AFL Players Association
Encyclopedia
The AFL Players Association, or AFLPA, is the representative body for all current and past professional Australian Football League
players.
The AFLPA promotes and protects its members through initiatives including workplace relations and advocacy, career development and various community events.
Players welfare is the primary function of AFLPA, and it aims to ensure the sustainability and integrity of the game by investing in the personal development of past, present and future AFL footballers.
Established in its current from in 1974, the AFL Players Association provides a means for the AFL and Clubs to consult with players, and as a lobbying group for players, in the making and implementation of rules and other issues affecting AFL players.
The current CEO of the AFLPA is Matthew Finnis.
(VFL) players was first attempted in 1955. The VFL successfully opposed the registration http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~db=all~content=a911283648 of this body and the fledgling union was disbanded.
The AFLPA in its current form was established in 1974 at the behest of players Geoff Pryor
(Essendon), Gareth Andrews
(Geelong), Des Meagher
(Hawthorn) and David McKay
(Carlton). In 1979, the association appointed three key positions to lead the organisation:
At this point, the only source of funding was the annual $35 membership fee.
In 1981, a pre-season match between Essendon
and Fitzroy
was threatened with strike action by the association over the VFL’s non-recognition of the body. The VFL halted the proposed strike by agreeing to recognise the association as the negotiating body for all players http://3degree.ecu.edu.au/articles/188.
Peter Allen
In 1984, Bryan Roberts resigned. Len Coysh left one year later.
Peter Allen remained to run the association and stayed committed to the cause for two decades before resigning to head the AFL Coaches Association until his death in June 2007 http://www.afl.com.au/Default.aspx?tabid=208&newsId=48939.
(AFL). The AFLPA followed suit, and signed its first Collective Bargaining
Agreement (CBA) in tumultuous circumstances, as it worked through the negotiation process with the AFL. The CBA was eventually finalised and called a Deed of Agreement.
In July 1992, the AFLPA negotiated a new CBA, which included a minimum salary of $7,500, minimum payments of $750 per senior game, and $250 for a reserves game. This signified the start of what was to be a key feature of AFLPA's function.
The AFL had informed players that the standard contract would no longer exist and that all contracts would be negotiated individually between the clubs and the players. The players again threatened strike action.
In March 1993, the AFL and AFLPA appeared before the Australian Industrial Relations Commission
(AIRC). At this hearing it was determined that a dispute between the parties did exist and that the AIRC had jurisdiction to determine an Award. The AFL and AFLPA were instructed by the AIRC to attempt negotiations away from the AIRC environment. These negotiations led to the CBA of 1994-1995.
By this time, 99 per cent of all AFL players were members of the association.
In 1998, the association underwent significant change. Long-serving president Justin Madden
retired from football, and Fremantle
’s Peter Mann
took over the presidency. Peter Allen resigned as CEO after a twenty year involvement. Former North Melbourne
and Hawthorn player
, Andrew Demetriou
, was appointed as the new CEO.
, was appointed as the new CEO. The new administration set about examining the views and wishes of players so that they could negotiate a new CBA (1998–2003) with the AFL.
The new administration set about examining the views and wishes of players so that they could negotiate a new CBA (1998–2003) with the AFL. The association developed a statement of purposes and objectives to assist with CBA negotiations. An advisory board of industry leaders was also assembled to direct the association into the future.
The new objectives and purposes focused on the need to enhance the game of Australian football and ensure that players played a strong role in the development of the game, received fair terms and conditions, and were apportioned an equitable share of revenue.
Through player feedback the association was able to identify the following key areas as its chart for the future:
In 1998, the AFLPA achieved a membership of 100 per cent for the first time in its history.
In late 2006, the AFLPA opened up a new membership category allowing past VFL / AFL players to become members of the AFLPA.
left the AFLPA to join the AFL
, Dr Robert Kerr became AFLPA CEO, taking up the position in June 2000. Previously, Rob had been the AFLPA's Executive Director (Player Development). A significant focus for the AFLPA at this time was to implement the player support programs and ensure that the shift to full-time professionalism was balanced by efforts to prepare players for life after football.
In 2003, a new CBA was negotiated between the AFLPA and the AFL. The key principles for the Collective Bargaining Agreement (2003–2008) reflected a responsible attempt to balance the interests of the players with the realities facing the competition.
took over from Peter Mann as General Manager (Football).
Following that, CEO Dr Robert Kerr announced his resignation to the AFLPA Executive Committee after five years of service. Former Richmond player, AFLPA President and AFLPA General Manager (Football) Brendon Gale
then took over the role as AFLPA CEO.
Matthew is a former sports lawyer sports with Lander & Rogers, advising sport and recreation organisations on insurance requirements, risk management and associated liability issues. In addition to that, he was the Sponsorship Services Manager for the "SunSmart" and "Quit" campaigns following his work as a sporting administrator in basketball, sailing and surf lifesaving.
In 2006, a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (2007–2011) was negotiated with the AFL. The key principles of the five year agreement focused on delivering stability and opportunity, ahead of a crucial period where the game will push for unprecedented national growth.
