(Part 1 of 2)

James Kitching joins Green & Gold FC for a fascinating deep dive into the inner workings of global football governance, the transfer system, and what Australian football must do to grow.

As the first Australian to reach director level at FIFA, James reflects on his journey from grassroots club admin in Adelaide to senior roles at the AFC and FIFA, sharing insights into how the global game really operates behind the scenes. He also tackles the big questions around governance, integrity, political power inside football institutions, and why good people inside the system matter.

The conversation then turns to one of the biggest issues facing the Australian game: the transfer market. James explains why Australian clubs receive such a tiny share of global transfer revenue, why our players are consistently undervalued, and what practical reforms could help clubs like Perth Glory and Brisbane Roar become far more successful in producing and selling talent.

This is a wide-ranging episode on football politics, player development, Australian football’s place in the world, and the structural changes needed to build a stronger future for the game here.

Part 2 drops next week, where we discuss FIFA eligibility rules, dual nationals, diaspora recruitment, Congress reform, and the deeper governance issues shaping Australian football.

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