The 2017/18 PFA W-League Report W-League Foreword

The 10th season of the W-League was ground- player welfare are enshrined across the breaking for many reasons: we celebrated league. a decade of elite female club , City were crowned champions for That the W-League’s broadcast coverage the third consecutive season (an Australian is enhanced, making all games visible by Supporting national league record for women or men), leveraging new platforms. and players received significantly improved protections through their Collective That gender equality sits at the heart of all Bargaining Agreement (CBA). footballing decisions, driven by the principles of fairness and respect. the Players The first W-League CBA contributed to: That career longevity is maximised and • Players being remunerated to a more players’ potentials are fulfilled through an desirable level, with the clubs averaging extended and balanced competition. Building close to $247,000 in player payments That the Player Development Program is • An increasing number of players protected and built upon, supporting players attaining a full calendar of high quality in all aspects of their lives and creating club football and a steady flow of income resilient, happy and successful people. the Game by moving between the W-League and the National Women’s Soccer League The players have always been at the forefront (USA) of these issues because it is their careers and the careers of those to come that are • A more competitively balanced inextricably linked to the success of the competition, with the percentage of W-League. ‘blowouts’ hitting a record low The players continue to demonstrate both • A decrease in the number of matches an unwavering desire to enhance all aspects missed through injury, with the of the W-League and a willingness to make introduction of Minimum Medical personal compromises to grow the game. Standards Tools such as this 2017/18 PFA W-League • A direct and fast-paced style of play, Report allow the PFA and the broader industry resulting in more goals, shots and passes to track critical areas of the league’s progress in the attacking third than that of the and players’ livelihoods. National Women’s Soccer League and Women’s Super League (England) Warm regards,

The players know how quickly football moves. Now that the foundations have been laid the focus turns to using our collective strength Professional Footballers to push for a stronger industry, respected 2/55 Walsh Street careers and a world class competition. West Melbourne VIC 3003 To achieve all of this we need to be ambitious. Kathryn Gill | PFA Deputy Chief Executive p 1300 650 497 e [email protected] We need to work hard to make sure the www.pfa.net.au highest standards of high performance and 3 Contents W-League

Collective Employment League Technical Injury Survey Bargaining Framework Assessment Report Report Agreement

7 9 21 33 41 CBA Summary & Snapshot Snapshot Snapshot Snapshot Compliance

10 22 34 42 Introducing the Player Payments Competitive Balance Goals Methodology survey widget

11 23 35 43 Where this symbol appears, you will see data and quotes from our major annual survey of Minimum Salary Coaching Stability Creation Season Overview W-League players. Every W-League player Comparison was sent a link to the online survey in the week following the 2017/18 W-League Grand Final.

12 24 36 44 Between late February and early April, 96 Player Analysis Broadcast Passing Location of Injuries players responded to the survey, although not every player completed every question.

The survey covered a broad range of areas impacting a player’s career, from their 13 25 37 45 contract, to work and study outside of football, Foreign Players Scheduling Possession Minimum Medical to transition-readiness, to assessments of Standards their club, the W-League, the new Collective Bargaining Agreement and the PFA. 14 26 38 W-League & NWSL Attendance Defending Relationship

17 28 39 Match Minutes Stadium Ratings Refereeing

30 46 Integration with A-League Professional Development 4 5 Summary

The 2017/18 W-League was a season of milestones, celebrating a decade of elite women’s domestic football competition and the introduction of the historic 2017-19 W-League CBA: providing players, for the first time, with a minimum wage and significant protections as professional footballers.

What is included in the CBA?

The rights, responsibilities Insurance for all W-League Minimum Medical and obligations of the players Standards players, FFA and the clubs

Collective Minimum Player Payments Grievance procedure to Partnership with FFA to and Maximum Player resolve disputes grow the game Payments

Funding for the PFA Player Competition and Bargaining Development Program performance standards Agreement Compliance

of providing fully professional standards for This shows a number of things: that the core W-League players and being fully compliant football function is most important to players, with all conditions of the new CBA. that there may be a lack of awareness about (or low expectations of) superior conditions It is evident that some clubs are performing elsewhere, and that players may be more better than others, while some clubs may willing to suffer inferior conditions than risk be performing excellently in some areas and uprooting their lives in such an uncertain poorly in others. career.