(MCG), was attended by draftees from each of the 17 AFL teams including newly formed Gold Coast Suns. Some of the topics covered were:
The Camp consists of a variety of workshops that includes:
Upon completion of the Camp, the All-Stars Indigenous team play against an AFL club in an exhibition game. The All-Stars have played Carlton
(2003), Western Bulldogs
(2005) and Essendon
(2007). The 2011 team featured a star studded line-up of the AFL’s top Indigenous players including Indigenous All-Stars captain and Sydney Swans
co-captain Adam Goodes
, Hawthorn
’s Lance Franklin
and Cyril Rioli
, Melbourne
’s Liam Jurrah
and new draftees including Curtly Hampton from the GWS Giants and recently named Gold Coast Suns
recruit Harley Bennell
. Due to unsuitable playing conditions being brought on by heavy rain and Cyclone Yasi
, the 2011 team was unable to play against Richmond
despite having the match moved from TIO Stadium in Darwin to Traeger Park Oval in Alice Springs.
(2001), Ben Cousins
(2005), three-time winner Gary Ablett
(2007, 2008 and 2009) and Dane Swan
(2010)
The AFLPA launched the Madden Medal in 2007 to annually recognise the achievements and contributions of retiring AFL players through four award categories: Football Achievement Award, Personal Development Award, Community Spirit Award and the top accolade, the Madden Medal.
The most recent winner of the Madden Medal is retired Swans captain, Brett Kirk
(2010).
was appointed ambassador for the partnership. Together with football legend David Parkin
, OUA General Manager Cratis Hippocrates and AFL Players Association (AFLPA) CEO Matt Finnis, Nick launched the sponsorship at the MCG. Nick said in an interview that he values education and that it is important to invest in education while he is playing footy.
Benefits of the agreement:
As an active participant in the EAFU program, The University of New South Wales (UNSW) has a number of Sydney Swans players on its books. Swans players Ted Richards, Dan Hannebery, Daniel Currie, Josh Kennedy and Nick Smith are all enrolled at the UNSW studying towards Bachelor Degrees in Economics (Smith and Hannebery), Commerce (Richards and Kennedy) and Health and Exercise Science (Currie).
, awards young players who have shown a combination of football & academic excellence.
and rugby- that conducts out-of-competition testing. Although the code has drawn criticism from the Federal Government for its three-strikes policy, it received commendations from others citing it as a "prospect of rehabilitation and caters for medical confidentiality"
with his Accelerate program which provided a unique opportunity for 20 young men rejected by the AFL draft the first time around by putting together an infrastructure of expertise in a bid to keep the game’s most talented second-tier players from 18 to 23 in the correct physical and emotional state to win a second chance.
In partnership with sports consulting group Infront, three major sponsors and the AFLPA's support, Rock was able to set up partnerships with seven VFL clubs and is working with 20 footballers hoping to be drafted.
From the end of the 2012 season, any player who is delisted will automatically become a Free Agent
, eligible to sign with any AFL Club [10]. Players who have 8 years with an AFL club will be eligible to become Free Agents when they are coming out of contract.
The introduction of Free Agency does not affect the salary cap
, draft system, list sizes or revenue sharing
.
In an interview with the ABC, the interviewer said that the Etihad Stadium issue is "like the sore that keeps festering all the time", addressing to Matthew Finnis the importance of confronting and dealing with the issue. Matthew emphasized that "player welfare is our primary concern", and asserts AFLPA's ongoing commitment to represent its members.
FINANCE: General Manager - Finance & Administration: John Hogan
PLAYER DEVELOPMENT
WORKPLACE RELATIONS & ADVOCACY
LADDER:
COMMUNICATIONS:
EVENTS: Events Manager, Leanne French
Ben Rutten / Brad Moran
BRISBANE
Troy Selwood / Jonathan Brown
CARLTON
Brad Fisher / Michael Jamison
COLLINGWOOD
Harry O'Brien / Nathan Brown
ESSENDON
Brent Stanton / Jason Winderlich
FREMANTLE
Aaron Sandilands / Paul Duffield
GEELONG
Jimmy Bartel / Joel Selwood
HAWTHORN
Xavier Ellis
MELBOURNE
Cameron Bruce / Matthew Warnock
NORTH MELBOURNE
Andrew Swallow
PORT ADELAIDE
Troy Chaplin / Domenic Cassisi
RICHMOND
Daniel Jackson / Mitch Morton
ST KILDA
Jason Blake / Leigh Montagna
SYDNEY
Jude Bolton / Ted Richards
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Daniel Giansiracusa / Will Minson
WEST COAST
Brett Jones / Adam Selwood
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
players.
The AFLPA promotes and protects its members through initiatives including workplace relations and advocacy, career development and various community events.
Players welfare is the primary function of AFLPA, and it aims to ensure the sustainability and integrity of the game by investing in the personal development of past, present and future AFL footballers.
Established in its current from in 1974, the AFL Players Association provides a means for the AFL and Clubs to consult with players, and as a lobbying group for players, in the making and implementation of rules and other issues affecting AFL players.
The current CEO of the AFLPA is Matthew Finnis.
History
The formation of a representative body for Victorian Football LeagueVictorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
(VFL) players was first attempted in 1955. The VFL successfully opposed the registration http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~db=all~content=a911283648 of this body and the fledgling union was disbanded.
The AFLPA in its current form was established in 1974 at the behest of players Geoff Pryor
Geoff Pryor (footballer)
Geoffrey Gordon Stephen Pryor is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon in the VFL during the late 1960s and early 1970s....
