September 13 – While Australia’s A-League club owners continue battle the Football Federation Australia (FFA) over their share of the increased A$346 million ($277.6 million) six-year broadcast deal, Australia’s women players have been won a pay agreement that will double their wages.
The two-year wage negotiation will see W-League players average pay rise to A$15,500 ($12,436) for the upcoming season. The previous average was A$6,909.
Players will have a guaranteed retainer of at least A$10,000 ($8,023) for the coming season and A$12,200 ($9,788) for the 2018/19 season, while there will be no cap on what a player can earn.
The new deal is a huge boost for the women’s game in Australia where previously many women players in the top division only received expenses. It will now enable more women to become full time professionals.
FFA CEO David Gallop (pictured) said: “This is the start of a new era for professional female footballers in Australia. W-League players deserve this pay rise. They have been trailblazers for women’s sport in Australia and are about to enter their tenth season.”
The full deal will provide players with contract certainty and allow clubs to increase their playing rosters. Also included are enhanced medical provisions as well as key principles for the first ever formal maternity policy.
As well as improving conditions for players the FFA has increased the salary cap per club from A$150,000 (2016/17 – $120,000) to A$300,000 ($240,700) this season and A$350,000 ($280,820) in 2018/19.
Gallop said the agreement negotiated with Professional Footballers Australia was an “important next step” for the W-League, but that more needs to be done to bridge the gap to the professional men’s game in Australia.
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