MELBOURNE, Friday 16 March 2018

Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) is excited to partner with Football Federation Australia (FFA) in hosting a 21st Century Town Hall designed to change the game for women in professional football.

To be held on next Friday 23 March, the Town Hall style forum will see thought leaders from a range of industries convene to share ideas and strategies to build stronger careers and stronger pathways for women in football.

Driven by innovative technology, over 150 guests drawn from throughout football will join leaders from government, sports, corporate, and media sectors to collaborate on ideas and strategies that can be workshopped and synthesised in real time.

PFA Chief Executive John Didulica says the forum is a chance for women’s football to take a strategic leap forward.

“By harnessing the wisdom of the forum’s attendees, the PFA has a unique opportunity to draw on the sporting community – at all of its gloriously diverse touchpoints – to support a vision for football that can benefit all footballers for generations to come,” said Didulica.

“As the collective representative of Australia’s elite professional footballers, it is incumbent on the PFA to not only advocate for the interests of the players, but relentlessly pursue the best interests of the sport.

“The beauty of the Town Hall style forum for the participants is the proximity to a tangible outcome, with the technology designed to give each participant a complete report on the outcomes at the conclusion of the day.”

FFA Head of Women’s Football Emma Highwood says the forum is a unique opportunity to work together to strengthen Australia’s bid for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

“The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Bid represents a unique and important opportunity to shape the pathway for elite female athletes in Australia. By partnering with the community to develop our vision for women in professional football, we hope to create a World Cup legacy that will lead the way for women in professional sport,” said Highwood.

The outcomes of the forum will inform the FFA’s Whole of Game Plan for Women’s Football, the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup bid, and the PFA’s Strategic Plan.