(Essendon), Gareth Andrews
Gareth Andrews
Gareth Andrews is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Geelong and Richmond in the Victorian Football League .Andrews attended Geelong College; and, as a schoolboy, he had a strong mark but awkward kicking style...
(Geelong), Des Meagher
Des Meagher
Des Meagher was an Australian rules footballer who played with Hawthorn in the Victorian Football League .Meagher was a left footed wingman and was recruited to Hawthorn from Old Xaverians. He debuted for Hawthorn in 1966 and such was his swift rise that by the following season he was playing...
(Hawthorn) and David McKay
David McKay (footballer)
David McKay is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the Carlton Blues during the 1970s.In 1970, in just his second season of VFL football McKay won a premiership with Carlton and was voted as best on ground in the Grand Final. Originally from Newlyn, he was also part of winning...
(Carlton). In 1979, the association appointed three key positions to lead the organisation:
- Peter Allen, Administration, Marketing and Public Relations
- Len Coysh, Industrial Relations
- Bryan Roberts, Legal
At this point, the only source of funding was the annual $35 membership fee.
Fight for recognition
In late 1980, the VFL withdrew recognition of the AFLPA, effectively leaving the players without a negotiating body.In 1981, a pre-season match between Essendon
Essendon Football Club
The Essendon Football Club, nicknamed The Bombers, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
and Fitzroy
Fitzroy Football Club
The Fitzroy Football Club, formerly nicknamed The Lions, is an Australian rules football club formed in 1883 to represent the inner Melbourne suburb of Fitzroy, Victoria and was a foundation member club of the Victorian Football League on its inception in 1897...
was threatened with strike action by the association over the VFL’s non-recognition of the body. The VFL halted the proposed strike by agreeing to recognise the association as the negotiating body for all players http://3degree.ecu.edu.au/articles/188.
Peter Allen
In 1984, Bryan Roberts resigned. Len Coysh left one year later.
Peter Allen remained to run the association and stayed committed to the cause for two decades before resigning to head the AFL Coaches Association until his death in June 2007 http://www.afl.com.au/Default.aspx?tabid=208&newsId=48939.
Getting organised
By 1990, the VFL had renamed itself the Australian Football LeagueAustralian 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 AFLPA followed suit, and signed its first Collective Bargaining
Collective bargaining
Collective bargaining is a process of negotiations between employers and the representatives of a unit of employees aimed at reaching agreements that regulate working conditions...
Agreement (CBA) in tumultuous circumstances, as it worked through the negotiation process with the AFL. The CBA was eventually finalised and called a Deed of Agreement.
In July 1992, the AFLPA negotiated a new CBA, which included a minimum salary of $7,500, minimum payments of $750 per senior game, and $250 for a reserves game. This signified the start of what was to be a key feature of AFLPA's function.
Industrial turmoil
The AFL withdrew recognition of the association in January 1993, prompting a historic meeting of players at the Radisson Hotel in Melbourne.The AFL had informed players that the standard contract would no longer exist and that all contracts would be negotiated individually between the clubs and the players. The players again threatened strike action.
In March 1993, the AFL and AFLPA appeared before the Australian Industrial Relations Commission
Australian Industrial Relations Commission
The Australian Industrial Relations Commission, or AIRC , was a tribunal with powers under the Workplace Relations Act 1996. It was the central institution of Australian labour law...
(AIRC). At this hearing it was determined that a dispute between the parties did exist and that the AIRC had jurisdiction to determine an Award. The AFL and AFLPA were instructed by the AIRC to attempt negotiations away from the AIRC environment. These negotiations led to the CBA of 1994-1995.
Present development
In 1995, negotiations began on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. The new CBA period was from 1 November 1995 to 31 October 1998 and increased minimum salaries for season 1996 to $15,000 and match payments to $1,000 per senior game. These payments further increased to $20,000 and $1,500 in 1997, and $20,680 and $1,550 in 1998 respectively. The players gained an increase in the share of revenue from marketing activities and an increase in injury and illness benefits.By this time, 99 per cent of all AFL players were members of the association.
In 1998, the association underwent significant change. Long-serving president Justin Madden
Justin Madden
Madden was 206 cm tall, and one of the tallest men ever to play Australian Rules football, and his potential in this area was fully utilized by Carlton, who used him as their main ruckman. Over the next fifteen seasons, Madden became a mainstay of the Carlton side, and one of the most...
retired from football, and Fremantle
Fremantle Football Club
The 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...
’s Peter Mann
Peter Mann
Peter Travis Mann is a former Australian rules footballer. who played a total of 118 matches in the AFL for the North Melbourne and Fremantle Football Clubs.- Claremont, West Coast and North Melbourne :...
took over the presidency. Peter Allen resigned as CEO after a twenty year involvement. Former North Melbourne
North Melbourne Football Club
The North Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Kangaroos, is the fourth oldest Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League and is one of the oldest sporting clubs in Australia and the world...
and Hawthorn player
Hawthorn Football Club
The Hawthorn Football Club, nicknamed the Hawks, is a professional Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League . The club, founded in 1902, is the youngest of the Victorian-based teams in the AFL. The team play in Brown & Gold vertically striped guernseys...