W-League Survey Despite the various shortfalls in standards This final point suggests CBA compliance players suffered across the board, 80% of must be driven by central enforcement While the new W-League CBA has resulted players intended to stay at their current clubs, because players have limited capacity to in clubs remunerating players to a more and the biggest reasons players gave for not choose an alternate employer. desirable level, it is clear from our major intending to re-sign with their current clubs player survey that all clubs are falling short were personal/lifestyle choices and coaching. 6 7 Snapshot

$246,665.33 181 average spent on total player total number of contracted payments per club players

43% 18.2% of players surveyed of W-League players have received more than the a full calendar of football, W-League minimum moving between the wage W-League and National Employment Women’s Soccer League

45.7% 7 of players were in their first clubs used their full allocation Framework year at their current club of foreign players

While the introduction of the CBA has seen players remunerated at a higher level, work remains to be done in embedding professional operational standards across the league.

8 9 Player Minimum Payments Salary Comparison Salary Floor and Cap increase $10,000 Salary Floor Salary Cap 2017/18

2016 /17 $50,000 $150,000

2017 /18 $180,000 $300,000 $10,287

2017/18

$10,500

Total player payments: 2018 Club by Club W-League Survey

In sports listed, only W-League $12,287 players are able to negotiate salaries above Salary Cap: $300,000 the minimum. 2018/19 Of players surveyed, 57% were paid at or below the $10,000 minimum wage.

Players may have earned under $10,000 if $20,000 they played for less than the full season, for example. 2017 91.88% 85.54% 84.83% 83.80% 84.11% 82.47% 82.29% All figures in AUD.

74.13% NWSL approximate based on 72.95% exchange rate at time of publishing. Figures inclusive of superannuation besides NWSL.

With the introduction this season of a minimum salary, each W-League club spent on average $246,665.33 on player payments, or 82.22% of the Salary Cap.

Clubs 10 11 Player Analysis Foreign Players

Total players Number of Foreign contracted Players in the 33 33 W-League 29 25 21 181Contracted Players 4Amateur Players 17 15 10 10 7 7Scholarship Players 2009 2014 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18 Total players used 2008 /09 2010 /11

172 25 5 26 2 23 20 20 21 20 21 18 19 21 21 19 19 20 The 2017/18 W-League season Club by Club 18 18 18 18 included 33 foreign players Breakdown 1 from 7 different countries

Players Contracted

Players Used

Less: 86.7% “I think it’s more important to give Australian players a chance to play in their own league. It would mean that clubs would be forced to foster talent in their own states. Our commentators also have a habit of ignoring local talent to praise international players and those in our national team”

Each club used 19.1 players on additional ‘free’ players throughout 59 players (31.4%) were in their first More: average, down from 20.7 last season. the season. The improved medical year in the W-League compared to The minimum wage may have standards also contributed to a 29% last season. 86 (45.7%) were in 10.7% “It will increase the level of the league and incentivised clubs to work with their decrease in matches missed through their first year at their current club, W-League Survey 2.7% cause it to be more professional.” initial rosters rather than recruit injury (see Injury Report, p40). up from 40%. Do you think the number of foreign players “Attract top quality players to improve per club should change? Less Stay the same More standard and profile of W-League” W-League NWSL Players & NWSL in the Relationship W-League: Club by Club

2017 NWSL Club Number of Players 2017/18 W-League Club There is a notable trend of NWSL players entering the W-League, with the vast majority of the W-League’s foreign players hailing from Melbourne Victory (1) North America. 3 Perth Glory (1) Likewise, our W-League players are drawn Newcastle Jets (1) to the NWSL. This is because the windows of each league dovetail nicely with each other.

Playing in both leagues allows Australian, Adelaide United (3) American and other international players a 4 Newcastle Jets (1) full calendar of high quality football, along with a steady flow of income.

