Footballers' Voice
by 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 with host Jake Barker-Daish, who delves 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.
Episodes
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Chelsea Blissett on living with an eating disorder
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...
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Emma Checker on work, balance, leadership and the growth of women's football
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...
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Tommy Oar on the World Cup, retirement, the PFA and work in the media
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.
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Young Matilda and Victory midfielder, Paige Zois
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...
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Josh Brillante on his football journey
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.
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Footballers' Voice: Andrew Durante on Western United's Championship season, retirement and new horizons
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...
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PFA President Alex Wilkinson on Australian football
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.
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Footballers' Voice: Izzy Hodgson and Josh Cavallo on the impact of the A-Leagues Pride Game
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.
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Chloe Knott on Wellington Phoenix Women's inaugural season and relocation to Australia
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...
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Jackson Irvine on life at St. Pauli, Socceroos and the Qatar World Cup
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...
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Kayla Morrison on her breakout season, ACL set back and 2022 aspirations
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.…
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Rebekah Stott on cancer diagnosis, recovery and return to football
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.
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Nathan Coe on Inter Milan, chronic injury and opening cafes
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…
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Scott Jamieson with host Jake Baker-Daish
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!
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Nigel Boogaard chats mental health and giving back to football | 17
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.
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Leigh Broxham maps out life after football | 16
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.
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Elise Kellond Knight right at home in Sweden | 15
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.
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Journeyman Michael Thwaite talks mental illness | 14
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.
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Reds W-League star Kahlia Hogg on life off the pitch | 13
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.
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Remy Siemsen discusses her balanced lifestyle | 12
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.
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Jets custodian Claire Coelho talks courtroom life | 11
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.
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Chatting culture and leadership with Terry McFlynn | 10
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...
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Former Victory man Billy Celeski lanches Boot Lab 101 | 9
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...
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Brisbane Roar's Georgina Worth chats about her big ambitions | 8
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.
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Dean Heffernan discusses Heading Pro | 7
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.
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Stefan Mauk chatting The Inner Game Journals | 6
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.
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2020 PFA Players' Awards | 5
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…
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Football and Racism | 4
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…
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Legal representation and advocacy | 3
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...
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Coronavirus' impact on footballers | 2
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...
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Careers & Education | 1
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…
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About this show
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 with host Jake Barker-Daish, who delves 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.
Hosted by
Professional Footballers Australia (The PFA)