AFL Players’ President Luke Ball will play AFL game number 200 against Adelaide tonight. In his 13-year career Ball has achieved great success on the field, most notably premiership glory in 2010, but he could never be accused of living a pedestrian lifestyle off the field.
He was a leader from the outset; his football career began while still wearing the black and red blazer of Xavier College, holding the office as school captain and when it finishes (he’s got a few years left yet) it will be in black and white, in the office of President of the AFL Players’ Association.
Ball became a club delegate in 2006 while playing for St Kilda and was elevated onto the AFL Players’ Board a year later. He assumed the presidency in 2012.
Ball says the motivation to be involved with the Players’ Association came from a feeling of responsibility to help guarentee the ongoing success of the game.
“In your first couple of years you are more focused on getting a kick but as you get a bit older and become established in the game you start taking a bit more of an interest in the AFL Players’ Association as an organisation, one who acts in the best interests of the players. For players, by players is the slogan.”
Ball says he has seen the clout of the AFL Players’ Association grow in his time in the game.
“It’s come a long way. I think it’s probably evolved with the game a little bit with the level of issues the Players’ Association have to deal with; certainly the increase in professionalism is the main thing. Matt and his staff are presiding over some pretty serious issues during the footy season and all year around these days.”
Ball nominates the negotiations of the Collective Bargaining Agreement at the end of 2011 as a landmark moment in his time as a member of the association.
“It showed the players are committed and united to ensure our game remains the most attractive to young kids growing up and agree and acknowledge that we have a role to play in promoting it.”
“It showed the players are committed and united to ensure our game remains the most attractive to young kids growing up and agree and acknowledge that we have a role to play in promoting it. The negotiations, whilst they seemed drawn out and combative, all along we were after a fair result for everyone involved.”
Ball believes a strong players’ body is crucial to maintaining AFL as the premier sport in this country. He says AFL footballers are not immune to the everyday issues that afflict members of greater society and the support the AFL Players’ Association provides is vital.
“Recently we’ve seen some cases where guys are going through some pretty hard times and they have to do that publically. The programs the Players’ Association offer its members mean that all players, whether they are rookies or established players, have an equal chance of success.”
He cites the re-structure of the Player Retirement Account (PRA) as an example of a program put in place to ensure the long term viability of the players. “It’s something guys will get a greater appreciation of after their playing career.”
Ball has made a successful return to football in 2013 following a knee injury, but whether he is winning the football on the field or not he is a genuine leader in this industry.