Footballers' Voice: Recent Episodes
Professional Footballers Australia (The PFA)
The careers of Australia's professional footballers extend well beyond their performances on the pitch; their lives and experiences are varied, diverse and rich. Through Footballers' Voice, the players' individual and collective stories are explored through a unique narrative format, delving into their lives as people first, footballers second. Footballers' Voice features discussion on player education, wellbeing, identity, mentality, sacrifices and what it takes to become a professional footballer.
Content warning: the following podcast contains discussion of eating disorders that may distress some listeners.Melbourne City FC's Chelsea Blissett recently shared her experience of living - and playing professional football - with an eating disorder. In her chat with Jake Barker-Daish, she delves into how her journey of self discovery and recovery, and how she is now thriving in the A-League Women competition. By sharing her story she hopes to help others with similar eating disorders and by raising awareness for the Butterfly Foundation: https://butterfly.org.au
Melbourne City FC's Emma Checker is considered a veteran of Australian football, despite being only 26. Checker commenced her professional career at just 15 and has developed over time to become one of the experienced leaders in the A-League Women. She has witnessed the evolution of women's football in Australia and the exponential growth of the Matildas.
Recently retired A-League Men player and former Socceroo Tommy Oar joins Jake Barker-Daish to speak about his decision to hang up the boots, transition into life after football, new challenges ahead and his time playing overseas, in the A-League and for the green and gold.
In the latest episode of Footballers' Voice, former youth international Jake Barker-Daish catches up with emerging Australian international and A-League Women's midfielder, Paige Zois. The duo discuss Zois' individual goals for the upcoming A-League Women's campaign, her recent involvement in the U20 World Cup in Costa Rica, and the culture of Melbourne Victory's championship-winning team.
From emerging through Gold Coast United's youth team to secure his first professional contract, through to stints overseas in Italy and in Greece, Melbourne Victory captain shares his career journey in our latest episode of Footballers' Voice.
Following a long and storied career on the pitch in Australian and New Zealand football, Andrew Durante has transitioned into his new career following his retirement, helping to support the development of players at Western United off the pitch in his new role as Player Welfare and Development Manager.
Durante will work with the PFA to ensure Western United players across all programs, including men’s, women’s and youth teams, will have the necessary support and guidance to achieve their football and non-football goals.
PFA President and Sydney FC defender and captain Alex Wilkinson joins Jake Barker-Daish to discuss the recently-concluded A-League season, the Socceroos, his career abroad, proposed changes to Australian football and youth development and his role with the PFA.
After the first ever Pride Game in the A-Leagues last month, Adelaide United's Josh Cavallo and Izzy Hodgson joined Footballers' Voice host Jake Barker-Daish to reflect on the impact of the initiative on them and the broader community.
In what can only be described as a turbulent first season in the A-League Women, Wellington Phoenix's Chloe Knott shares what the experience has been like for her and her teammates during their inaugural campaign. From relocating to Wollongong to participate in their first season, recounting the highs and lows on and off the pitch and what it's like being in dorms in their 'football university' accomodation, Chloe shares an insight into Phoenix's experience behind the scenes.
From his life as an emerging footballer in Victoria's junior ranks to representing the green and gold of the Socceroos, from the English Championship to the 2. Bundesliga, Jackson Irvine's football journey has been as varied as they come. Throughout his growth as a player, Jackson has developed a strong persona off the pitch, developing a passion for social issues, which have been supported by the distinctive culture of his current club, St. Pauli.
Kayla Morrison describes her last 12 months as transition from "dream to nightmare". Following a breakout season with Melbourne Victory in which she was named the Players' Player of the Year and won the Women's Championship, Morrison suffered an ACL tear in her first game of the 2021/22 season. In this chat with host Jake Barker-Daish, Morrison shares insights into her career and life off the pitch as she recovers from injury.
Football Fern and Melbourne City FC's Rebekah Stott shares the story of her life and football career to date on and off the pitch, including her battle with Stage 3 Hodgkin's lymphoma.
In our latest episode of the revamped Footballers' Voice, former Melbourne Victory and Socceroos goalkeeper Nathan Coe joins host Jake Barker-Daish to discuss his incredible career on the pitch and challenges he faced retiring from the sport early with a chronic back injury. During this candid chat at Coe's cafe in Melbourne, the former Victory stopper reveals he was a late bloomer as a goalkeeper, but quickly earned a move from Brisbane Strikers to a star-studded Inter Milan side in 2002. From there he served his apprenticeship at PSV, before earning first-choice status for SønderjyskE in the Danish Superliga, only for his career to come to a premature end at Melbourne Victory.
Ahead of the 2021/22 A-League Men's season, new Footballers' Voice host, Jake Barker-Daish, caught up with the captain of A-League Men's Champions, Melbourne City, Scott Jamieson to discuss his hopes on the new season, the long pre-season, his foray into media and commentary, the PFA and more!
