AFL Commission
Encyclopedia
The AFL Commission is the official governing body
of the Australian Football League
(AFL), the elite national Australian rules football
competition.
The AFL Commission is responsible for the administration of the competition and its constitution
proclaims it as the "keeper of the code", the body universally responsible for the sport of Australian Football. Since forming in 1985, the AFL Commission has become increasingly wealthy and powerful and has had control of the sport in Australia
since 1993 and international
ly since 2005.
There are eight members that comprise the AFL Commission who are elected by the 16 AFL clubs, with each club entitled to make nominations.
In 1993 the AFL Commission assumed national governance of the sport (see Principle 2 below) following the earlier disbanding of the Australian National Football Council. At the same time, control of the AFL passed from the AFL Board of Directors (effectively the 16 AFL clubs) to the Commission http://www.footy.com.au/dags/FAQ2v1-5.html, with the abolition of the Board of Directors and adoption of new Memorandum and Articles of Association for the AFL. This was a significant change of power as previously the Commission required explicit approval by the League (teams) for major items, such as further Expansion, Mergers, Relocations, Major Capital Works and similar items. The AFL also created an International Policy in 2005 in an attempt to govern the sport worldwide.
In its role as national and international governing body, the AFL Commission also controls and delegates development funding for Australian state and international bodies and leagues. As most of this funding is sourced the revenue and activities associated with the AFL competition, much of the funding is directed to the competition's developing markets. Semi-professional state competitions are generally self-sufficient and receive a much lower percentage of the AFL's funding.
s for members which currently consists of a chairman whose role is to oversee meetings and a Chief executive officer
who typically also oversees the operations of the Australian Football League.
Commissioners are elected by the 16 AFL clubs, who each are entitled to make nominations. Should an election be necessary, then the membership is decided by a vote of the AFL clubs. Under the current constitution, member clubs have the power to veto
commission decisions only with over 75% of votes.
In 2006, the Commission approved a $2.1 million special financial assistance package for the Carlton Football Club
. Later the same year it threatened to withdraw North Melbourne's funding if it did not move to the Gold Coast.
In response to clubs increasingly relying on and applying for special funding in 2008, the Commission recommended removing the fund altogether. However after considerable club protests led by struggling clubs Western Bulldogs
, Melbourne Football Club
and North Melbourne, CEO Andrew Demetriou announced that the ASD would remain. In early 2009 it increased the Melbourne Football Club
's assistance from $250,000 to A$1 million and later made a A$1 million grant to the Port Adelaide Football Club
Sport governing body
A sport governing body is a sports organization that has a regulatory or sanctioning function. Sport governing bodies come in various forms, and have a variety of regulatory functions. Examples of this can include disciplinary action for rule infractions and deciding on rule changes in the sport...
of the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
(AFL), the elite national Australian rules football
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
competition.
The AFL Commission is responsible for the administration of the competition and its constitution
Constitution
A constitution is a set of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is governed. These rules together make up, i.e. constitute, what the entity is...
proclaims it as the "keeper of the code", the body universally responsible for the sport of Australian Football. Since forming in 1985, the AFL Commission has become increasingly wealthy and powerful and has had control of the sport in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
since 1993 and international
International
----International mostly means something that involves more than one country. The term international as a word means involvement of, interaction between or encompassing more than one nation, or generally beyond national boundaries...
ly since 2005.
There are eight members that comprise the AFL Commission who are elected by the 16 AFL clubs, with each club entitled to make nominations.
National and International Game Development
The Commission was formed to set policy and has directed the AFL (known then as the VFL), the game's most professional league in December 1985.In 1993 the AFL Commission assumed national governance of the sport (see Principle 2 below) following the earlier disbanding of the Australian National Football Council. At the same time, control of the AFL passed from the AFL Board of Directors (effectively the 16 AFL clubs) to the Commission http://www.footy.com.au/dags/FAQ2v1-5.html, with the abolition of the Board of Directors and adoption of new Memorandum and Articles of Association for the AFL. This was a significant change of power as previously the Commission required explicit approval by the League (teams) for major items, such as further Expansion, Mergers, Relocations, Major Capital Works and similar items. The AFL also created an International Policy in 2005 in an attempt to govern the sport worldwide.
In its role as national and international governing body, the AFL Commission also controls and delegates development funding for Australian state and international bodies and leagues. As most of this funding is sourced the revenue and activities associated with the AFL competition, much of the funding is directed to the competition's developing markets. Semi-professional state competitions are generally self-sufficient and receive a much lower percentage of the AFL's funding.
Organisation Structure and Members
The AFL Commission has a simple structure. There are formal corporate titleCorporate title
Publicly and privately held for-profit corporations confer corporate titles or business titles on company officials as a means of identifying their function in the organization...
s for members which currently consists of a chairman whose role is to oversee meetings and a Chief executive officer
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
who typically also oversees the operations of the Australian Football League.
