AFL Players Association

The [http://www.aflpa.com.au AFL Players' Association] , or AFLPA is the representative body for all current and past professional Australian Football League players. The AFLPA is entrusted to enhance and secure 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.

In late 2006, the AFLPA opened up a new membership category allowing past VFL / AFL players to become members of the AFLPA.

The CEO of the AFLPA is former Richmond player Brendon Gale.

AFLPA Purposes

As an incorporated Association, the AFL Players' Association has a statement of purposes. Some of the AFLPA’s purposes are:

* To achieve and maintain an appropriate level of fair minimum terms and conditions for all AFL players commensurate with the professionalism of the AFL competition and the demands placed upon players.
* To improve terms and conditions to ensure the AFL continues to attract top athletes to the competition.
* To provide flexibility to enable elite AFL footballers the opportunity to maximise their earning capacity. To ensure a role for the players through the AFLPA in the development of policies, procedures and arrangements to be directed at player safety and welfare issues.
* To establish a long term program committed to providing on-going professional support and counselling in a wide range of matters such as personal development, financial, legal, marital, grief etc.
* To provide an appropriate consultative mechanism for the AFL and Clubs to consult with the AFLPA, as the collective voice of players, in the making and implementation of player rules and other issues affecting an AFL player.
* To assist, participate and work with the AFL and Clubs to enhance the game nationally and increase the gross revenue of the competition.

2008 AFLPA Executive Committee

History

The formation of a representative body for Victorian Football League (VFL) players was first attempted in 1955. The VFL successfully opposed the registration of this body and the fledgling union was disbanded. The Players’ Association 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.

* 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.

In late 1980, the VFL withdrew recognition of the players’ association, effectively leaving the players without a negotiating body.

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.

In 1984, Bryan Roberts resigned followed by Len Coysh in 1985, leaving Peter Allen to run the association.

By 1990, the VFL had renamed itself the Australian Football League (AFL). The players’ association 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 players’ association 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.

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 players’ association 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 association were instructed by the AIRC to attempt negotiations away from the AIRC environment. These negotiations led to the CBA of 1994-1995.

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 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.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.

When Andrew Demetriou 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.

In 2004 Brendon Gale took over from Peter Mann as General Manager - Football.

In late 2004, CEO Dr Rob Kerr announced his resignation to the AFLPA Executive Committee after five years of service. Former Richmond player and AFLPA General Manager - Football Brendon Gale then took over the role as AFLPA CEO.

In 2005, the AFL Players' Association 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 Awards

The Most Valuable Player Awards

The AFL Players’ Association Most Valuable Player awards remain the only AFL playing awards determined by AFL footballers.

AFL players nominate and select those amongst their peers worthy of special recognition across a number of categories, including;

* The Leigh Matthews Trophy for the Most Valuable Player
* Best Captain
* Robert Rose award for Most Courageous Player
* Best First Year Player

In 2008, the events major award, The Leigh Matthews Trophy for MVP was won by Geelong's Gary Ablett, Jr..

Other players to receive awards in 2008 include;
* Best Captain - "Tom Harley"
* Robert Rose award for Most Courageous Player - "Jonathan Brown"
* Best First Year Player - "Rhys Palmer"

The Madden Medal

The Madden Medal was created in 2007 to recognise the on and off-field achievements of retiring or delisted AFL players.

Named in honour of the achievements of former playing champions and AFLPA Presidents Simon Madden and Justin Madden, the Madden Medal is an annual event.

Four awards in total are presented including, The Football Achievement Award, The Personal Development Award and The Community Spirit Award. These three awards culminate into The Madden Medal.

The recipient of each years Madden Medal will be the retiring player, who in the selection committee’s view has achieved excellence across these three categories.

The Madden Medal selection committee consists of the AFLPA Executive..

2007 Winners
* Madden Medal - "Glenn Archer"
* Football Achievement Award - "Nathan Buckley / James Hird"
* Community Spirit Award - "Paul Licuria"
* Personal Development Award - "James Hird"

ee also

* Don McKenzie Information on pre-Players Association pay dispute with VFL in 1970.

External links

* [http://www.aflpa.com.au/ AFLPA Official Website]