Matthew Graham

Head of World Players Association at UNI Global Union

Nyon, Vaud, Switzerland

About

Matthew is a Switzerland-based, Australian labour lawyer, who has worked for World Players Association, a sector of UNI Global Union, since 2017. Holding a Master’s of International Labour Law, he focuses on building player association power and ensuring the rights of players as workers – and people – are respected, protected and upheld in global sport’s governance and institutions. Matthew has played a key role in achieving important reforms to the World Anti-Doping Code; securing acknowledgement that athlete rights are worker rights at the International Labour Organization (ILO); and played a leading role in supporting the player association response to the Covid-19 pandemic. He has significantly expanded best practice sharing between player associations in key areas such as organizing and bargaining, commercialization and innovation, and women’s sport.

Experience

  • UNI Global Union (8 yrs 8 mos)
    • Head of UNI World Players Association
      Apr 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 3 mos

    • Interim Executive Director, World Players Association
      May 2023 - Apr 2024 · 1 yr

    • Director of Legal & Player Relations, World Players Association
      May 2021 - May 2023 · 2 yrs 1 mo

  • Independent Consultant at Various
    Jan 2015 - Aug 2017 · 2 yrs 8 mos

    Provided legal advice and consultancy services to a top tier law firms, NFPs and leading academic institutions. Engagements included Clifford Chance, Simmons & Simmons, Slaughter & May, the Centre for Sports Law Research, the University of Amsterdam and contractual disputes in the English Premier League.

  • Solicitor at Maurice Blackburn Lawyers
    Sep 2011 - Aug 2013 · 2 yrs

  • Solicitor at Simon Walters
    Sep 2009 - Apr 2011 · 1 yr 8 mos