, 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...
, was appointed as the new CEO.
Andrew Demitriou, 1998-2000
Former North Melbourne and Hawthorn player, Andrew DemetriouAndrew 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...
, was appointed as the new CEO. The new administration set about examining the views and wishes of players so that they could negotiate a new CBA (1998–2003) with the AFL.
The new administration set about examining the views and wishes of players so that they could negotiate a new CBA (1998–2003) with the AFL. The association developed a statement of purposes and objectives to assist with CBA negotiations. An advisory board of industry leaders was also assembled to direct the association into the future.
The new objectives and purposes focused on the need to enhance the game of Australian football and ensure that players played a strong role in the development of the game, received fair terms and conditions, and were apportioned an equitable share of revenue.
Through player feedback the association was able to identify the following key areas as its chart for the future:
- Player development
- Retirement
- Education and training
In 1998, the AFLPA achieved a membership of 100 per cent for the first time in its history.
In late 2006, the AFLPA opened up a new membership category allowing past VFL / AFL players to become members of the AFLPA.
Dr Robert Kerr, 2000-2004
When Andrew DemetriouAndrew 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...
left the AFLPA to join the AFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
, Dr Robert Kerr became AFLPA CEO, taking up the position in June 2000. Previously, Rob had been the AFLPA's Executive Director (Player Development). A significant focus for the AFLPA at this time was to implement the player support programs and ensure that the shift to full-time professionalism was balanced by efforts to prepare players for life after football.
In 2003, a new CBA was negotiated between the AFLPA and the AFL. The key principles for the Collective Bargaining Agreement (2003–2008) reflected a responsible attempt to balance the interests of the players with the realities facing the competition.
Brendon Gale, 2004-2009
In 2004, Brendon GaleBrendon Gale
Brendon 'Benny' Gale is an influential Australian rules football sports administrator and former player from the Australian Football League....
took over from Peter Mann as General Manager (Football).
Following that, CEO Dr Robert Kerr announced his resignation to the AFLPA Executive Committee after five years of service. Former Richmond player, AFLPA President and AFLPA General Manager (Football) Brendon Gale
Brendon Gale
Brendon 'Benny' Gale is an influential Australian rules football sports administrator and former player from the Australian Football League....
then took over the role as AFLPA CEO.
Matthew Finnis, 2009-present
In 13 October 2009, Matthew Finnis was named AFLPA Chief Executive Officer, replacing Brendon Gale who resigned from the position to become Chief Executive Officer at the Richmond Football Club.Matthew is a former sports lawyer sports with Lander & Rogers, advising sport and recreation organisations on insurance requirements, risk management and associated liability issues. In addition to that, he was the Sponsorship Services Manager for the "SunSmart" and "Quit" campaigns following his work as a sporting administrator in basketball, sailing and surf lifesaving.
In-house
In 2005, AFLPA moved all services provided under the Player Development Program in-house, employing experts in the fields of education, player welfare and career transition.In 2006, a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (2007–2011) was negotiated with the AFL. The key principles of the five year agreement focused on delivering stability and opportunity, ahead of a crucial period where the game will push for unprecedented national growth.
AFLPA Induction Camp
The AFLPA organised an Induction Camp on 10 January 2010 to introduce new draftees into the AFL system. The two-day event, held at the Melbourne Cricket GroundMcG
Joseph McGinty Nichol , better known as McG, is an American director and producer of film and television, as well as a former record producer....
(MCG), was attended by draftees from each of the 17 AFL teams including newly formed Gold Coast Suns. Some of the topics covered were:
- Lifeskills
- Accountability and responsibility
- Depression
- Road safety
- Illicit Drugs & Gambling
- Anti-doping
- Community work
- Diversity in the AFL
AFLPA Indigenous Camp
In 2000, AFLPA created the AFLPA Indigenous Camp to support indigenous players and increase their profiles as good role models. The AFLPA Indigenous Camp has since been held biennually. It has been held at:| Year | Location |
|---|---|
| 2000 | Melbourne Melbourne Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater... (Victoria) |
| 2002 | Uluru Uluru Uluru , also known as Ayers Rock, is a large sandstone rock formation in the southern part of the Northern Territory, central Australia. It lies south west of the nearest large town, Alice Springs; by road. Kata Tjuta and Uluru are the two major features of the Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park.... (Northern Territory) |
| 2004 | Broome Broome, Western Australia Broome is a pearling and tourist town in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, north of Perth. The year round population is approximately 14,436, growing to more than 45,000 per month during the tourist season... (Western Australia) |
| 2006 | Townsville Townsville, Queensland Townsville is a city on the north-eastern coast of Australia, in the state of Queensland. Adjacent to the central section of the Great Barrier Reef, it is in the dry tropics region of Queensland. Townsville is Australia's largest urban centre north of the Sunshine Coast, with a 2006 census... (Queensland) |
| 2009 | Darwin Darwin, Northern Territory Darwin is the capital city of the Northern Territory, Australia. Situated on the Timor Sea, Darwin has a population of 127,500, making it by far the largest and most populated city in the sparsely populated Northern Territory, but the least populous of all Australia's capital cities... (Northern Territory) |
| 2011 | Redfern Redfern, New South Wales Redfern is an inner-city suburb of Sydney. Redfern is 3 kilometres south of the Sydney central business district and is part of the local government area of the City of Sydney... (New South Wales) |
The Camp consists of a variety of workshops that includes:
- Indigenous Leadership Program (ILP)
- Financial planning
- Indigenous history
Upon completion of the Camp, the All-Stars Indigenous team play against an AFL club in an exhibition game. The All-Stars have played Carlton
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...