Commissioners are elected by the 16 AFL clubs, who each are entitled to make nominations. Should an election be necessary, then the membership is decided by a vote of the AFL clubs. Under the current constitution, member clubs have the power to veto
Veto
A veto, Latin for "I forbid", is the power of an officer of the state to unilaterally stop an official action, especially enactment of a piece of legislation...
commission decisions only with over 75% of votes.
Current Membership
Current membership of the Commission is:| Name | Current Role | Appointed |
|---|---|---|
| Mike Fitzpatrick | Chairman | 2007 |
| Andrew Demetriou Andrew Demetriou Andrew Demetriou is the chief executive officer of the Australian Football League and a former Australian rules footballer. He is the youngest son of Greek-Cypriot immigrants and, before becoming a VFL player, he worked in the dental import industry... |
Chief Executive Officer | 2003 |
| Colin Carter OAM Order of Australia The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"... |
Non Executive | 1993 |
| Bill Kelty Bill Kelty William John "Bill" Kelty, AC is an Australian trade unionist and a well-known figure in the Australian labour movement, who served as Secretary of the Australian Council of Trade Unions from 1983 to 2000.... |
Non Executive | 1998 |
| Chris Langford Chris Langford Chris Langford is a former professional Australian rules footballer who is currently a game administrator.Langford is best known for his 303 game career for the Hawthorn Hawks between 1983 and 1997. He captained the club in the 1994 season and earned All-Australian selection. It was his second... |
Non Executive Commissioner | 1999 |
| Graeme John Graeme John Graeme John was Managing Director of Australia Post from 1993 to 2009. From 1990 was Australia Post's Chief Manager of National Operations.... AO Order of Australia The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"... |
Non Executive | 2000 |
| Bob Hammond Bob Hammond Robert 'Bob' Hammond is a former Australian rules footballer who played for North Adelaide and Norwood in the South Australian National Football League during the 1960s and early 1970s. He later served as coach of the Sydney Swans in the Victorian Football League .Hammond played his early football... AM Order of Australia The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"... |
Non Executive | 2001 |
| Linda Dessau Linda Dessau Justice Linda Dessau is a judge of the Family Court of Australia. She was appointed to the bench in 1995.She started the Essendon Women's Network in 1997. She was appointed to the AFL Commission in November 2007.... |
Non Executive | 2007 |
| Sam Mostyn | Non Executive | 2005 |
| Christopher Lynch | Non Executive | 2008 |
Chief Executive Officers
- Andrew Demetriou (2003-)
- Wayne Jackson (1996–2003)
- Ross OakleyRoss OakleyRoss Oakley is an Australian businessman and former Australian rules footballer with St Kilda in the VFL. He is CEO of the Victorian Rugby Union and was appointed CEO of the new the Melbourne Rebels rugby union franchise in September 2010.-Playing career:Oakley attended Wesley College, Melbourne ...
(1994–1996)
Chairmen
- Mike Fitzpatrick (2007-)
- Ron Evans AMOrder of AustraliaThe Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(1997–2007) - John Kennedy, Sr. (1993–1997)
- Ross OakleyRoss OakleyRoss Oakley is an Australian businessman and former Australian rules footballer with St Kilda in the VFL. He is CEO of the Victorian Rugby Union and was appointed CEO of the new the Melbourne Rebels rugby union franchise in September 2010.-Playing career:Oakley attended Wesley College, Melbourne ...
(1986–1993)
Commissioners
- Linda Dessau (2009-)
- Christopher Lynch (2009-)
- Sam Mostyn (2005-)
- Andrew Demetriou (2004-)
- Mike Fitzpatrick (2003-)
- Bob Hammond (2001-)
- Graeme John (2001-)
- Chris Langford (1999-)
- Bill Kelty (1998-)
- David ShawDavid Shaw (Australian footballer)David Shaw is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Essendon in the VFL during the 1960s.University Blues recruit David Shaw was a versatile player and made his senior debut in 1959...
(1997–1998) - Craig Kimberley (1997–1998)
- Wayne Jackson (1995–2003)
- Colin Carter (1993–2007)
- Terry O’ConnorTerry O’ConnorTerry O'Connor may refer to:*Terry O'Connor *Terry O'Connor *Terence O'Connor, British politician*Terry O'Connor...
(1993–2000) - John Kennedy, Sr. (1993–1997)
- John WinnekeJohn WinnekeJohn Spence Winneke AC, RFD, QC, RANR is a former judge of the Supreme Court of Victoria and the President of the Court of Appeals division of the Supreme Court of Victoria, which is the highest ranking court in the Australian State of Victoria.-Early life:John Spence Winneke was born to Sir Henry...
(1993–1994) - Michael Carlile (1991–1992)
- Albert Mantello (1988–1992)
- Ross Oakley (1986–1996)
- Graeme SamuelGraeme SamuelGraeme Julian Samuel AC is an Australian businessman. He is currently works as chairman of the Melbourne office of investment bank Greenhill Caliburn, and is a member of the Australian National University Council...
