James Johnson - Chief Executive Officer
James Johnson was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Football Australia in January 2020.
A qualified lawyer and retired footballer, James is a sports administrator who has previously held senior executive positions with FIFA, the Asian Football Confederation and City Football Group.
Following his appointment as Chief Executive Officer of Football Australia, James worked with his team and the Australian football community to release a vision for Australia’s largest participant, most diverse and globally connected sport. The XI Principles for the future of Australian Football (XI Principles For The Future of Australian Football | Football Australia), Australian football’s 15-year Vision is bold, progressive, and designed to unite and guide the sport’s decision making.
Since its release in 2020, James has been focused on bringing this vision to life and has already overseen a meaningful change in Australian football, including:
- Successfully bidding to host the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup together with New Zealand. This will be the most significant event in Australian sport since the 2000 Sydney Olympics with some 1.5 Billion people expected to tune in from around the world.
- Transforming the governance of Australian football with the creation of a new model for its professional leagues (men and women) in December 2020, when he oversaw the completion of the ‘unbundling’ of the professional leagues from Football Australia. Now a separate entity, operated by Australia’s professional football clubs, has been created and managed under the umbrella of Football Australia to run the daily operations of the professional leagues.
- Successfully led a commercial turnaround for the sport through its most difficult period. James has guided Football Australia to landmark record broadcast deals with CBSViacom Paramount+ and Network 10; record sponsorship deals with Commonwealth Bank Australia, Cadbury and Priceline. In the past 12 months, Football Australia has doubled its budgeted revenues with the sport now in a healthy position for future growth.
- The launch of our FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Legacy program (“Legacy 23”) which is aimed at increasing Australian football’s participation base (particularly women and girls); improving facilities across the country; maximizing opportunities to boost tourism and trade with our governments' partners and empowering a new generation of women to lead on and off the pitch. Since its launch, Football Australia has secured $18 million in funding from the Federal Government in support of Legacy ‘23.
- Revamping Australian football’s national knock out competition by allocating a qualification slot into Asian football competitions, shifting the latter stage of the competition’s calendar from weekdays to weekends, and negotiating the final to be played on free to air TV.
- Successfully led the negotiation of a six-part docu-series with the Walt Disney Company for a Disney+ Original which will tell the story of the Australian women’s national football team, the Commonwealth Bank Matildas, as they prepare for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ on home soil alongside co-host New Zealand.
James is now leading key initiatives for Australian football including the digital transformation of community football in Australian football; creating new national-level competitions (men and women) and reimagining Australian football products as the game adapts to the evolving habits of football participants; introducing a new player transfer system; continuing to grow the commercial revenues for the sport, and building Australian football’s men’s and women’s national team (Socceroos and Matildas) into global iconic sports brands.
James is a regularly featured speaker at sports conferences domestically and across the globe.
Alex Davani - Chief of Staff
Alex Davani joined Football Australia in January 2021, as Head of Executive Office and Strategy, after contracting to the organization in 2020, working closely with the Chief Executive Officer, James Johnson, to develop Football Australia’s XI Principles for the Future of Australian Football.
A qualified Lawyer by trade, with a Master of Laws from the University of Melbourne, Alex has worked at ExxonMobil Papua New Guinea in both a Government Relations capacity and as In-House Legal Counsel.
A former Papua New Guinea Men’s Football International, Captaining at U20 and U23 levels, Alex has also enjoyed various roles with the Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee (‘PNGOC’) including Director and Board Member, Chair of its Athletes’ Commission and Commercial Manager. Alex has also been on the Athletes’ Commission of the Oceania National Olympic Committees.
After founding his sports consultancy service in Papua New Guinea, advising clients including the PNGOC, FIFPro Asia and Oceania, Professional Football clubs throughout the Asia-Pacific region, and FIFA’s Development Department, he relocated to Australia and currently works closely with Football Australia CEO, James Johnson, providing strategic advice across all areas of Football Australia.
Peter Filopoulos - Chief Officer for Corporate Affairs, Brand and Communications
Peter Filopoulos is a dynamic leader with over 20 years of rich experience in transforming sports and entertainment brands into powerhouses of excellence. His leadership, innovation, and strategic acumen have left indelible marks across an array of professional clubs, national and state sporting associations, major stadiums, advocacy organisations, and major events.
Known for his fearless approach to challenges and his relentless commitment to success, Peter has transformed some of Australia's most iconic brands, unlocking significant value and creating lasting impacts. His tenure as CEO, C-Suite Leader, and Board Member has seen organisations such as Perth Glory (2015 -2018), Football Victoria (2018 – 2020) and Football Australia (2020 - ) reach their peak potential.
