By Amelia Fisher-Starzynski, Sydney, Australia, Nov 06, 2019: Football Federation Australia (FFA) and Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) have struck a new landmark Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) that closes the pay gap between Australia’s National Teams, the Caltex Socceroos and the Westfield Matildas.
The new, four-year CBA will see the Caltex Socceroos and Westfield Matildas receive a 24% share of an agreed aggregate of National Team Generated Revenues in 2019/20, rising by 1% each year of the 4-year deal.
From within this 24%, the players will commit a 5% share of National Team Generated Revenue to reinvest in Australian Youth National Teams, guaranteeing a minimum level of investment in future generations of Caltex Socceroos and Westfield Matildas.
The new agreement reflects football’s determination to address issues of gender equity in all facets of the game and build a sustainable financial model that rewards players as National Team revenues increase.
Significantly for the Westfield Matildas, a new 3-tiered centralised contract system will see Australia’s finest women’s footballers provided with increased annual remuneration with the Tier 1 players earning the same amount as the top Caltex Socceroos.
The allocation of any prospective World Cup prize money to players has increased.
Under the new CBA, players are entitled to 40% of prize money on qualifying for a FIFA World Cup, representing an increase from 30%.
That share of prize money increases to 50% if they progress to the Knockout Stage of the competition.
The player share of AFC Asian Cup prize money will also increase from 30% to 33%. Should the players progress to an AFC Asian Cup Final, the prize money share increases further to 40%
The new CBA has struck to provide both the players and FFA with certainty as it will cover the next World Cup cycle for both the Caltex Socceroos and the Westfield Matildas.
FFA’s Parental Leave Policy will be also be reviewed and upgraded to provide an even higher level of support for Matildas during pregnancy and when returning to National Team duty.
The new CBA shifts the focus towards a partnership that incentivises players, FFA and the PFA to maximise returns for all national team activities in order to generate real and sustainable revenue growth.
The world class, high-performance set-up required to run successful national team campaigns will continue to be mirrored across both senior national football programs with both teams featuring identical resourcing.
The Westfield Matildas will have access to business class international travel, the same standards afforded to the Caltex Socceroos.
The new CBA also provides an increase level of funding to the Player Development Program, which administers, to provide enhanced player wellbeing and development support to all National Team players.
Uniquely, the Players and FFA have agreed to co-invest a further 0.50% of National Team Generated Review into the PFA’s Footballers Trust which will prioritise investment in Australia’s Cerebral Palsy National Teams.
Quotes:
FFA Chairman, Chris Nikou:
“Football is the game for everyone, and this new CBA is another huge step toward ensuring that we live the values of equality, inclusivity and opportunity.”
“For the first time, player remuneration will directly tied to the revenues generated by our National Teams – this will create a sustainable financial model that incentivises players and FFA to collaborate and grow the commercial pie together.”
“This is truly a unique agreement.
Every national team, from the Socceroos and Matildas, down to the Youth National Teams as well as the Cerebral Palsy National Teams have been contemplated in this new CBA.”
“With this CBA, the next generation of aspiring Australian kids can see a pathway that offers a sustainable career, a chance to be an Olympian, and the lure of playing at a FIFA World Cup – regardless of your gender.
It means whether you are a male or female, the value football places on your jersey is no different. We are proud to break this new ground in Australian and world sport.”
FFA CEO, David Gallop AM:
“The Caltex Socceroos have made a choice to adjust a fixed level of payment to share in a combined revenue pool with the Westfield Matildas.
This closes the pay gap that has existed between them and the Westfield Matildas. It’s an important decision that deserves to be acknowledged.”
Former Matilda and FFA Head of Game Development, Sarah Walsh:
“FFA, the PFA and all the players are proud to be leading the way in delivering real gender equality within the game we love.
This agreement is the product of generations of Matildas and their supporters advocating for real change. This moment belongs to all of them as well.”
John Didulica, PFA Chief Executive:
“This is a unique deal in world football and we believe sets the model for where all federations and players – male and female – can take the game to unlock the incredible social and commercial opportunity that, in particular, women’s football presents.”
The deal is based on the principles of partnership, equality and investment. The players of today are investing in the future of Australian football because they believe in the game and they believe in each other.”
Kathryn Gill, PFA Deputy Chief Executive:
“Incredible credit goes to the legacy of great leaders across our National Teams for a number of generations. Wave after wave, they have always had one eye on ensuring those that follow them have greater opportunities.”
“In recent years, to be able to build on the leadership of Tim Cahill and Mile Jedinak and Lydia Williams and Claire Polkinghorne with captains of the calibre of Mark Milligan and Sam Kerr has demonstrated to me that the game is in great hands.”
Alex Wilkinson, PFA President:
“As the PFA President and Socceroo, I am very proud to put the Executive’s name to this deal and proud of the work that the players have done in driving this deal.”
“It was very important for football to lead in this area.
The global size of our game ensures that what the players do here in Australia, can be amplified around the world”.
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