The AFL Players’ Association is pleased to reach agreement with the AFL on the Standard Playing Contract for the first and second seasons of the national women’s competition.
In a landmark deal, female footballers will share in total player payments totalling $2.275 million in 2017, with a minimum increase of six per cent across the board to come in 2018.
The AFL has agreed to increases to all three payment tiers from its initial proposal, with the base salary now set at $8,500 in 2017 and rising to $9,276 in 2018. The minimum wage will now start at parity with the current pro-rata wage for male rookie-listed players.
This represents a collective increase of more than $750,000 on the AFL’s initial offer across the life of the agreement.
AFL Players Association CEO Paul Marsh said achieving equality was the guiding principle throughout the negotiation process.
“The AFLPA has acted on the advice of its members and our women’s football advisory board throughout this negotiation with the AFL,” he said.
“It’s their belief that we’ve now achieved an acceptable outcome with regards to the pay structure and terms and conditions included the Standard Playing Contract.
“The AFL has invested in the future of women’s football and laid strong foundations for what’s already shaping as a commercially attractive product.”
AFL General Manager, Game and Market Development, Simon Lethlean said the AFL had listened to the feedback and views of the AFLPA, and consulted with the women playing the game.
“We appreciate the support of our fans and the community in regards to the players,” Mr. Lethlean said.
“The AFL wants the NAB AFL Women’s Competition to succeed, and to be sustainable into the future.
“The league will be a semi-professional competition initially with players employed on a part-time basis, but we are keen for it to evolve into being fully professional as soon as possible.”
A tools of trade provision (two pairs of boots and one pair of runners), income protection and injury payments to bring the terms and conditions in line with that provided to its male members have also been agreed upon.
As is the case with male players, women will be required to pay for their own top level private health insurance.
“The players overwhelmingly voted in favour of accepting these payment terms and now look forward to working in partnership with the AFL and clubs to make the AFL Women’s Competition the success we all know it will be,” Marsh said.
“Importantly, our members can start their AFL journeys knowing that they will now be presented with the same opportunities to thrive in the industry as their male colleagues.”
AFLW player and member of the Women’s Football Advisroy Committee Lauren Arnell welcomed the significant agreement.
“We’re happy that we’ve been able to reach an agreement with the AFL. This will help lay strong foundations for the future of the AFLW players and the competition,” Arnell said.
“It’s now time to turn our attention to pre-season and we’re excited about getting out there and playing.”
PAY STRUCTURE
- Two-year payment offer
- Increase in minimum salary to $8,500 in 2017 and a further increase to $9,276 in 2018
- Increase in Tier 2 salary to $12,000 in 2017 and a further increase to $12,846 in 2018
- Increase in Tier 1 salary to $17,000 (plus $10,000 ambassador contract) in 2017 and a further increase to $17,946 in 2018
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
- Every player will be provided with football boots and runners
- Any out of pocket medical expenses or gap payments as a consequence of a football injury will be covered for a period of 12 months.
- Income Protection insurance cover will be provided to every player if they are unable to work due to a football-related injury.
- Every player will be provided with a travel allowance of $80 for every night spent away from home due to football commitments
- The AFL has committed to pay relocation expenses for the 2017 season for marquee and priority players from WA moving to NSW, QLD or SA
- AFL will pay for a carer to travel in cases where a player has a child under 12 months