Nigel Boogaard was an absolute warrior, playing for 16 years and forging a consistent career. We spoke about life after football, the mental health foundation he's involved with and how he's committed to giving back to a sport, which gave him so much joy.
Melbourne Victory fans adore Leigh Broxham for getting the best out of himself. Now that he's nearing the end of his journey, Leigh chats about life raising triplets, what he and his wife set up during covid and where he sees himself when he finally hangs up the boots.
Matildas veteran Elise Kellond Knight has played in a multitude of different countries, but right now she's happier than she's ever been in her decorated career. We checked in with her after returning from an ACL injury and she discusses what's on the horizon in the near term future.
Former A-League champion Michael Thwaite talks about the transition from playing life to life off the pitch. With his new business which promotes mental health & wellbeing.
Adelaide United enjoyed a great resurgence in the W-League, only narrowly missing out on finals and Kahlia Hogg joins us to chat about the improved team, her studies and fascination with technology outside of football.
Remy Siemsen has emerged as one of the W-League’s brightest talents. She’s a fierce competitor on the field with a youthful energy, but her activities and perspective on life outside of football shows how she’s mature beyond her years, as she sets a great example for young girls rising up the ranks.
Claire Coelho isn't your normal 24-year-old. She balances criminal law with professional football, as a goalkeeper for the Newcastle Jets. From the courtroom to the football pitch, we learn about how she juggles the two and her advice for other footballers trying to find balance outside of football.
Former A-League and Sydney FC champion, Terry McFlynn has enjoyed a smooth transition after his professional footballing career. He delves into leadership, culture, teamwork and communication skills and how he's trying to empower the younger generation during his Football Operations Manager role with Perth Glory.
Former A-League and J-League footballer Billy Celeski has taken an entrepreneurial since leaving the game. He chats to us about an exciting new product that's about to hit the market, Boot Lab 101. Celeski takes us through the inspiration for the idea, intensive strategic process to create the product and his marketing strategy.
She's a bright spark off the field and an emerging leader and player on the field. Georgina Worth has suffered a few setbacks along the way, however she feels like those experiences have galvanised her for a break-through W-League season ahead.
Former A-League stalwart Dean Heffernan endured a horror concussion incident in a Charity Match against Manchester United over three years ago, which inspired him to create Heading Pro, a specially designed football that is meant to keep players safe when heading the ball.
New Adelaide United skipper Stefan Mauk discusses how he used life in lockdown to launch a new business, The Inner Game Journals - a creation to help athletes understand themselves better through daily assessment.
In this episode, the PFA connect with the 2020 Players' Award winners, from Women's Footballer of the Year Steph Catley, based in London with Arsenal, Liberato Cacace in Belgium, Australia's sole Premier League representative, Mat Ryan in Brighton, through to PFA Community Medallist Luke Brattan in Sydney. Each player shares insights into thier personal journeys on and off the pitch in another enlightening episode of Footballers' Voice.
In a year like few others, rising racial tensions have highlighted systemic racial inequalities across the globe. In Episode 4 of the Footballers’ Voice, the PFA explores the issue of race within football, with three players who have direct experiences with discrimination in their personal lives or careers; Socceroo Thomas Deng, Brisbane Roar’s Allira Toby and Central Coast Mariners’ Ruon Tongyik.
Players' training schedules and demands are as rigorous as they've ever been. With this in mind, the players just want to play football but there's a lot more to it than just what happens on the field. Listen to the stories of three players, who all found themselves in tricky situations, only for the PFA to come to their rescue. Ante Bakmaz had a whirlwind 48 hours in Indonesia when coronavirus hit, Brent Griffiths experienced a contract nightmare with an Asian club, while Mark Bridge's torrid tale during his time in Thailand is hard to fathom.
Coronavirus has had a profound impact on society. For Australian footballers, it's been tough for them to adapt in isolation but they're keeping upbeat and are determined to see the game come out of the other side. Sydney FC defender Alex Wilkinson discussed the need for Australian football to unified at this time, Lydia Williams takes a positive approach to the situation, despite the Matildas preparations for Tokyo 2020 now being in tatters, while Scott McDonald is trying to maximise the connection with his family during this difficult time.
In the Footballer's Voice podcast you will learn about resilience, diversity, heartache, mental health and what sacrifices are made that the fans never hear or see. In Episode 1 you'll hear about how study has moulded people like Western United's Brendan Hamill into a better person. Newcastle Jets' defender Hannah Brewer shares her story of off-field education, which will leave you feeling inspired.
We speak to Sydney FC stopper Andrew Redmayne, who's gone through the highs and lows of being a footballer. And we touch base with a young gun, Gianni Stensness, who's always thinking about things off the field.
Featured players: Brendon Hamill - Western United Hannah Brewer - Newcastle Jets Andrew Redmayne - Sydney FC Gianni Stensness - Central Coast Mariners