Melbourne Victory (1) 2 Western Wanderers (1) Player flow between the W-League and NWSL 2 Perth Glory (2)

Adelaide United (1) 2 Melbourne City FC (1)

Canberra United (1) 3 Perth Glory (1) Sydney FC (1)

Brisbane Roar FC (1) 3 Newcastle Jets (1) Sydney FC (1)

Brisbane Roar FC (1) Canberra United (1) W-League NWSL 5 Melbourne City FC (2) Melbourne Victory (1) NWSL W-League 1 Newcastle Jets (1)

Note: Figures indicate American and other international players 14 15 Australian Players Match Minutes in the NWSL: Club by Club

Number who made Average minutes Age Total appearances Total minutes played an appearance per player

2017 NWSL Club Number of Players 2017/18 W-League Club U17 13 56 2,983 229

Portland Thorns (1) 1 18-24 82 640 45,341 553

Orlando Pride (2) 25-29 55 540 43,585 792 Seattle Reign (3) 5

30+ 22 181 12,457 566 Orlando Pride (1) 1 Total 172 1,417 104,366 607

Sky Blue FC (1) 1

Compared to last season, there was a A core principle of the CBA was to provide significant decrease in players under 17 and a career longevity, allowing players to reach near equivalent increase in players over 30. their full potential and enjoy more stable The average player played the employment, so it is pleasing to see the equivalent of 6.7 full matches While this dynamic is evidently appealing for There is also a potential problem on the Ten fewer U17 players made an appearance, share of minutes shift towards the older a growing number of Australian, American horizon as both leagues expand their and there was a 71% decrease in the number bracket so significantly and so quickly. The and other international players, it presents a calendars, because the seasons may overlap of minutes played by such players. Each U17 decreased rates of injury, which correlate number of challenges. and become less conducive to players playing player played around half as many minutes with the introduction of the CBA’s Minimum in both each year, actually reducing the annual on average this season compared to 2016/17, Medial Standards, may also have lessened the Players’ workloads are subject to the playing and earning opportunities for some meaning each played only about two and half reliance on U17 replacement players. competing interests of at least two clubs players. matches on average. However, the number of and possibly a national team, which may over 30 players who got on the pitch jumped Nevertheless, this decrease in opportunities each want the player peaking and resting at While we celebrate the increasing from 8 to 22 and the total minutes played by for youth players must be tracked closely with different times. opportunities for professional female this cohort also more than doubled. regards to player development. footballers, we will continue to work for more Players needing to maximise their earnings aligned, stable and rewarding careers and across these different employers may not be advocate for employers to adopt a coordinated, able to take necessary breaks, optimise their player-centric approach to managing their conditioning and minimise the risk of injury. athletes.

The nomadic lifestyle also impacts on players’ abilities to maintain critical support networks and begin preparing for transition. A core principle of the CBA was to provide career longevity, allowing players to reach their full potential... 16 17 Starting XI Match Stability Minutes Comparison

Spread of minutes within each team Minutes played Comparison of collective and 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1080 individual game time vs A-League, NWSL and Frauen Bundesliga

W-League Survey Total collective Max minutes for Competition minutes a single player Players have a strong desire to see an expanded competition, which can be achieved in a number of ways. The vast majority of players said the first priority is for a longer W-League 23,760 1,080 season with a balanced draw.

Extending or expanding the W-League is critical to provide more opportunities to play A-League 53,460 2,430 and more game time for those who do, but due to the fragmented nature of the players’ careers and the international and club calendars, this process must be collaborative and take into account the impact on players’ NWSL 47,520 2,160 aspirations, finances and wellbeing.

Frauen 43,560 1,980 Bundesliga Which is MOST important: the addition of a 10th team or a complete home and away Regular seasons only season?

87.0%

It is clear the W-League is not providing enough game time for either individual players or the broader playing cohort due to its relatively short length and small number of teams.

While the current synergy between the W-League and NWSL is serving some players 13.0% well, in the long term we need a roadmap to create sustainable careers solely in the W-League.

