FIFPRO has appointed Amanda Vandervort as its first chief women’s football officer, and hired New Zealand international player Sarah Gregorius to its policy team.

Vandervort has worked extensively in U.S. soccer as a player, coach and executive, holding senior roles in both Major League Soccer and Women’s Professional Soccer. Gregorius has played club football in England, Germany, Japan and New Zealand. She has played 99 times for her national team, and served as a board member for the New Zealand Football Players' Association.

FIFPRO's affiliated player associations have campaigned successfully for better pay and conditions for women players the last two years, with those in Australia, Finland, Norway and New Zealand helping players to strike landmark deals for national teams, and those in Argentina, Colombia and Spain helping to develop professional leagues. FIFPRO’s latest industry report – Raising Our Game – is scheduled for publication in February 2020.

Vandervort said, “Women’s football is rapidly growing and changing, and female footballers are voicing their needs. Now is the time for even more proactive support and even greater representation on their behalf. We’ll work hard to implement the best possible player standards.”

Gregorius said, “I’m passionate about putting the players’ voice into the conversations and decisions that shape our game, to build a better landscape for myself, my teammates, and those that will come along next. I’m excited about the opportunity to do just that with FIFPRO.”