ABOUT APL
The Australian Professional Leagues (APL) is the governing body that operates, markets and commercialises the top tier professional domestic football competitions in Australia, known collectively as the A-Leagues.
Since gaining independence from Football Australia in December 2020, the APL has embarked upon an ambitious strategy to develop top-tier professional football talent in Australia and New Zealand, drive engagement across the leagues and to build on football’s undisputed position as the country’s most popular participation sport.
The re-branded men’s and women’s competitions (brought under the A-Leagues brand to reflect football’s young, inclusive and forward-looking audience) are made up of the Isuzu UTE A-League Men and Ninja A-League Women.
With 13 clubs in the men’s league and 12 in the women’s competition, the APL aims to grow both competitions to be the league of choice for modern Australians and New Zealanders, and unite communities through a shared love of football.
OUR BOARD
The current members of the APL Board are:
The Hon Stephen Conroy – Independent Chair
The Hon Stephen Conroy was appointed as Independent Chair of the Board in September 2023. Stephen served as Leader in the Senate and Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Digital Productivity during his twenty-year political career (1996 – 2016).
Stephen is currently Chair of public affairs consultancy T.G. Public Affairs, which provides strategic advice to a range of Australian companies, and Pennytel. Stephen is also a Political Contributor to Sky News Australia where he appears regularly as a commentator on a wide range of the network’s political and news programs.
Stephen Evans – Shareholder Representative
Stephen Evans is a Managing Director at Silver Lake, the global investment firm.
Stephen serves on the Boards of multiple organisations across the world including Ambassador Theatre Group, Diamond Baseball Holdings, Endeavor, Learfield, NZ Rugby Commercial, TEG and Thrasio.
Ebru K̦ksal CFA РFA Representative
Ebru Köksal CFA was appointed to the Board in 2022 as Football Australia’s nominated board member. Ebru is an experienced football and finance executive and an advocate for women’s football and gender equality.
Ebru is currently an Independent Non-Executive Director of the UK’s Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) and also holds board positions with Women in Football UK (Chair) and Doublepass BV (Non-Executive). She is a senior advisor at the investment management firm J. Stern & Co where she advises on football finance transactions.
John Dovaston GAICD, FCA, BBus – Club Representative
John Dovaston was appointed to the Board in 2025 and is the Chairman of the Finance Risk and Audit Committee. John has been on the Board of Melbourne Victory Football Club since 2015 and the Chairman since 2023.
John is an experienced senior executive with over 35 years of international business experience, which includes living and working throughout Asia Pacific, the US and Europe. John specialises in the areas of strategy, transformation, risk and regulatory and financial reporting.
Gino Marra – Club Representative
Gino Marra is the Chairman of Macarthur Bulls FC, where he played an instrumental role in successfully establishing the Club and overseeing its entry into the competition during the 2020/21 season.
Gino is currently the Managing Director of Marra Capital Partners, a leading private equity and investment manager. Gino also oversees a diverse investment portfolio that includes investments in the finance waste technology and telecommunication sectors.
Rob Morrison – Club Representative
Rob Morrison was appointed to the Board in November 2023. Rob has been owner and Chairman of Wellington Phoenix Football Club since 2011.
Rob is currently Chairman of H.R.L. Morrison & Co, a leading specialist investment and asset manager, previously served as an independent director of Kiwibank from 2009 to 2017, and held a dual role as CEO and Chair of CLSA Asia Pacific between 2002 and 2008.
Rob is also a council member of the Asian Corporate Governance Association, a director the regional advisory board of The Nature Conservancy and an advisory professor at Nankai University in Tianjin, China.
Simon Pearce – Club Representative
Simon Pearce was appointed to the Board in December 2020. Simon is a member of the boards of City Football Group and Manchester City Football Club. He is also Vice Chairman of Melbourne City FC.
In 2006, Simon joined the Executive Affairs Authority of Abu Dhabi, and currently serves as Special Advisor to the Chairman. Simon is also a Board Member of Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management, operator of Yas Marina Circuit and home of the F1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and a Board Member of Manchester Life Development Company.
Kaz Patafta – Club Representative
Kaz Patafta was appointed to the board in April 2025, is the Chairman and CEO of Brisbane Roar FC and a Director at McDonald Patafta & Associates Lawyers. A seasoned lawyer and business executive, Kaz brings deep expertise in commercial law, infrastructure, project finance, and cross-border transactions, particularly across Asia and has advised both governments and major institutions on high-profile projects. Â
Kaz’s experience spans legal, corporate, and sports leadership roles. Before leading Brisbane Roar FC, he was CEO of a professional football club in Asia and previously played professionally for the Socceroos, Benfica (Portugal), and in the A-League. He holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from Deakin University, a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from ANU, and is an ISO 9001:2015 Certified Internal Auditor.