AOOrder of AustraliaThe Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(1985–2002) - Peter Scanlon (1985–1992)
- Peter NixonPeter NixonPeter James Nixon AO is a former Australian politician representing the National Party ....
(1985–1990) - Richard Seddon (1985–1987)
Club and Competition Intervention
The AFL Commission has also become involved in Australian Football League matters on occasion that the league causes on-field or off-field, sometimes in controversial circumstances.On the field
- 2006 Aurora Stadium Siren ControversyAFL siren controversy, 2006The AFL siren controversy of 2006 surrounded the conclusion and result of an Australian rules football match played on 30 April 2006 during Round 5 of the Australian Football League's 2006 season...
- investigated the disputed finish to the St. Kilda vs. Fremantle match played at Aurora StadiumAurora StadiumYork Park is a sports ground in the Inveresk and York Park Precinct, Launceston, Australia. Holding 20,000 people—more than any other stadium in Tasmania—York Park has been known as Aurora Stadium under a six-year naming rights agreement signed with Aurora Energy in 2004...
on 30 April 2006. The result was that the AFL commission overturned the drawn result to award FremantleFremantle Football ClubThe Fremantle Football Club, nicknamed The Dockers, is an Australian rules football team which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in the port city of Fremantle at the mouth of the Swan River in Western Australia...
four premiership points instead of two.
Off the field
The commission has become involved when players bring the game into disrepute, including:- 2007 investigation into the West Coast EaglesWest Coast EaglesThe West Coast Eagles are an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League. The club is based in Perth, Western Australia. The club was founded in 1986 and played its first games in the 1987 season. Its current home ground is Subiaco Oval...
off-field culture - including Ben CousinsBen CousinsBenjamin Luke "Ben" Cousins is a former Australian rules footballer, best known for his 270-game career with and in the Australian Football League ....
rehabilitation from drug addiction, Daniel KerrDaniel KerrDaniel Matthew Kerr is an Australian rules footballer.Kerr was recruited from East Fremantle Football Club and made his AFL debut in 2001 with the West Coast Eagles. He is a hard-running midfielder who is a vital part of the midfield at the Eagles.-Background:Kerr is of Anglo-Indian descent...
's criminal charges and the hospitalisation of Chad FletcherChad FletcherChad Fletcher is an Australian rules footballer who played for the West Coast Eagles in the Australian Football League .-Early career:...
on the Las VegasLas Vegas StripThe Las Vegas Strip is an approximately stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard in Clark County, Nevada; adjacent to, but outside the city limits of Las Vegas proper. The Strip lies within the unincorporated townships of Paradise and Winchester...
after choking on his own vomit.
Expansion
The AFL Commission has an ongoing role in undertaking assessments of expansion clubs and awarding new licences including:- Gold Coast Football Club (Commission owns a stake in new club)
- Greater Western Sydney Football Club (Commission owns a stake in new club)
- Tasmanian AFL BidTasmanian AFL BidThe bid to establish an Australian Football League team in the state of Tasmania has been ongoing, with fluctuating levels of support, since the then-Victorian Football League began its national expansion in the 1980s and 1990s....
and the 2009 Senate of Australia enquiry
Member Club Viability
The AFL Commission manages a special fund called the Competitive Balance Fund (CBF) since 2004 as a grant of up to A$5 million per club to ensure that member clubs remain financially viable. The system was later changed to the Annual Special Distribution (ASD) of A$6.3 million shared among all clubs as well as allowing for grants and special concessions, such as payments to ensure that AFL member clubs remain viable in the short term including.In 2006, the Commission approved a $2.1 million special financial assistance package for the Carlton Football Club
Carlton Football Club
The Carlton Football Club is a professional Australian rules football club based in Melbourne, Victoria. The club competes in the Australian Football League, and was one of the eight founding members of that competition in 1897...
. Later the same year it threatened to withdraw North Melbourne's funding if it did not move to the Gold Coast.
In response to clubs increasingly relying on and applying for special funding in 2008, the Commission recommended removing the fund altogether. However after considerable club protests led by struggling clubs Western Bulldogs
Western Bulldogs
The Western Bulldogs are an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based at the Whitten Oval in West Footscray, an inner-western suburb of Melbourne...
, Melbourne Football Club
Melbourne Football Club
The Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Demons, is an Australian rules football club playing in the Australian Football League , based in Melbourne, Victoria....
and North Melbourne, CEO Andrew Demetriou announced that the ASD would remain. In early 2009 it increased the Melbourne Football Club
Melbourne Football Club
The Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Demons, is an Australian rules football club playing in the Australian Football League , based in Melbourne, Victoria....
's assistance from $250,000 to A$1 million and later made a A$1 million grant to the Port Adelaide Football Club
Port Adelaide Football Club
The Port Adelaide Football Club is an Australian rules football club based in Alberton, South Australia, which plays in the Australian Football League and the South Australian National Football League...