PFA Executive Committee

BY THE PLAYERS, FOR THE PLAYERS

The PFA is led by an Executive committee of current professional footballers who are elected at the PFA Annual General Meeting in accordance with the PFA’s constitutional Rules. In addition to PFA Chairman John Poulakakis is:

Simon Colosimo

PFA President since 2004

In a career that has seen Simon graduate from the Australian Institue of Sport, represent the Socceroos on 26 occasions and played over 200 games in Australia's National competition (NSL & A-League) Simon has forged a reputation as one of Australia's most accomplished midfield talents. Simon has won two Joe Marston Medals - the first in Perth Glory's 2003 NSL Championship winning side and the second in Sydney FC's 2009/2010 A-League title. Now a defender for Melbourne Heart FC, Simon continues to lead the way for improved player relations for Australian footballers in his role as PFA President.

Travis Dodd

PFA Executive since 2010

The PFA's first indigenous Executive Member emerged as one of Adelaide's finest young talents in 1996 making his debut in the NSL as a 16 year old. He has gone on to play over 300 times in a career based mainly in his home land with Adelaide and Newcastle. A Socceroo representative on 3 occasions, Travis' drive down the right side of the park or creativity from midfield has thrilled Australian fans for many years. Travis currently plays for Perth Glory FC.

Jon McKain

PFA Executive member since 2008

Having spent 5 years in Romania’s Liga 1 with FCU Politehnica and National Bucharest, Jon returned to his home competition by signing with Wellington Phoenix in 2008. Jon’s first season with the Phoenix saw him become one of the club’s most consistent performers, playing in 18 of the club’s 21 A-League fixtures. Jon has worn the Socceroo jersey on 12 occasions and was part of the Socceroos campaign in the 2005 Confederation Cup in Germany. Jon has also represented Australia at the 2004 Athens Olympics and at Under-20 level. He has recently returned home from Saudi Arabia to play for Adelaide United FC.

Adrian Leijer

PFA Executive member since 2011

Adrian was part of Melbourne Victory's inaugural squad and played a key role in the club's first Premiership and Championship in 2006/07, being voted the A-League Young Player of the Year as a result. Soon after English Premier League side Fulham FC came knocking for the Socceroo with a three-year deal, allowing Leijer to gain valuable experience overseas as part of a strong Fulham squad, including appearances for Norwich City FC during a loan spell with the Canaries. A graduate from the Victorian Institute of Sport, the centre-half returned to Australia to rejoin former club Melbourne Victory, and was appointed as club captain following the retirement of previous captain and now assistant coach Kevin Muscat.

Bruce Djite

PFA Executive member since 2012

The PFA Executive's newest member is 25 year old striker for Adelaide United Football Club, Bruce Djite. Bruce has had stints with Turkish club Gençlerbirligi, Gold Coast United and Jiangsu Sainty before returning to the reds with whom he first joined as a 19 year old.

Shane Stefanutto

PFA Executive since 2010

Having impressed at the Queensland Academy of Sport in 1998, Shane made an immediate impression in Australian football by representing the Brisbane Strikers in the NSL. He went on to play 124 times for the Strikers before embarking on an overseas career in Norway. Shane spent 5 years in the country playing 121 games for Lillestrom and Lyn - winning the Norwegian Cup with Lillestrom in 2007 - before returning to play for the Fury in 2009. Currently with the Brisbane Roar, Shane has represented the Socceroos on 3 occasions.

Alex Wilkinson

PFA Executive member since 2007

Alex is the captain of the Central Coast Mariners, leading the Mariners to their inaugural A-League Premiership and Grand Final appearance in the A-League in 2007/2008. Alex represented Australia in the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship and led the Central Coast Mariners in their first ever participation in the AFC Asian Champions League tournament in 2009.

Matt McKay

PFA Executive member since 2012

An inaugural A-League player, Matt McKay was a driving force in the Brisbane Roar side, which he captained to a Premiership and Championship of the 2010/11 season. Matt plied his trade in Australia for over a decade, cementing his position in the Socceroos before moving overseas, and is currently playing for Changchun Yatai in the Chinese Super League. Matt is the 2011 winner of the PFA Player of the Year Award, the Gary Wilkins Medal and multiple Players Player and Members’ Player of the Year Awards at Brisbane.

Mark Milligan

PFA Executive member since 2012

Mark Milligan is a current Socceroo having also represented Australia at Young Socceoo and Olyroo level. He was part of the inaugural A-League Championship wining Sydney FC, and also spent a season at Newcastle Jets. Having played abroad in China and Japan for three years Mark is back in the A-League as and integral part of Melbourne Victory.

Ante Covic

PFA Executive member since 2013

Ante was a member of the Socceroos squad that reached the knockout stage of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Having played in the NSL his career lead him overseas, where he played 6 seasons in the Swedish leagues. He is a former A-League Champion with Newcastle Jets FC, and joins the PFA Executive again (Ante also sat on the PFA Executive in 2007) following his recent heroics with Western Sydney Wanderers FC as they claimed the Premiership in their inaugural season. Ante is respected by his peers; voted Player’s Payer of the season at both Jets and Melbourne Victory.

Throughout the year, the senior management of Football Federation Australia will attend meetings of the PFA Executive to discuss the progress of the game and the key player issues.

The PFA Executive may replace a casual vacancy on the Executive arising, for example, from a resignation or a player’s retirement as a professional footballer. Retired players may continue to serve the PFA Executive until the Annual General Meeting following their retirement.