and Mathew Ryan were re-elected to continue their influential roles.

The meeting also celebrated five outstanding members with Life Membership, recognising Leigh Broxham, Natasha Rigby, Jason Hoffman, Emma Checker, and Mark Milligan for their exceptional contributions to the sport and the players’ union.

A key highlight was the Footballers’ Trust, the organisation’s charitable arm, which has invested over $500,000 into 24 community programs since its establishment five years ago. This initiative underscores the players’ commitment to giving back to the community.

The PFA’s comprehensive support for players was evident in its impressive statistics for the 2023/24 financial year. The organisation opened 190 legal cases, secured $500,000 in outstanding salaries, and provided 203 education grants.

Mental health support remained a critical focus, with 1,082 confidential sessions accessed by members.

PFA Chief Executive Beau Busch emphasised the significance of the players’ leadership, stating that the organisation continues to be driven by a commitment to player welfare and professional development.

Other notable achievements included delivering skin cancer checks for National Team players, hosting 18 past player events, and facilitating skill development workshops for 483 A-Leagues players. The organisation also secured a world-leading Collective Bargaining Agreement for National Team players.

The returning and newly appointed Executives, led by Jackson Irvine as President and Francis Awaritefe as Chair, reflect a strong, diverse leadership committed to advancing the interests of professional footballers in Australia.

As the PFA continues to evolve, its focus remains clear: supporting players, advocating for their rights, and contributing positively to the broader football ecosystem.

Most Popular Topics

Editor Picks

Send this to a friend