One of Peter's most notable accomplishments as CEO of Football Victoria is his instrumental role in securing an unprecedented $400M in Government funding for Victorian community grassroots football facilities and infrastructure, including the creation of the $116M "The Home of the Matildas" at La Trobe University, Melbourne – the largest football-specific infrastructure project in Australia’s history.
As Chief Commercial Officer at Swimming Australia (2014 – 2015), Peter's forward-thinking leadership steered the Australian "Dolphins" Swim Team's rebranding and as Head of Sales, Marketing and Communications at Marvel Stadium (2007 – 2014), was the drive behind the innovative $20M connected stadium strategy. He has also successfully negotiated multimillion-dollar commercial and sponsorship arrangements across various roles, reflecting his acumen and the breadth of his professional network.
His influence and expertise extend beyond the sporting field. He has served as a board member at Vicsport, and as an ambassador as a Change Our Game Champion with the Office of Women and Sport & Active Recreation. Additionally, he was invited to join Cisco's prestigious Sports, Media, and Entertainment Global Customer Advisory Board and was selected for the elite FIFA Executive Program in 2022.
Renowned for his passion for innovation, business transformation, customer growth, and operational excellence, Peter consistently delivers ground-breaking results. His reputation for bridging the gap between business, government, and sport, coupled with his extensive industry network, has made him an invaluable asset in the sports and entertainment sector.
Today, as a key member of the executive leadership team at Football Australia, in the role of Head of Marketing, Communications and Corporate Affairs, Peter continues to inspire teams towards achieving sustainable growth. His unwavering commitment to success and passion for making the impossible possible are testaments to his remarkable leadership.
Peter is more than a successful executive; he is a visionary who is reshaping the future of the sports and entertainment industry.
Mel Mallam - General Counsel
Mel joined Football Australia in October 2022 as General Counsel leading the Legal, Regulatory, Integrity and Compliance functions for Football Australia. Mel joins Football Australia after almost 16 years in Switzerland. She is a highly accomplished and dynamic legal professional with over 20 years of experience in the sports, media, and technology sectors. With a strong background in providing strategic commercial business advice, Mel has established herself as a trusted expert in the field.
Throughout her career, Mel has developed a significant understanding of the intricacies of the sports industry, particularly football, at all levels. She is well-versed in the intricacies of conducting the business of football and tackling the daily challenges faced by the sport having previously been a commercial legal counsel at FIFA and sat on the board of Capital Football in addition to her roles as Head of Legal for Swiss luxury watchmaker, Breitling, and General Counsel for global technology companies Parallels and Beekeeper. Her experience spans various aspects, including broadcast and media rights, sponsorship and marketing rights, event hosting, technology and software product services, and the use, development, and distribution of applications, data, and digital content.
Mel's hands-on approach, coupled with her ability to simplify complex matters, has garnered her a reputation for making the complex simple. She possesses a keen sense of commercial business acumen and approaches legal matters with a positive, collaborative, and solution-oriented mindset. Her ability to manage legal departments in high-growth and high-pressure environments, coupled with her "think outside the box" approach, has contributed to her success.
Mel Mallam is admitted to practice law in New South Wales, Queensland, and the Australian Capital Territory. As a native English speaker, Mel also possesses business proficiency in German (B2 level) and in addition to her LLB, holds a LLM in International Law.
Ernie Merrick - Chief Football Officer
Ernie Merrick is an esteemed figure in the world of football, known for his vast experience and expertise in the sport. He currently serves as the Chief Football Officer of Football Australia, a position he assumed in 2022.
Merrick was born on January 15, 1953, in Edinburgh, Scotland, and began his football career as a player for Shettleston Juniors (now known as Glasgow United) semi-professional team in Glasgow. He moved to Australia in 1975 to play for Frankston City. In 1979 he transferred to Doveton City as a player initially before turning his focus to coaching and quickly established himself as a successful manager.
Merrick signed as Head Coach of Preston in the National Soccer League in 1987 and finished the season second on the league ladder.
Following a short stint as Head Coach of George Cross in the NSL Merrick became the inaugural coach of the Victorian Institute of Sport Football Program.
In 2005, he was appointed as the head coach of Melbourne Victory in the Australian A-League. During his time with the Victory, he led the team to two A-League championships and two Premiership titles, cementing his reputation as one of the best coaches in the league. In addition to his success with the Victory, Merrick has also coached several other teams in Australia and New Zealand, including Wellington Phoenix and Newcastle Jets.
Merrick's achievements and contributions to football have not gone unnoticed. He has been recognised with numerous awards and accolades, including being awarded the Order of Australia Medal [OAM] in 2014 for services to football.
As the Chief Football Officer of Football Australia, Merrick is responsible for overseeing the development and growth of football in the country. His vast experience and knowledge make him a valuable asset to the organisation, and he is committed to helping Australian football reach new heights.
