The future of Canberra United remains shrouded in uncertainty, casting a shadow over the A-League Women's competition. In a pivotal move, the Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) has unveiled a comprehensive 21-point plan designed not only to secure the club's survival but to propel the entire league to new heights.
A Blueprint for Survival and Success
Dubbed 'Ready for Takeoff', the detailed vision challenges Football Australia, the Australian Professional Leagues (APL), and Capital Football to undertake a monumental overhaul. PFA chief executive Beau Busch issued a stark warning, stating the status quo is unsustainable. "We can't stay where we are right now. It's not working for the club owners, it's not working for the players, and it's not achieving the potential," Busch said. He emphasised the league is sitting on an "enormous opportunity" to become a standout competition in Australian sport.
The report, born from extensive market research and player surveys, outlines a four-pillar strategy for transformation. The pillars focus on governance, fan engagement, economic reform, and matchday infrastructure. Among the 21 key recommendations are:
- Introducing minimum standards for all A-League Women clubs.
- Relaunching a fully professional competition after the 2026 Women's Asian Cup.
- Commencing revenue-sharing among clubs to ensure financial sustainability.
- Establishing a more effective club licensing program agreed upon by all stakeholders.
- Creating an independent commission for the A-Leagues with proper gender representation.
Addressing a Crisis of Confidence
The urgent call for reform follows a damning player survey from the 2024-25 season, which ranked the A-League Women as the least-preferred league globally among comparable competitions. Players flagged critical issues with remuneration, mental wellbeing, poor facilities, and governance. The league's minimum salary stands at just $26,000, the lowest in Australian women's sport, despite once leading the way.
This instability is mirrored in club fortunes. Western United's financial collapse, the Central Coast Mariners' ownership troubles, and the profound uncertainty surrounding Canberra United exemplify the challenges. Capital Football, which currently runs Canberra United, insists this season must be its last, but a new owner has yet to be secured, leaving the club's licence in limbo.
Matildas star and PFA co-president Tameka Yallop stressed the timing is critical. "By acting now, the game can capitalise on the success of the Matildas, the global rise of women's football, and the generational opportunity of this year's Women's Asian Cup," Yallop said.
The Path to a Professional Future
The PFA argues that investing in a fully professional league will "pay for itself". The union's report suggests strategic changes could unlock significant revenue, including a share of the global transfer market projected to be worth $200 million by 2027. This could inject an estimated $10 million annually into Australian clubs.
Former Matilda and PFA deputy chair Elise Kellond-Knight echoed the sentiment of untapped potential. "Players know the immense opportunity of the A-League Women, which we believe could not only be the top league in Asia, but one of the major competitions globally," she said.
In response to previous criticism, APL chairman Stephen Conroy highlighted the league's role as a proven pathway to the Matildas, noting 22 players were called up last season. He also pointed to a recent 7% increase in the salary cap above the CBA agreement as evidence of sustainable growth.
Ultimately, the PFA's blueprint presents a crossroad for Australian football. As Busch concluded, realising this vision requires a united effort. "The players alone cannot bring this vision to life. It requires the clubs, the APL, FA, government, broadcasters and sponsors to join us," he said. The future of Canberra United may well depend on whether the game's leaders are ready to take off.