(2003), 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...
(2005) and Essendon
Essendon Football Club
The Essendon Football Club, nicknamed The Bombers, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
(2007). The 2011 team featured a star studded line-up of the AFL’s top Indigenous players including Indigenous All-Stars captain and Sydney Swans
Sydney Swans
The Sydney Swans Football Club is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Sydney, New South Wales. The club, founded in 1874, was known as the South Melbourne Football Club until it relocated to Sydney in 1982 to become the Sydney...
co-captain Adam Goodes
Adam Goodes
Adam Goodes is a professional Australian rules football player with the Sydney Swans in the Australian Football League ....
, Hawthorn
Hawthorn Football Club
The Hawthorn Football Club, nicknamed the Hawks, is a professional Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League . The club, founded in 1902, is the youngest of the Victorian-based teams in the AFL. The team play in Brown & Gold vertically striped guernseys...
’s Lance Franklin
Lance Franklin
Lance "Buddy" Franklin, Jr is a professional Australian rules footballer currently playing for the Hawthorn Football Club in the Australian Football League . Nicknamed 'Buddy', Franklin primarily plays as a centre half-forward, but also spends some time in the midfield, where he plays along the wing...
and Cyril Rioli
Cyril Rioli
Cyril Rioli is a professional Australian rules footballer currently playing with the Hawthorn Football Club in the Australian Football League...
, Melbourne
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 Liam Jurrah
Liam Jurrah
Liam Jungarrayi Jurrah is a professional Australian rules footballer currently playing with the Melbourne Football Club....
and new draftees including Curtly Hampton from the GWS Giants and recently named Gold Coast Suns
Gold Coast Suns
The Gold Coast Suns were one of the eight original franchises that began play in the Senior Professional Baseball Association in 1989. The club split their home games between Miami and Pompano Beach, FL and hired future Hall of Famer Earl Weaver as manager. In the league's inaugural season, the...
recruit Harley Bennell
Harley Bennell
Harley Bennell is an Australian rules footballer, drafted with the second selection in the 2010 AFL Draft by the Gold Coast Football Club...
. Due to unsuitable playing conditions being brought on by heavy rain and Cyclone Yasi
Cyclone Yasi
Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi was a tropical cyclone that made landfall in northern Queensland, Australia in the early hours of Thursday, 3 February 2011. Yasi originated from a tropical low near Fiji. The system intensified to a Category 3 cyclone at about 5pm AEST on 31 January 2011...
, the 2011 team was unable to play against Richmond
Richmond Football Club
The Richmond Football Club, nicknamed The Tigers, is an Australian rules football club which competes in the Australian Football League. Richmond shares healthy rivalries with Carlton, Collingwood and Essendon. After winning five premierships between 1967 and 1980, the club hit the depths in 1990,...
despite having the match moved from TIO Stadium in Darwin to Traeger Park Oval in Alice Springs.
AFLPA MVP Awards
The AFLPA Most Valuable Player Awards is an annual event recognising excellence in players by players. Winners of the Leigh Matthews trophy is selected by peers through a voting system. Past winners include Andrew McLeodAndrew McLeod
Andrew Luke McLeod is a former Australian rules footballer for the Adelaide Football Club. He is the games record holder for Adelaide, having played 340 games....
(2001), Ben Cousins
Ben Cousins
Benjamin Luke "Ben" Cousins is a former Australian rules footballer, best known for his 270-game career with and in the Australian Football League ....
(2005), three-time winner Gary Ablett
Gary Ablett, Jr.
Gary Ablett, Jr. is a professional Australian rules football player and current captain of the Gold Coast Football Club in the Australian Football League ....
(2007, 2008 and 2009) and Dane Swan
Dane Swan
Dane Swan is an Australian rules footballer for Collingwood in the Australian Football League.Since 2007 Swan has emerged as one of the AFL's elite midfielders, winner of the prestigious Brownlow Medal in 2011 with a record tally of 34 votes...
(2010)
AFLPA Madden Medal
Named in honour of former AFL Players Associations Presidents and champion Essendon and Carlton players, Simon Madden and Justin Madden, the Madden Medal recognises outstanding achievement on and off the field by an AFL player over the entire course of his career.The AFLPA launched the Madden Medal in 2007 to annually recognise the achievements and contributions of retiring AFL players through four award categories: Football Achievement Award, Personal Development Award, Community Spirit Award and the top accolade, the Madden Medal.
The most recent winner of the Madden Medal is retired Swans captain, Brett Kirk
Brett Kirk
Brett Kirk is a former Australian rules football player of the Sydney Swans, and is known colloquially as "Kirky", "Captain Kirk", during the 2005 AFL Finals Series, "Captain Blood" and by teammates as "Hippy". Kirk is a hard working and onfield leader who has played in a premiership with the...
(2010).
