Striking a deal for equality:The new CBA locks in pay parity for the men's and women's national football teams.Credit:EPA
The CBA covers the next World Cup cycle for both teams,with players – men's and women's – to share 24 per cent of the combined revenues of the national teams,rising by one per cent per year.
Five per cent of that portion of revenues will be reinvested into youth national teams,providing them with surer financial footing at a time when the FFA's own revenue is set to be slashed by the A-League's move to independence.
It all amounts to a pay cut for the Socceroos,but the team unanimously backed the new CBA when it was tabled by their union.
"We often underrate the quality of leadership that Australian football has had over recent years,"PFA chief executive John Didulica said.
Breakthrough:Elise Kellond-Knight,right,has hailed the equal opportunity represented by the deal.Credit:AP
"When you look at guys like Tim Cahill,Mile Jedinak and now Mark Milligan,these guys are genuine champions of the game and they see what's in the best interests of the sport. And they had no doubt it was in the best interests of the game for the Matildas to be empowered and paid at the same level."
Matildas midfielder Elise Kellond-Knight said the deal showed"respect"towards women's players.