Soccerscene the only online publication dedicated to the Australian and international football industry. It serves as a practical guide for those involved in the business of running a football club and bringing readers up-to-date research and development across all football matters providing insights, discussion and information related to topics that matter.
Where does Western United sit one week away from round one?
Understandably, as a new team you need time to establish yourself in the competition before you catch up with the rest of the sides.
But for a team based in Melbourne to have such a low membership rate, it’s quite alarming.
With the accumulated total of City and Victory fans larger than that of Sydney FC and the Wanderers, you would think more fans would be getting on board.
Especially those who may not have teams in the A-League at the time of writing this.
The AFL, despite being played during the winter, offers strong competition to the Melbourne based sides. The Big Bash League is also a popular competition amongst children and family during the summertime.
The A-League has certainly made the right move in introducing new sides to the competition. There’s still a week until the season gets underway and the above membership numbers were released on the 24th of September. So the situation, hopefully, could have changed since then.
So hopefully, we can see some more members donning the green and black in their first season, especially with the massive news that Berisha has returned to the A-League.
‘Bes’ and United will be tough opposition for any side this season, given their performances in pre-season have been more than admirable.
But come round one, it’d be nice to see large flocks of fans cheering on the troops from Truganina.
Caelum Ferrarese is a Senior journalist with Soccerscene.
He reports widely on micro policy within Australasia and industry disruptions at grassroots level.
The PFA has recently released their 2024 annual Player Development Program (PDP) report highlighting their achievements in supporting players as they navigate their lives within the world of football.
In an interview with Soccerscene, Rita Mankowska, the PFA Head of Player Development, discusses the recent PDP report, coaching development, and much more.
What are the major feelings and thoughts about the recent report in the PFA?
Rita Mankowska: It’s always satisfying reflecting on what the program has achieved and how we have been able to support our members on a collective level, but also individually.
We now have over 1,000 members who can connect to the program, and everyone has different needs for our resources. So that’s a thousand different potential ways the PFA can support each individual, which keeps our team busy, but also gives us great satisfaction too.
The growth of the program is strategic as we’re always looking at new ways, we can enhance the PDP. But it is also a response to the increase in players seeking our services. So, our job is really to respond to and meet those demands, so that every player is supported. The players rated their satisfaction with the program at 97%, which is a good indication that we are meeting their needs.
How has the increase in membership impacted the PDP?
Rita Mankowska: The expansion in membership is due to two reasons: the re-inclusion of Central Coast Mariners in the A-League Women and the growth of our Past Players Program.
The program will increase again with the inclusion of Auckland FC, and we have recently appointed Kirsty Yallop as Auckland’s Player Development Manager to help support the players at the new A-League Men’s team for the forthcoming season.
An increase in membership ultimately results in a greater number of players accessing the Program’s resources, so we have had to ensure regular quality improvement initiatives to ensure the ongoing success of the program.
For the last five years we have added more support staff, we survey players frequently on the Programs they want us to invest in and means test programs to ensure that our core services are meeting the changing demands of our growing membership.
Do any of the results reflect a significant change in the footballing community and the PFA?
Rita Mankowska: A trend we are currently experiencing is the increase of Australian female footballers heading overseas for employment opportunities. All overseas players have a PFA Player Development Manager; however, this trend led us to form a partnership with Sporting Chance Clinic UK to bolster our existing Mental Health Referral Network and provide additional coverage for members based overseas. Through Sporting Chance, players based in a different time zone can access mental health support.
Tell us about the rise in mental health and well-being support in the PDP what does that tell you about your work and the current climate?
Rita Mankowska: We have experienced a significant increase in the number of confidential counselling sessions accessed by our members over the last five years. While it’s hard to pinpoint the exact reasons behind this trend, it’s likely down to several factors including the de-stigmatisation of mental health in society, general word of mouth between members and a high level of promotion of the service from PFA staff.
Despite the increase, numbers are still in keeping with national averages for those suffering from and seeking assistance for mental health support.
Coaching development and workshops have been important in this PFA. Why has the PFA focused on this and what positive results come from this work?
Rita Mankowska: Over the last two years we have worked closely with Football Australia’s coach education team to try to reduce the barriers of entry for current and past players to develop into coaches. Thankfully, our efforts have paid off as players have taken advantage of the reduced face-to-face contact hours in AFC Coaching courses, which recognise professional players’ prior knowledge of the game.
We had over 70 current and potential members registered across B and C Diploma courses and held a goalkeeper B Diploma in collaboration with Football Australia for the first time.
With players transitioning into professional coaching roles in growing numbers, we saw an important opportunity to facilitate and subsidise coaching licences.
With regards to skill development workshops, players welcomed the return of these following a hiatus during COVID, showing that face-to-face learning is still an important way to impart knowledge to our members.
How will these results in the recent PFA affect the future season and activity of the PFA?
Rita Mankowska: Moving forward, we will continue to strive to achieve our mission which is to support players with their careers, well-being and retirement via high-quality, evidence-based programs and services.
What are some of the goals the PFA are striving for now after the PDP report?
