A-Leagues Fan Representative Group

What is the APL FRG program?

The APL Fan Representative Group (FRG) is an initiative designed to provide a voice for fans, ensuring their views are considered in future plans for the A-Leagues.

It provides a comprehensive club-league model for fan engagement and consultation, recognising supporters as key stakeholders of our competitions.

Each A-Leagues club has its own FRG, comprising 10 or more members, who meet a minimum of four times per year. One member of each of these clubs is elected ‘chair’ and takes on the responsibility of joining the league-wide FRG.

Armed with inputs from their club FRGs, as well as insights from fan satisfaction surveys, elected chairs contribute to consultation with the League on current challenges and identified opportunities.

These representatives give further insight into deep dive sessions on specific topics the League is aware of through its research mechanisms, and have the ability to contribute to co-designing solutions or initiatives.

What are the aims of the FRG? Why is it important?

The A-Leagues FRG’s purpose is to provide a structured forum for A-Leagues’ club fans to engage with the Leagues in a constructive manner, in an environment where ideas and feedback can be shared and discussed.

Specifically, the aims of the A-Leagues FRG can be summarised as follows:

To set up a constructive communication channel between the A-Leagues and fans of its clubs.
To provide the A-Leagues with a platform to discuss new ideas with fans and seek their feedback.
To give fans the opportunity to provide club specific fan feedback, present new ideas and suggestions directly to the A-Leagues.

Who is part of the A-Leagues FRG meetings?

A fan representative from each A-Leagues club, and is chaired by Commissioner of the A-Leagues Nick Garcia, who brings in relevant subject matter experts to discuss items relating to key agenda topics. This commonly includes APL’s Chief Commercial Officer, Director of Clubs & Operations, and specialists from marketing, communications and broadcast as required.

How are FRG members selected? How long do they serve for?

FRG Club Members are selected through each club’s own set of criteria and terms as per their own club’s charter.

Each Club FRG then votes for their Chair, who will be the representative of that club on behalf of that club’s fans to the A-Leagues FRG.

Inaugural FRG Club Chairs hold an initial tenure of 24 months from September 2023, with a rotation of FRG Club Chair position to occur on a 12 month basis each year after based on the votes of their own club FRG members.

What are the responsibilities of an FRG member?

Fans who participate in the A-Leagues FRG are encouraged to:

Encourage fans to share and submit feedback via their own club’s “Fan Feedback Form” in advance of Club FRG meetings to ensure that the FRG is representing the voice of as many of their club fans as possible.
Put forward ideas and make recommendations which consider the discussions had with their respective club’s FRG and take into account broader fan sentiment.
Advise the League on matters from their club’s fans perspective.
Constructively challenge the League.

How often does the FRG meet?

The APL FRG meets a minimum of four times per year on a regular schedule, and meet on an adhoc basis to cover any time-critical decisions.

Who is my club’s FRG representative?

Adelaide United
Joe Aylward

Joe is a 20-year member of Adelaide United and has always been passionate about supporting the Reds, despite his boyhood club in the UK being Everton.

Joe was a founding committee member of the Football Supporters Association of Australia and has forged strong links with AUFC to work hand in glove with their FRG.

To contact Adelaide United’s FRG Click Here.

Brisbane Roar
Chris May

Chris has been involved in professional sporting organisations for over 30 years and has been a keen and passionate supporter of football for over 40 years.

He has been involved with the Brisbane Roar Football Club for over six years and looks forward to the future development of this great game.

To contact Brisbane Roar’s FRG, click here.

Central Coast Mariners
Erin Morrow

Erin loves football. He loves playing it, watching it coaching it, discussing it – everything about football.

He also loves his home – the Central Coast. He’s been a part of Central Coast Mariners since the beginning in lots of different volunteer roles. It is his passion to see the Central Coast properly know and love their A-Leagues club.

To contact Central Coast Mariners’ FRG Click Here

Macarthur FC
David Morgan

Dave is a Foundation Member of Macarthur FC and a proud member of the club’s inaugural Fan Representative Group.

