Aussie Women Footballers get pay parity with Men

Sydney: For the first time in the world, women footballers in Australia’s national team will be paid the same as their male counterparts.

The Football Federation Australia (FFA) and Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) formally announced the deal on Wednesday that closes the pay gap between women’s players from the national side, the Matildas, earning an equal salary to their counterparts in men’s team, the Socceroos.

The new four-year deal, known as the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), will see Matildas receive a 24 percent share of an agreed aggregate of national team generated revenues in 2019-20, rising by one percent each year of the four-year deal.

While historically the Socceroos have been allocated a greater share of commercial revenues, the new terms will be the same for both teams.

Also included in the deal, the Matildas will now fly business class for international travel – the same standard afforded to the men – and the amount of World Cup prize money allocated to the players will increase from 30 to 40 percent, jumping to 50 percent if they reach the knockout stage of the competition.

“Football is the game for everyone, and this new CBA is another huge step toward ensuring that we live the values of equality, inclusivity, and opportunity,” FFA Chairman, Chris Nikou said.

“For the first time, player remuneration will be directly tied to the revenues generated by our National Teams – this will create a sustainable financial model that incentivizes players and FFA to collaborate and grow the commercial pie together.”

“It means whether you are a male or female, the value football places on your jersey is no different. We are proud to break this new ground in Australian and world sport,” he added.

“This agreement is the product of generations of Matildas and their supporters advocating for real change,” Former Matilda and FFA Head of Game Development, Sarah Walsh said.

“This moment belongs to all of them as well,” she added.

The allocation of any prospective World Cup prize money to players has been increased. (IANS)

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