10th Team Complete H&A Season 18 19 Snapshot

5.6% 10% matches decided by four or players who found away more goals hit a record low facilities to be substandard

92.3% 36% a vast majority of players players who were not at want increased broadcast all satisfied with their coverage club’s integration of League A-League and W-League Assessment 2,237 the average attendance hit a record high, boosted by double headers

This section paints a picture of a league in transition; as standards rise, investment No women’s or men’s team had ever increases and interest balloons. won three back to back grand finals in Australian national league history However, growth and progress has been before Melbourne City’s triumph. sporadic and nonuniform, making for an improving but somewhat unstable Five of the past six W-League environment for the players. Champions have finished outside the top two in the regular season. The chopping and changing of venues and broadcast arrangements from match-to- match has added to the instability. 20 21 Competitive Balance Coaching Stability

Points spread Number of Coaches comparison Seasons in W-League

0 10 20 30 40 5 10 2013/14

3 10 2014

6 10 2015/16

2 3 2016/17

2017/18 8 10

5 10 Match Competitiveness 4 10 As we see from the tighter clustering of clubs above, % of Matches 2013/14 2014 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18 the W-League has become with Margins more competitively balanced in the past two seasons. This 3 10 has coincided with increased investment across the board. Draw 14.6% 14.6% 16.7% 18.5% 13.0% The table on the left shows that the percentage of ‘blowouts’, 1 31.3% 33.3% 31.5% 42.6% 42.6% or matches decided by four 3 10 goals or more, hit a record low 2 16.7% 22.9% 20.4% 16.7% 22.2% this season, so both the league table and individual matches have become more tightly There has been an average of 4.3 coaches at 3 20.8% 12.5% 11.1% 11.1% 16.7% contested. Average 4.3 each club since the start of the W-League, though the more recently admitted Melbourne City drags this average down slightly. 7 out of 4+ 16.7% 16.7% 20.4% 11.1% 5.6% the 9 clubs retained their head coach for the 2017/18 season. 22 23 Broadcast Scheduling

24 Number of matches broadcast on

W-League Survey W-League Survey

Would you prefer to have all matches of Would you prefer to play double headers the W-League live streamed or keep this at times that are less conducive to optimal season’s broadcast format? performance, or have standalone games at 17,306 more appropriate times? Average audience

66.7%

53.1% Double Headers: 46.9% Highest rating “Because of the exposure it gives us.” 25.6% matches: “Play on better grounds.” 7.7% “I wish we had another box. I would like the best of both worlds.”

Melbourne City v Newcastle Jets All games Current Other 1 Double Standalone Standalone: Round 3 (Sunday 4:30pm) streamed broadcast , Headers 34 760 “It’s unsafe for games to be played when the live format temperature is too hot!”

“The product on the field ends up being of Sydney FC v a higher quality...makes the game more 2 Melbourne City marketable.” Grand Final (Sunday 4:30pm) The players indicated a strong appetite 28,391 “Double headers aren’t important to winning for expanded broadcast coverage of the a championship.” W-League, through various combinations of extra televised matches, full streaming coverage and online access for international Melbourne City v viewers, such as NWSL’s YouTube partnership. 3 Canberra United Round 6 (Sunday 4:30pm) The PFA commissioned the streaming of 25,326 two matches in the final round which were more meaningful for the ladder but were not covered by existing broadcast commitments, which were locked in in advance. There exists an opportunity to further exploit emerging Newcastle Jets v technologies to enhance broadcast coverage 4 Western Sydney Wanderers of the W-League. 21,718 Round 1 (Sunday 2:30pm) Even on issues where the players are split, such as whether to have more or fewer double headers, they show a high level of engagement Brisbane Roar v with how the competing issues will 5 Melbourne Victory impact them and their colleagues, and Round 10 (Friday 5:20pm) Note: often a willingness to make personal 21,377 SBS figures not available compromises to grow the game. 24 25 Attendance

Average attendance: Season comparison 2,237

1,547

1,213 It is difficult to draw meaningful conclusions about W-League attendances because of the 1,044 inclusion of double headers with A-League matches. Different clubs have different numbers of double headers (or none at all) and some clubs also use various home 728 766 venues, adding further noise to the data.