Open Universities Australia sponsorship agreement
The government organization, Ausports pushes the agenda of athletes being well-balanced in sport and education as a way to prepare for the possibility of early retirement. To address this issue, the AFLPA worked together with Open Universities Australia(OUA) in 2001 to form a three-year sponsorship agreement that will ensure current and past AFL players receive support in continuing education. St Kilda champion Nick Dal SantoNick Dal Santo
Nick Dal Santo is an Australian rules footballer for the St Kilda Football Club in the Australian Football League .-Early career:...
was appointed ambassador for the partnership. Together with football legend David Parkin
David Parkin
David Parkin is a former Australian rules footballer and four-time premiership coach.- Pre-football career :He attended Melbourne High School and during his time there, was the school vice-captain and captain of football....
, OUA General Manager Cratis Hippocrates and AFL Players Association (AFLPA) CEO Matt Finnis, Nick launched the sponsorship at the MCG. Nick said in an interview that he values education and that it is important to invest in education while he is playing footy.
Benefits of the agreement:
- Each year, five retired (retired for more than three years) players will receive 'Learning for Life Scholarships'.
- Players taking up study for the first time or recently returning to study will be supported through a mentoring program.
- OUA in turn becomes a naming rights sponsor for the AFL Most Valuable Player Award (MVP) and the a Madden Medal category, the Player Development Award.
Elite Athlete Friendly University program
The Elite Athlete Friendly University program (EAFU) was another measure put in by the AFLPA to encourage footballers to stay in tertiary level study while pursuing a full-time sporting career. The EAFU consists a network of forty universities across Australia, providing athletes, including footballers, a supportive and accommodating environment which recognises the challenges they face when combining professional sport with study. This has resulted in an increase in the number of footballers undertaking tertiary study.As an active participant in the EAFU program, The University of New South Wales (UNSW) has a number of Sydney Swans players on its books. Swans players Ted Richards, Dan Hannebery, Daniel Currie, Josh Kennedy and Nick Smith are all enrolled at the UNSW studying towards Bachelor Degrees in Economics (Smith and Hannebery), Commerce (Richards and Kennedy) and Health and Exercise Science (Currie).
Mike Fitzpatrick Scholarship
Started in 2001, the Mike Fitzpatrick Scholarship named after Carlton premiership Captain and AFL Chairman Mike FitzpatrickMike Fitzpatrick (footballer)
Michael "Mike" Fitzpatrick is an Australian businessman, sporting administrator and former Australian rules footballer....
, awards young players who have shown a combination of football & academic excellence.
beyondblue Depression Awareness program
In partnership with the AFL and AFL Players Association (AFLPA), beyondblue developed and delivered a depression-awareness program within the AFL. Key elements of this program included:- Tailored workshops delivered to players, coaches, umpire s and supporting club/administrative staff at 15 AFL clubs;
- The production of a training DVD which includes interviews with high-profile players and athletes and 'mini-dramas' which illustrate how to recognise depressionDepression (mood)Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person's thoughts, behaviour, feelings and physical well-being. Depressed people may feel sad, anxious, empty, hopeless, helpless, worthless, guilty, irritable, or restless...
early and how to approach a person who may be showing signs of depression; - Co-branded beyondblue information sheets tailored to the AFL environment, including referral details of the AFLPA and the AFL's Employee Assistance Program;
- Development of a password-protected website accessible by program participants which reinforces the key messages from the workshops, provides referral information and useful links/resources.
Illicit Drug policy
In 2005, the Illicit Drug policy was introduced to support the Anti-Doping Code, introduced in 1995, that governed AFL players. The voluntary code, which test players for illicit drug use out of the competition, aims at reinforcing players as healthy elite sportsmen and to prevent the sport from falling into disrepute. The code is further strengthened by AFL players volunteers who have agreed to a trial of holiday hair testing for illicit drugs- a first in the international sports industry. While all Australian sports are subject to in-competition testing, the AFL is one of only three sports in Australia- the other two being cricketCricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
and rugby- that conducts out-of-competition testing. Although the code has drawn criticism from the Federal Government for its three-strikes policy, it received commendations from others citing it as a "prospect of rehabilitation and caters for medical confidentiality"
Accelerate program
In 2010, the AFLPA supported Anthony RockAnthony Rock
Anthony Rock is a former Australian rules footballer who played for North Melbourne and Hawthorn in the VFL/AFL.A midfielder from Hadfield, Rock debuted in the league during the 1988 season, playing with North Melbourne. He stayed with the club until 1999 when he moved to Hawthorn for his final...
with his Accelerate program which provided a unique opportunity for 20 young men rejected by the AFL draft the first time around by putting together an infrastructure of expertise in a bid to keep the game’s most talented second-tier players from 18 to 23 in the correct physical and emotional state to win a second chance.
In partnership with sports consulting group Infront, three major sponsors and the AFLPA's support, Rock was able to set up partnerships with seven VFL clubs and is working with 20 footballers hoping to be drafted.