With a passion for football from an early age, he has both played and coached, and been lucky enough to watch the game in Australia and abroad.

His engagement with Macarthur FC and it’s supporter base has been a brilliant experience and he looks forward to supporting our fans into the future.

To contact Macarthur FC’s FRG Click Here

Melbourne City
Kathleen Crawford & Matt Mann

Kathleen has been involved in the administration of women’s football in both New Zealand and Australia for many years. Kathleen and her family have supported Melbourne City women’s since their inaugural year and avid supporters of the women’s game. With over two decades working in government, Kathleen enjoys applying her governance experience as the Melbourne City FRG Co-Chair.

Matt has been attending football matches for longer than he can walk. Growing up in England, he was a regular at Hillsborough, before moving to Australia. He is a foundation member at Melbourne Heart and has been nearly every type of member since then. Now he takes his daughter and her friends to games and is passing on his passion for the game to them.

To contact Melbourne City’s FRG please send an email to melbournecityfrg@gmail.com.

Melbourne Victory
Maria Berry AM

Maria is a long-standing and committed Melbourne Victory member, supporting both the men’s and women’s teams right back to the early days of the A-League and W-League. She has been highly involved at all levels of the game over many years – especially with the women’s game – as a player, coach and administrator, at club, state and national level. Among other things Maria was the ground announcer for the Victory Women’s team back in the day. Maria is a sports industry professional who has worked across a range of sports, including football, in the areas of facilities and sports integrity.

Maria believes that success for Australian professional football leagues and the clubs we love is essentially tied to fan connection and support. She is therefore passionate about the importance of all clubs engaging with their fans and responding to the wide variety of expectations that different types of fans have for their match-day experience and their communications with the teams and club.

To contact Melbourne Victory’s FRG Click Here.

Newcastle Jets
Luke Welsman

Luke Welsman, a dedicated football fan, has supported the Newcastle Jets since the Breakers days and has fond memories of Friday nights at Ausgrid Stadium, enjoying the atmosphere and great times with friends.

As Chair, he’s passionate about bringing people together and fostering meaningful conversations among fellow fans.

To contact Newcastle Jets’ FRG Click Here

Perth Glory
Kim Hawkins

Kim has previously been a keen football player, junior coach and administrator.

Kim’s family have been Glory supporters since the beginning and she’s honoured to be elected as the club’s inaugural FRG chairperson. With her varied executive level career positions, Kim has led a number of committees and groups at a state and national level.

To contact Perth Glory’s FRG Click Here

Sydney FC
Youssef Hussain

As a lifelong football fan and player, and a supporter of Sydney FC from the beginning, Youssef’s love for the game has led him to this platform where we can help the game grow in Australia.

I am very proud to be a part of Sydney FC, and also the wider community across the A Leagues where my passion can help contribute with some great like minded members!

Wellington Phoenix
Susan Baikie

Susan is the proud team manager for the Waterside Karori Women’s First team and holds a seat on her local football club executive. Football runs through her veins and is deeply rooted in her family’s life.

Being part of the Phoenix XI (FRG) allows her to make a meaningful contribution to a sport that has brought immense joy and camaraderie to her family over the years!

To contact Wellington Phoenix’s FRG, send an email to wellingtonphoenixfrg@gmail.com.

Western Sydney Wanderers
Harry Inns

Harry is a proud foundation member of the Wanderers, along with his extended family.

In addition to his commitment to football through his involvement with the WSW representative group, Harry is on the Board of his local grassroots Club, Glenwood Redbacks, and Coaches the club’s Premier League Squad in his spare time.

To contact Western Sydney Wanderers’ FRG Click Here.

Western United
Daniel Hoogstra

Having grown up in Geelong and now living in Melbourne’s western suburbs, becoming a Foundation Member of Western United was an easy choice for Daniel.

As chair of the Western United Fan Representative Group, he’s all about using hisexperience in leadership and community engagement to make sure fans feel heard.

He’s passionate about building strong and inclusive communities and creating a welcoming atmosphere where every fan can feel connected and appreciated.

To contact Western United’s FRG Click Here