Gary Moretti - Head of National Teams
Gary Moretti is a distinguished football professional with a rich history in international football competition and event management. As the Head of National Teams at Football Australia, Gary brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role, having worked with prominent organisations such as FIFA, AFC, OFC, FFA, and Qatar 2022.
Gary's career highlights include his involvement in multiple FIFA World Cups, starting as a FIFA Media Manager in Ibaraki, Japan, for the 2002 tournament and most recently serving as the FIFA Head of Competition Management. His contributions have been pivotal in the operational success of these global events, showcasing his exceptional skills in match scheduling, event management, and stakeholder coordination.
At Football Australia, Gary's first tournament support was at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, where he provided media support. He played a significant role as an FA media officer during the Socceroos' historic 31-0 win over American Samoa and worked as the FA Media Manager during the Socceroos' challenging loss against Uruguay in 2001. Gary also served as the FA Team Manager for various national teams, including the U-23s at the 2004 Olympic tournament in Greece and the Socceroos during their successful 2005 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign.
Gary's involvement extends to the AFC, where he worked as a Match Commissioner for the Competitions Department from 2009 to 2013. He has also contributed to the development of FIFA's youth World Cup strategy and played a key role in organizing the expanded Mundial de Clubes 2025 and the 48-team FIFA World Cup 2026.
With his extensive background in football competition and events, Gary is a highly communicative, well-organized, and results-driven leader. He is focused on providing the highest standard of administrative, operational, and technical support to football events and competition operations. Gary's leadership and expertise will undoubtedly contribute to the continued growth and success of football in Australia.
Tom Rischbieth - Chief Revenue Officer
Tom Rischbieth joined Football Australia in March 2020, as a commercial leader with international experience across sport, entertainment and media, and engagement with stakeholders across the public and private sectors.
As Chief Revenue Officer, Tom sits on the Executive Leadership Team at Football Australia, responsible for the organisation's commercial revenue and business development pursuits.
In his time at Football Australia, Tom has led and delivered significant new commercial partnerships, including but not limited to Commonwealth Bank, Subway, Nike, LEGO, Cupra, rebel, Cadbury, MILO and major media rights relationships with 10 Paramount and The Walt Disney Company.
He, alongside an incredibly passionate and dedicated workforce, has also overseen the delivery of live international football matches in Australia post-pandemic. This involved working intimately with government, stadia, footballing federations and other major event stakeholders.
The pinnacle moment in Tom’s career to date was the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023, a truly culture-shifting and record-obliterating tournament.
Tom is proud to work for and be supported by an incredible team at Football Australia, which governs the game and is charged with its growth and development in Australia and beyond. Working in the world's largest sport and within the governing framework of FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation and FIFA, Tom regularly deals with both domestic and international matters.
Tom joined Football Australia after seven years working in a consultancy in England for clients as diverse as the Rolling Stones, World Surf League, Kelly Slater Wave Company, Williams F1, The Jockey Club, The Grand Tour on Amazon Prime, South Australian government, Dubai government, Surrey County Cricket Club and a number of sports technology and financing businesses.
Tom is a proud South Australian and co-founded The Mullagh Group while in London, a networking and support group for Australian expats working in the sports industry.
Sarah Walsh - Head of AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ 2026 Office
A values-led sports executive, spearheading football's national Legacy'23 plan, an inclusive strategy aimed at leveraging the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™.
In her role as Head of Women's Football, Women's World Cup Legacy & Inclusion at Football Australia, Sarah leads a team that is squarely focused on driving long-lasting social and economic change for football, working with key stakeholders, in football, all levels of government, and the corporate sector to achieve this.
As an athlete for 20 years, and former CommBank Matilda, Sarah represented Australia at football’s top tier, including at the 2004 Olympic Games, the 2006 and 2010 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, and the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2007.
Beyond Sarah’s professional playing career, she transferred the skills developed as an athlete, into leadership roles in football, accumulating extensive experience in driving gender equity in governance. Sarah is qualified in driving high-performing teams and building frameworks that create more inclusive environments for grassroots and elite-level sports.
As an agent of change, Sarah brings unique and progressive insights, adopting a results-driven approach to business, with people at the centre of all decisions.
Caroline Veitch - Chief Financial Officer
Caroline Veitch has held prominent senior executive roles at Lion, KPMG, and Endeavour Group, where she has led and developed high-performing finance teams. Her extensive career spans the full spectrum of Finance, complemented by her strategic, consulting, change management, and HR expertise. Her unique combination of commercial and corporate roles, along with her ability to deliver results, implement change, and drive strategy through cross-functional collaboration, makes her a natural and engaging leader.