Corporate Social Responsibility
The AFLPA is involved in a number of initiatives including national campaigns and on-going projects that serves to benefit the community. Here are some examples of previous campaigns:| Campaign | What it is about |
|---|---|
| YSAS- AFL House | In 2007, AFLPA and the State Government Office of Housing engaged Youth Substance Abuse Service(YSAS), a not for profit organisation, to research and design a model of service delivery for a housing and personal development program for homeless young people. The service was to be administered by an experienced non-government organisation and conducted in cooperation with the AFLPA. |
| Ladder | In 2007, AFLPA and AFL Foundation came together to tackle the issue of youth homelessness. Through projects in Victoria and South Australia, Ladder was able to offer support and housing to over 40 homeless youth in self contained accommodation. Ladder continues to receive support by the greater football community, the government and private organisations. |
| Just Think | In 2009, AFLPA launched the ‘Just Think’ campaign, with the support of the Australian Government, aimed at Australian youth to tackle alcohol fuelled street violence. A widely publiced advertising campaign running throughout the AFL 2009 Finals brought together 8 AFL Captains. |
| Zaidee's Rainbow Foundation | In February 2009, the AFLPA showed support for the not-for-profit organisation, Zaidee, by raising awareness of the importance of supporting organ and tissue donation. In a match in Darwin, the Indigenous All-Stars, including Captain Andrew McLeod, wore Zaidee's rainbow shoelaces. |
Free Agency
In early 2010, the AFLPA and AFL came to an agreement which will see the introduction of Free Agency following the 2012 season.From the end of the 2012 season, any player who is delisted will automatically become a Free Agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
, eligible to sign with any AFL Club [10]. Players who have 8 years with an AFL club will be eligible to become Free Agents when they are coming out of contract.
The introduction of Free Agency does not affect the salary cap
Salary cap
In professional sports, a salary cap is a cartel agreement between teams that places a limit on the amount of money that can be spent on player salaries. The limit exists as a per-player limit or a total limit for the team's roster, or both...
, draft system, list sizes or revenue sharing
Revenue sharing
Revenue sharing has multiple, related meanings depending on context.In business, revenue sharing refers to the sharing of profits and losses among different groups. One form shares between the general partner and limited partners in a limited partnership...
.
Etihad Stadium
The AFLPA wants the AFL to consider relocating games from Etihad Stadium if the venue's surface does not improve, following complaints that the slippery grounds were a risk as players were "slipping over like B-grade amateurs".In an interview with the ABC, the interviewer said that the Etihad Stadium issue is "like the sore that keeps festering all the time", addressing to Matthew Finnis the importance of confronting and dealing with the issue. Matthew emphasized that "player welfare is our primary concern", and asserts AFLPA's ongoing commitment to represent its members.
High profile cases
The AFLPA represents its members in a number of high profile cases. These are a few examples:| Player | Case | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Steven Baker | The AFLPA condemned the character slur made by the AFL's legal counsel, Andrew Tinney, SC, on St Kilda's Steven Baker during his AFL Tribunal AFL Tribunal The AFL Tribunal is the disciplinary tribunal of the Australian Football League .-Points system:Source: AFL Tribunal 2011 Guidebook... hearing as inappropriate and irrelevant to his case.. |
Steven Baker was eventually handed a 12-week suspension which was reduced to nine weeks in which the AFLPA viewed as still being too rigid as there were a lot of "grey areas" concerning the case. In July 2010, the AFLPA held a AFL Players Association Forum with The Rub at Triple M to put forward the opinion that consistency is needed when the tribunal hands out suspension. |
| Jason Akermanis | In May 2010, the AFLPA took a stand to the anti-gay comments made by Jason Akermanis Jason Akermanis Jason Dean Akermanis is an Australian rules football player. He is a Brownlow Medallist and triple premiership player who played for the Brisbane Bears, Brisbane Lions and Western Bulldogs... by telling the ABC that his opinion is not reflective of the majority of the AFL community. |
When Akermanis was eventually sacked by the 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... in July 2010, the AFLPA expressed their disappointment that Akermanis, a Brownlow Medal Brownlow Medal The Chas Brownlow Trophy, better known as the Brownlow Medal , is awarded to the "fairest and best" player in the Australian Football League during the regular season as determined by votes cast by the officiating field umpires after each game... list, was not given the opportunity to play in another finals campaign. |
| Andrew Lovett | St Kilda made a sudden decision to terminate Andrew while he was facing rape charges. | The AFLPA questioned the legal right of the club to terminate Lovett under the circumstances and highlighted that "basic principles of fairness and due process" has to be applied before submitting to disciplinary action. In March 2010, the AFLPA exoressed disappointment when a grievance tribunal coordinated by the AFL was boycotted by St Kilda. |
| Gary Ablett | In April 2010, Gary's image was used without permission by the media. | The AFLPA defended Gary Ablett Gary Ablett, Jr. Gary Ablett, Jr. is a professional Australian rules football player and current captain of the Gold Coast Football Club in the Australian Football League .... 's right to ownership of his public image by requesting the Gold Coast Bulletin to publicly apologize for a unapproved digitally altered poster of the Geelong Football Club player. |