622 While it is difficult to scientifically assess the willingness of fans to go to and pay to see matches, it is clear from the data that double headers are leading to greater live exposure for the W-League.

The players’ feedback highlights the need to balance the competing priorities of exposure, atmosphere, pitch quality and professionalism as the league continues to grow. 2014 Data courtesy of FFA 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18

56.8% 43.2% Yes: No

“Yes, because the atmosphere is better “A-League standard venues should be and I think more people are likely to come W-League standard. Simple as that. We play and support us. Also, playing at the bigger better football in proper stadiums on top high- W-League Survey stadiums such as Suncorp, we aren’t allowed quality surfaces because we feel professional. to warm up on the pitch and have to change The better we play, the easier we are to Would you prefer to play in smaller boutique our warm up routine despite the men training market.” stadiums rather than A-League venues? Yes No on it during the week.” 27 Stadium Ratings

Club Playing Surface Criteria Minor Stadia Rating Major Stadia Rating Club averages across minor stadia / major Marden Sports Complex Pace 3.5 stadia for playing Hardness 3.5 surface Smoothness 2.4 Overall 2.4

AJ Kelly Reserve Suncorp Stadium The PFA W-League Stadium Ratings are voted on by selected players after every match. Pace 3.0 3.9 Players rate the quality of the pitch, the Hardness 4.0 3.9 atmosphere and facilities out of 5. Smoothness 5.0 3.3 Overall 4.0 3.7 The average scores for four metrics of pitch quality are presented for each stadium, with clubs’ ‘minor’ stadia separated from ‘major’ McKeller Park stadia which are used in double headers with Pace 3.6 the A-League team. Hardness 3.9 Smoothness 3.6 Three of the minor stadia pitches present immediate concerns with overall ratings of Overall 4.3 under 2.5 out of 5. Lakeside Stadium & MCFC Academy AAMI Park In terms of atmosphere, the players found Pace 5.0 3.7 the smaller venues to be superior, with the Hardness 5.0 3.0 minor stadia scoring on average 3.4 out of 5 compared to 3.1 for the bigger venues. Smoothness 4.5 3.8 Overall 4.0 3.3

Epping Stadium & Lakeside Stadium AAMI Park Pace 3.0 4.0 Hardness 3.0 3.0 Smoothness 3.0 5.0 Overall 4.0 4.0

No.2 Sports Ground McDonald Jones Stadium Pace 4.0 4.0 Hardness 5.0 3.7 Smoothness 4.0 3.9 Overall 4.0 4.7

nib Stadium Pace 4.3 Hardness 4.2 Smoothness 4.7 Overall 4.7

Seymour Shaw Allianz Stadium Pace 4.0 3.4 Hardness 1.0 3.5 Smoothness 1.0 4.1 Overall 2.0 4.1

Marconi Stadium ANZ Stadium Pace 3.5 3.7 Hardness 3.3 2.7 Smoothness 3.0 3.7 28 Overall 2.2 4.0 29 Integration of W-League with A-League

Level of player satisfaction with the integration between women’s and men’s programs at their club W-League Survey

Survey results showed a low level of satisfaction with the integration between 39.7% the W-League and A-League teams at most 35.9% relevant clubs.

The specific comments from players about what worked and what didn’t showed this is not a question of economic investment but shifting behaviours and attitudes, so there is 14.1% no excuse for clubs not to show improvement 10.3% in this area.

Not only do relatively small and simple gestures go a long way for W-League players, but Australian clubs have an opportunity to be truly world-leading in their adoption of Not at all Slightly Very Extremely ‘one-club’ approaches to their women’s and Satisfied Satisfied Satisfied Satisfied men’s teams.