Rita Mankowska: We compile the annual PDP report for two core reasons; firstly, to ensure that we can demonstrate to the clubs and Football Australia the program’s impact, as the funding for the program comes via our collective agreements with the Leagues and governing body, and, secondly, so we can assess and refine the program. So, our immediate focus will be on assessing our programs and then enhancing them heading into a new A-Leagues season.
Rita Mankowska and the PFA’s hard work in this report identifies matters that hit home with footballers and showcases their drive to achieve more in the coming years, to the benefit of all.
Following a distinguished coaching career that included reaching the heights of the Premier League, Scott Miller is now embracing the next chapter of his professional journey.
No stranger to Australian football, Miller was Head Coach of the Newcastle Jets Men’s team and as an assistant coach for the Socceroos leading up to the 2014 World Cup. With extensive international experience from his time at Fulham FC, where he witnessed everything coaching had to offer, Miller decided in 2023 that a new direction was needed.
Now, as the Chief Commercial Officer at iReel, a Gen AI sports technology company, Miller combines his passion for coaching and sports technology to deliver valuable solutions to sporting organisations. iReel’s vision is to become the leading provider of Gen AI in sport, and Miller is at the forefront of this innovative journey.
In this interview with Soccerscene, Miller reflects on his 17 years in coaching, the lessons he’s learned from working overseas compared to Australia, how iReel presented itself as an opportunity, and why sports technology is essential in today’s sporting landscape.
You’ve had experience from the Premier League to the A-League. How has your journey been so far?
Scott Miller: My background originally stems from playing in the Victorian Premier League. I signed with former NSL team the Gippsland Falcons as a youth and came through their youth system, but I didn’t make a senior appearance due to a serious leg injury. This injury gave me clarity about the longevity of a career in sport as an athlete, which led me to pursue a degree in exercise science at ACU in Melbourne.
During that time, my interest in physical performance and its alignment with football grew. I took the initiative to make as many contacts overseas as possible, which was quite a challenge pre-LinkedIn, relying on handwritten letters. I was fortunate to have family in London, which allowed me to explore opportunities there. I landed a role at Fulham FC, starting in their academy system and eventually working with the first team. Within six months, I was offered a full-time contract with the Premier League team, marking the beginning of an exciting 10-year journey.
My time at Fulham was filled with learning opportunities, including earning my UEFA A license and a degree in sports psychology. I worked with top-level managers like Chris Coleman, Roy Hodgson, Mark Hughes, Martin Jol, René Meulensteen, and Felix Magath. These experiences helped shape my career, leading to a role as an assistant coach, where we achieved multiple top-10 finishes and reached the 2010 Europa League final against Atletico Madrid—a highlight of my time at Fulham.
Were you always looking to get into coaching, or did your injury force your hand?
Scott Miller: Coaching wasn’t my initial plan, but it became a natural evolution for me. Roy Hodgson, in particular, inspired me with his methodology and the impact he had on players. With my background in high performance, football knowledge, and a passion for psychology, I naturally transitioned into coaching. By the age of 27, I was delivering sessions to Premier League players, covering various aspects of training outside of tactics.
My journey into coaching continued when Ange Postecoglou invited me to join him as an assistant with the Socceroos, which was a fantastic experience. Later, he recommended me for the head coaching role at Newcastle Jets at just 33 years old. My time working with some of the best players and coaches in the Premier League was invaluable in shaping my approach to coaching.
What insights can you share from your experiences in the UK?
Scott Miller: Football culture in the UK is deeply ingrained—it’s more than just a sport; it’s a way of life. The Premier League is a global phenomenon, vastly larger in scale than the A-League, with financial and commercial resources that drive innovation and performance.
Another key difference is the highly competitive environment. The standards are ruthless, and if you’re not up to par, you’re quickly replaced. This applies to everyone, from coaches to players and support staff. I experienced this firsthand, often finding myself as the cultural link between outgoing and incoming managers due to my role as a central figure in the club’s operations.
The financial resources available in the Premier League also allow for greater opportunities for coaches to build sustainable careers. The remuneration packages are significantly different compared to the A-League, providing a stable foundation for those working in football.
You are now the Chief Commercial Officer at iReel. How did that transition come about?
Scott Miller: Coaching has been a significant part of my life since I was 24, but after nearly two decades, I felt the need for a new challenge. I wanted to innovate, develop new skills, and contribute to a space that is pioneering and future-focused. The opportunity to join iReel came at the perfect time.
James Doyle, the founder of iReel, reached out to me, and knowing him for some time, I was excited to join the venture. iReel is at the forefront of Gen AI in sports, and the chance to build technology that can transform the sporting industry was too good to pass up. It’s a different kind of challenge but one that’s equally rewarding.
Why would you recommend a career in sports technology for post-playing careers?
Scott Miller: Sports technology offers a unique opportunity for players looking to transition after their playing careers. The skills developed in sports, such as communication, leadership, and performance, are highly transferable to the tech space.
The sports tech industry allows you to stay involved in the sport while also building its future. Unlike coaching or analysis roles that are often dependent on performance results, a career in sports tech lets you create something from the ground up. It’s a powerful and fulfilling path that I highly recommend to anyone looking to stay connected to sports in a meaningful way.
For full information on iReel and to contact the team, you can do so here.