| Nathan Bock | In August 2010, Nathan moved to Gold Coast Suns and became the subject of controversy. | The AFLPA expressed the need for rival clubs to support players such as Nathan Bock Nathan Bock Nathan Bock is an Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League . He played for the Adelaide Football Club between 2002 and 2010, and announced in August 2010 that he would join the new Gold Coast Football Club in 2011.-Adelaide career:He was elevated off the Adelaide Football... in his decision to move to Gold Coast Suns from Adelaide Crows as it encourgaed a healthy level of competitiveness in the game. |
Current team
EXECUTIVE: Chief Executive Officer: Matt FinnisFINANCE: General Manager - Finance & Administration: John Hogan
PLAYER DEVELOPMENT
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| General Manager - Player Development | Steve Alessio |
| General Manager – Culture & Leadership | Dr Pippa Grange |
| Transition Services Manager | Brett Johnson |
| Career Development Manager | Claire Mitchell-Taverner |
| Project Manager - Career Transition | Rayden Tallis |
| Cory McGrath | Indigenous Program Manager |
| Matti Clements | Psychology Services Manager |
| Nadia Taib | Player Development Coordinator |
WORKPLACE RELATIONS & ADVOCACY
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| General Manager – Player Relations | Ian Prendergast |
| Legal Services Consultant | Bernie Shinners |
| Player Relations Research Officer | Laura Sigal |
| Operations Coordinator | Braden Stokes |
LADDER:
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| General Manager | Mark Bolton |
| VIC Mentoring Coordinator | Darren Burton |
| SA Ladder Project Manager | Andrew Crowell |
COMMUNICATIONS:
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Public Affairs Manager | Ben Hart |
| Communications Officer | Heath Evans |
EVENTS: Events Manager, Leanne French
Presidents list
- Geoff Pryor (1974–1975)
- Gareth Andrews (1975–1976)
- Don Scott (1977–1978)
- Ron Alexander (1979)
- Michael Moncrieff (1979–1987)
- Simon Madden (1987–1990)
- Justin Madden (1990–1997)
- Peter Mann (1997–2000)
- Brendon Gale (2000–2003)
- Peter Bell (2003–2007)
- Joel Bowden (2007–2009)
- Brett Burton (2010–present)
2010 AFLPA Executive Committee
| Name | Current AFL Club | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Brett Burton Brett Burton Brett Burton is a retired Australian rules footballer who played in the Australian Football League. He was picked up at Pick 16 in the 1998 AFL Draft by the Adelaide Football Club... |
Adelaide | President |
| Brad Sewell Brad Sewell Brad Sewell is an Australian rules footballer with the Hawthorn Football Club in the Australian Football League . He was selected with pick number 6 in the Rookie Draft in 2003... |
Hawthorn | |
| Luke Ball Luke Ball Luke Patrick Ball is a professional Australian rules football player currently playing for in the Australian Football League.... |
Collingwood | |
| Ashley Hansen Ashley Hansen Ashley Hansen is an Australian rules footballer most known for his stint with the West Coast Eagles in the Australian Football League. Hansen was born in Victoria, Australia and was educated at Mazenod College.... |
West Coast Eagles | |
| Adam Goodes Adam Goodes Adam Goodes is a professional Australian rules football player with the Sydney Swans in the Australian Football League .... |
Sydney | |
| Matthew Pavlich Matthew Pavlich Matthew Pavlich is a professional Australian rules footballer currently playing with the Fremantle Football Club in the Australian Football League .... |
Fremantle | |
| Simon Madden Simon Madden Simon Madden was an Australian rules footballer for the Essendon Football Club from 1974 until 1992. He was also president of the AFL Players Association from 1985 until 1989.... |
(retired) | Past Player Representative |
| Robert Murphy Robert Murphy Robert Murphy or Bob Murphy is the name of:In sports:*Irish Bob Murphy , American light heavyweight boxer*Bob Murphy , American sports announcer... |
Western Bulldogs | |
| Luke Power Luke Power Luke Power is an Australian rules footballer. He is currently contracted to play for Greater Western Sydney. He was a part of the Brisbane Lions's 2001, 2002, and 2003 premierships. He is known for his effective use of the ball disposals, rare mistakes and his deadly accurate left foot. Many AFL... |
Brisbane | |
| Drew Petrie Drew Petrie Drew Petrie is an Australian rules footballer for the North Melbourne Football Club. Since debuting in 2001 he has played over 100 games for the club. He has played in a variety of roles for the Kangaroos including centre half-forward, defence and ruck... |
North Melbourne | |
| Matthew Finnis | AFLPA CEO |
2010 AFLPA Club Delegates and Alternates
ADELAIDEBen Rutten / Brad Moran
BRISBANE
Troy Selwood / Jonathan Brown
CARLTON
Brad Fisher / Michael Jamison
COLLINGWOOD
Harry O'Brien / Nathan Brown
ESSENDON
Brent Stanton / Jason Winderlich
FREMANTLE
Aaron Sandilands / Paul Duffield
GEELONG
Jimmy Bartel / Joel Selwood
HAWTHORN
Xavier Ellis
MELBOURNE
Cameron Bruce / Matthew Warnock
NORTH MELBOURNE
Andrew Swallow
PORT ADELAIDE
Troy Chaplin / Domenic Cassisi
RICHMOND
Daniel Jackson / Mitch Morton
ST KILDA
Jason Blake / Leigh Montagna
SYDNEY
Jude Bolton / Ted Richards
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Daniel Giansiracusa / Will Minson
WEST COAST
Brett Jones / Adam Selwood
See also
- Don McKenzieDon McKenzie (footballer)Don McKenzie is a former Australian rules footballer who played 266 senior games for the Essendon Bombers from 1960 to 1974...
Information on pre-Players Association pay dispute with VFL in 1970.