Player comments Successful: Unsuccessful: on integration: “Mixed tables at club functions” “We did joint appearances occasionally but never formally met each other” “A-League coach and players support like talk or videos” “I feel like our teams are completely segregated...only a couple of their players will “Share facilities, dining and games area, and watch us” mingled together” “Treat the women as more than an afterthought”

30 31 Snapshot

Technical Report

This section identifies tactical trends for the The W-League is fairly direct and fast-paced, To the extent that such inferences can be 2017/18 W-League season. This season, for with relatively low pass completion and a lot drawn from this data, the W-League presents the first time, the W-League is benchmarked of turnovers, a high percentage of which occur as having an entertaining style of play but with against overseas leagues using Opta data. in the forward half, suggesting more high room to improve technically compared to the pressing. The NWSL is the most flowing of the NWSL. The 2017 National Women’s Soccer League three leagues while the WSL is generally very (USA) and the 2017/18 Women’s Super League stop-start and also direct. This season witnessed a marked drop in (UK) are used for comparison. Data from finals the number of cards and penalties in the is excluded to present balanced comparisons The WSL’s passing and possession numbers W-League. and the data from the WSL is current to April 19. are inflated by two very dominant teams, which also dominate results, while the The W-League is a high-scoring league W-League and especially the NWSL were compared to the WSL and the NWSL. This is more balanced in terms of game style across due to a higher volume of shots rather than a teams. different quality of shots. 32 33 Goals Percentage of shots converted Percentage of shots on target Total shots per game 41.1% 38.0% 37.2% 37.0%

28.2 26.1 26.8 22.6 Goals per game Percentage of goalless draws 11.8% 12.3% 10.6% 12.1% 8.0% 3.43 3.49 2.85 2.73 W-League W-League NWSL WSL W-League W-League NWSL WSL W-League W-League NWSL WSL 2017/18 2016/17 2017/18 2016/17 2017/18 2016/17 4.1%

1.9% 1.9%

Percentage of shots from Percentage of goals from Crosses per match outside the area set pieces W-League W-League NWSL WSL W-League W-League NWSL WSL 2017/18 2016/17 2017/18 2016/17 42.0% 40.8% 39.6% 41.0% 34.5 31.7% 27.8% 27.0% 27.6% 27.7 23.6 20.0 Despite the number of ‘blowouts’ – matches Scoring breakdown decided by at least four goals – halving from last season, the W-League remains a very high scoring league. There has been only one 0-0 draw in each of the past two seasons. Percentage of goals

W-League W-League NWSL WSL W-League W-League NWSL WSL W-League W-League NWSL WSL 25% 2017/18 2016/17 2017/18 2016/17 2017/18 2016/17

20%

15% Through balls per match Offsides per match Dribbles per match

Percentage of dribbles successful 10% 1.2 5% 5.6 29.6 5.4 5.2 27.0 27.8 0.7 0.6 3.7

0-15 16-30 31-HT HT-60 61-75 76-FT 58% 53% 42% Minute

W-League 2016/17 NWSL

W-League NWSL WSL W-League W-League NWSL WSL W-League NWSL WSL W-League 2017/18 WSL 2017/18 2017/18 2016/17 2017/18 Creation 34 35 Passing Possession

Passes per match Number of passes in average Percentage of passes in Average possession for sequence attacking half top 2 possession teams

793.2 812.1 745.1 Manchester City 60.8% 681.5

59.5% Chelsea FC 59.4% 54.9% 54.4% 2.62 50.9% 71.3% 2.42 2.45 Melbourne City 57.6% 68.9% 69.1% 70.2% Brisbane Roar 55.7%

Orlando Pride 53.6%

Portland Thorns 53.2%

W-League W-League NWSL WSL W-League NWSL WSL W-League W-League NWSL WSL 2017/18 2016/17 2017/18 2017/18 2016/17

Average possession for Percentage of passes successful top 2 placed teams

Percentage of passes forward Percentage of passes long Manchester City 60.8%

Chelsea FC 59.4% 42.4% 41.6% 39.3% 38.3% Brisbane Roar 55.7%

Portland Thorns 53.2% 17.8% 17.3% 16.7% 15.2% Sydney FC 49.5%

North Carolina 48.3% Courage W-League W-League NWSL WSL W-League W-League NWSL WSL 2017/18 2016/17 2017/18 2016/17 36 37 Defending Refereeing

