PFA Launches Player Management Agency

MELBOURNE: Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) recently announced the establishment of the PFA Player Management Agency in response to an overwhelming demand by Australia’s elite professional footballers.

The move follows extensive research by the PFA into the quality of player agency services available to Australian players and what they want from a management agency.  That research reveals that:

• 98% of A-League players believe the PFA should establish a player management agency;
• 100% of scholars in the Australian Institute of Sport believe likewise;
• 29% of A-League players are very likely to join the PFA’s service, with another 55% indicating they are likely to do so;
• 88% of AIS scholars are very interested or interested in joining the PFA’s service;
• interest in the agency is high among all A-League players based on their age, income and club; and
• of those very interested in joining the PFA’s service, 37% are presently with another agent.

PFA Chief Executive Brendan Schwab said the PFA is determined to not only provide independent advice and representation to players of the highest order, but to maximise the international competitiveness of Australian football.

“In establishing the PFA Player Management Agency, the PFA is, as always, motivated by the needs of the game as well as the players,” Schwab said.  “Each year, the game invests millions of dollars in player development.  Australia – whose elite playing population is small when compared with football’s most powerful nations – needs to invest in the career of every player to maximise his chances of reaching his full potential.”

“The first overseas move a young Australian player makes is nearly always career defining.  The PFA’s research shows that, for 80% of players, their first overseas move is to the best ranked club of their career.  Further, only one in 6 players join a top tier club, with only half of these lasting more than a season. Whilst many agents encourage players to leave Australian shores as soon as possible and work their way up from there, we will be encouraging our clients to adopt a much more strategic approach.”

PFA Executive Member Kevin Muscat commended the players’ involvement in the launch of the new service.

“The PFA has launched this service on the back of overwhelming feedback from A-League players,” Muscat said. “This is a logical extension of the service that the PFA already provides its members as it utilises its renowned expertise on the career path of Australian footballers to maximise their chances of playing at the highest level of the game, both at home and abroad.”

A significant increase in disputes between players and their agents over the past few years contributed to the PFA's decision to offer an alternative agency service for elite Australian players.

“Unfortunately, disputes between players and agents in Australia are far too prevalent,” Schwab said.  In the last three years, the PFA has represented players in 53 disputes with agents.  Of even greater concern is the large number of overseas based players in dispute with clubs that refuse to honour basic contractual commitments and, in so doing, place the careers of some promising players in jeopardy. The wisdom of some of these moves must be questioned.”

The PFA also confirmed the appointment of former Socceroo and 1999 Johnny Warren Medallist Brad Maloney to drive the development of the agency.

“Brad, as a former international player, experienced businessman, A-licensed coach and PFA Life Member, is uniquely qualified for this most important job,” Schwab said today.  “More than anything else, the players want to be represented by someone they can trust and who has a deep understanding of the game.  His work will be supported by the PFA’s extensive resources, expertise and global network.”

Maloney, who served on the PFA Executive from 1998 to 2005, today said the PFA’s carefully planned move will potentially transform the quality of individual player management agency services available to Australian players.

“I look forward to building a top quality player management service under the PFA banner.  As a former player, I understand how tough the career of a professional footballer is and how trusted the PFA is among the players,” Maloney said.

The PFA’s first Player Management Agency client, Newcastle Jets captain Matt Thompson expressed on the level of comfort he felt as the PFA conducted the negotiations for his recent transfer to Melbourne Heart.

“The trust issue is a massive thing for me. To have Brad and the PFA on my side and backing me through these negotiations made the whole process a lot smoother,” he said.

Brad Maloney’s resume is set out below.

For further information:
Brendan Schwab, PFA Chief Executive 0417 302 699
Brad Maloney, PFA Licensed Player Agent, 0419 251 597

The PFA is the exclusive representative body of Australia’s elite professional footballers including the Socceroos, A-League players, the Matildas, the many Australians playing professionally overseas and the scholars in Australia’s elite academy system such as the Australian Institute of Sport.

RESUME OF BRAD MALONEY
INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
1992 - 2000 Socceroo
1992 Olympian
1991 National Youth Team
1988 - 1989 Australian School Boys

FOOTBALL HONOURS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
1990 - 2003 323 National Soccer League Appearances
2001 / 2002 National Soccer League Premiers (Perth Glory)
1998 / 1999 Johnny Warren Medallist
1995 / 1996 National Soccer League Premiers (Marconi)

COACHING EXPERTISE
Current qualification AFC A License
2006 – October 2009 NSWIS Coaching Staff
2004 National Coaching License
2001 Senior and State Coaching License

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS / QUALIFICATIONS
2008 PFA Life Member
2002 Diploma of Business Management, Edith Cowan University, Western Australia
1998 - 2005 PFA Executive Member

AUSTRALIAN UNDERAGE REPRESENTATIVE HONOURS:
1991 Under 20’s World Youth Cup Finals in Portugal, 4th Place
1992 Under 23’s Olympic Games in Barcelona, 4th Place
1989 and 1990 Australian Schoolboy International

AWARD HONOURS:
1998 / 1999 NSL Player of the Year Johnny Warren Medal
1997 - 1999 Marconi Club Player of the Year