THE AFL's pay offer of $1.144 billion to the AFL Players' Association recognises the players' status as the stars of our game and their central role in helping to build the game.
The AFL wants players to be the best-rewarded athletes in the country, with access to the best training, coaching, medical and sports science as well as the best retirement benefits of any Australian sport.
This offer to the AFLPA delivers just that. Over the next five years it will mean:
- AFL players would receive a total of $1.144 billion between 2012-16
- An increase in the average salary for AFL listed players of 11 per cent for 2012 (inclusive of total player payments and additional service agreements), with further annual increases of 5 per cent, 3 per cent, 3 per cent and 3 per cent
- The average AFL player would earn $301,000 a year by the end of 2016, or a total of $1.398 million over the five-year period.
- Pay for rookies would increase by 40 per cent from $35,000 to $49,000
- Retirement benefits for players would be doubled from $36 million to $72 million. This is in addition to superannuation that all workers get.
It meets our objective to fairly reward all players for their contribution to the game and deliver a range of benefits through enhanced job opportunities, career longevity and greater flexibility through free agency.
The AFL is committed to a strong and collaborative partnership with players and AFL clubs, whilst continuing to invest in talent pathways and the game at a grassroots level.
Over the past five years, the AFL has contributed more than $23 million towards community facilities that have benefited more than 600 football and netball clubs across Australia.
It has also funded state and community leagues and other popular programs such as NAB Auskick that have resulted in more 780,000 people participating in the game.
We have also created talent pathways through investment in competitions such as the NEAFL, Foxtel Cup and new academies and improved education and training for coaches.
AFL clubs have also received record distributions through our equalisation policies and, most importantly, we have kept the game affordable for fans.
Our supporters are among the passionate and loyal fans anywhere in the world and have responded by joining AFL clubs as members in record numbers - more than 650,000 this year.
It is a balance that has delivered strong growth and led to unprecedented levels of cooperation between the AFL, state and territory bodies, AFL clubs, players and government.
It is a balance that we will again strive to achieve as we now set about planning for the next five years and allocating funding across the game. Our belief is that growth can only be achieved if all parts of the industry are strong and working together.
I know that players share this view. They want 18 strong AFL clubs so all players have an opportunity to compete to win premierships. They want strong talent pathways so other young people following the same path they did can reach their potential.
And they want to ensure that state and territory bodies have the funding so they can support community football to build the next generation of participants.
We are confident that we are close to an agreement and players, clubs and supporters can focus on a great final series and we can all enjoy watching the stars of the game at their very best.