Interceptions per match Percentage of interceptions Yellow cards per match Fouls per yellow card in opponent’s half

3.3

28.4% 11.3 27.1% 26.6% 9.7 45.5 9.5 2.0 2.0 8.4 32.9 30.4 1.4 22.8

W-League W-League NWSL WSL W-League NWSL WSL W-League W-League NWSL WSL W-League NWSL WSL WSL 2017/18 2016/17 2017/18 2017/18 2016/17 2017/18

Tackles per match Percentage of tackles in Fouls per match Red cards per match Penalties per match opponent’s half 0.09 31.6% 29.6% 29.7% 0.40 18.9 19.2 19.5 0.07 0.35 15.4

38.0 38.5 39.8 0.23 28.7 0.04 0.04 0.19

W-League W-League NWSL WSL W-League NWSL WSL W-League W-League NWSL WSL W-League W-League NWSL WSL W-League NWSL WSL WSL 2017/18 2016/17 2017/18 2017/18 2016/17 2017/18 2016/17 2017/18

38 39 Snapshot

Injury Report

40 41 Methodology 2017/18 W-League Season Overview

During the 2017/18 W-League season, the PFA collected and recorded the occurrence of all injuries causing players to miss matches.

The PFA Injury Report was formulated from publicly available information and private Total Matches missed Average matches feedback, specifically through the following injuries due to injury missed per injury key sources: 35 99 2.83

Football Federation Direct communication with Australia (FFA) weekly Official media releases W-League players Matches missed W-League match previews per club

Official W-League club Official websites match previews/reviews

During the 2017/18 W-League Season (excluding the W-League Finals Series), the PFA monitored all players (N = 188) of all clubs.

The collection of the data included:

Official games missed due Number of injuries Injury location to injury

In this report, injury is defined as “any This report does not include injuries players physical complaint sustained during a received while playing for the Australian Important Note: The accuracy of the competitive game or training that resulted National Women’s Team. PFA W-League Injury Report’s results in a player being unable to take part in, at a and analysis is dependent upon the minimum, the player’s next official W-League accuracy of the sources of information game.” Based on the data collected about from which it is derived. Accordingly, injury occurrence and related games missed, the PFA does not warrant that the descriptive analyses were conducted. results are an exact and complete record of player injuries. They are, Total cost is calculated by dividing the total player payments at however, an accurate summation of each club by 192 (16 players x 12 rounds) to find the average the publicly available information Total cost cost to that club of each match missed due to injury, then provided by FFA and club sources. $136,231.97 of injuries multiplying by the number of matches missed (above) 42 43 Location Total Minimum 35 99 Number of Matches of Injuries injuries missed Medical Standards Unstated Concussion 3 6 2 11 Number of Matches Number of Matches Under the CBA, the following medical injuries missed injuries missed assessments must be completed on all Medical screenings rostered players: undertaken at each of Sick/Virus Arm • Medical assessment the clubs • General physical and orthopedic 4 5 3 16 examination Total respondents Number of Matches Number of Matches • Anterior cruciate ligament screening Medical assessment injuries missed injuries missed General physical and orthopedic examination • Clinical cardiovascular examination Anterior cruciate ligament screening • 12-lead-resting ECG (first year with the Wrist Hip club and at least one every two years Clinical cardiovascular examination thereafter) Electrocardiogram (ECG) 2 17 1 2 Number of Matches Number of Matches injuries missed injuries missed 40 35 Quad Hamstring 30 25

20 3 4 2 3 15 Number of Matches Number of Matches injuries missed injuries missed 10 5

0 Knee Adductor 5 10 1 2 Number of Matches Number of Matches injuries missed injuries missed

Data from PFA W-League Annual Player Survey Leg Ankle 1 1 7 21 Number of Matches Number of Matches injuries missed injuries missed We acknowledge the survey is not a perfect reflection of compliance because of the varied samples of players at each club. The signing of players after the club conducts pre-season Foot tests could be a reason for non-compliance but not an excuse. W-League Survey 1 1 Matches missed as a result of ankle Further work needs to done between the Number of Matches The survey showed that no one club adhered injuries have risen by 50% compared PFA, clubs and FFA to ensure the CBA is injuries missed to the Minimum Medical Standards, in to the previous season. enforced and the highest standards of high administering all the prescribed medical performance and player welfare are enshrined assessments to their players. across the league. 45 Players generally felt more positive However, players who worked and ceased or delayed their study or work about the impact of studying on their studied concurred that it was often because of football commitments. lives and their football performance, challenging to fit either in around whereas work was reported as having football commitments. Around one in four players surveyed Professional more of a negative impact, seen by work more than 20 hours a week many as a ‘necessary evil’. The same proportion of studiers and outside of football. Development workers – around two thirds – had

Our annual survey provided valuable We have already launched new projects aimed Balance Study insights across players’ employment, at connecting members with the opportunities education, financial security, wellbeing and and support that best suit their needs. As we How satisfied are you with your current Current study living arrangements. But the survey also continue to build this program, we want your balance between football/work/study/life? confirmed what our conversations with you, feedback so we can continue to make sure we Full-time 28.4% the members, has already told us: that every tailor services that work for you. Not at all Satisfied 5.7% player is unique. Part-time 10.2% Please always feel free to contact me to get Somewhat Satisfied 42.1% We also know that as W-League involved in these programs or share your W-League Survey None 61.4% professionalism increases, so does each ideas for new ones – or, just to chat. I look Very Satisfied 44.3% player’s challenge of balancing football with forward to meeting you all soon. study, other work, commercial opportunities Extremely Satisfied 8.0% and personal life. If not, why not? Erin Clout Whatever your aspirations and circumstances, Player Relations and Engagement Executive More money from the PFA will be with you for your journey. [email protected] football 29.6%

Over the coming seasons we are determined Better life balance 22.2% to better support you to find your balance What reasons might you leave the game Better career and achieve your goals. We hope to help Player comments support 14.8% build resilient athletes who can harness the earlier than you otherwise might have? strengths that make you high performers in on work: Better study support 14.8% football to apply to all aspects of your lives. Financial reasons Better medical “It’s difficult juggling full 51.7% support 13.0% My role within the PFA was established as time work during W-League. To pursue a career / part of the W-League CBA to help drive this I was lucky to have my hours business 47.2% Other 31.5% mission. changed so I could finish on time for training and then To start a family 47.2% training was pushed earlier making it stressful to make it to Life balance reasons 31.5% training on time. It’s also hard Stop enjoying to be physically and mentally football 27.0% prepared for training after To pursue a study working all day.“ 25.8% Work Concerns about injury / health 19.1% Currently working “Work has always allowed me New Other 5.6% to feel confident in knowing I Full-time 28.4% can support myself financially. It also provides ‘real world’ life Part-time 10.2% experience and friends that Programs helped take away stress from None 61.4% my football career.”

What factors would assist in prolonging your WithYouWithMe Minerva Network “My work is great, however it’s football career? If not, why not? stressful to fit both in.” We have partnered with WithYouWithMe to Minerva has access to some of Australia’s More money from More money from create an athlete employment and training most successful businesswomen who are football 85.4% football 29.6% program that support players find jobs in available to mentor players. in-demand industries which are matched to Better life balance 47.2% Better life balance 22.2% the players’ skills and interests. This program is open to all the W-League Better career Better career players and is a great resource for anyone support 41.6% support 14.8% The program has access to athlete- who feels they wish to personally develop friendly employers and is able to support in a particular area, be it leadership, public Better study support 29.2% Better study support 14.8% your training and work whilst still playing speaking, self-confidence, or even a chance Better medical Better medical W-League. to learn from someone who is in a career support 21.4% support 13.0% you’re interested in. Other 4.5% Other 31.5%

46 47 Courage World Class Intelligence Trust Respect

Professional Footballers Australia p 1300 650 497 2/55 Walsh Street e [email protected] West Melbourne VIC 3003 www.pfa.net.au