The AFL Players’ Association has published its 2017 Annual Report, detailing the programs and services provided to the PA’s 817 male members, 218 female members and almost 4000 Alumni throughout 2017.
AFLPA CEO Paul Marsh and President Matthew Pavlich reflected on some of the highlights from 2017.
Click here to view the 2017 Annual Report
“2017 was a historic year — not only did the inaugural AFL Women’s season take place, the male players signed a landmark Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and male and female players collectively led a national campaign for marriage equality in Australia.
Under the 2017-2022 CBA, male player wages are tied to the industry’s revenue for the first time in the history of the game. The agreement also includes a suite of programs, terms and conditions that will continue to create a first-class sporting workplace for future, current and past players.
In what was another significant milestone, the AFLPA officially welcomed more than 200 female players as members with voting rights and the association’s constitution was altered to include female board representation in AFLW captain and marquee player Daisy Pearce.
The inaugural AFLW season impressed and inspired many Australians beyond imagination. The players took to the national stage with enthusiasm and confidence and the on and off-field success of the competition was clear to see. We congratulate the Adelaide Crows on winning the league’s first premiership and look forward to what the future of the AFLW will bring.
We also would like to congratulate Dustin Martin and Erin Phillips who were both rewarded for their respective outstanding seasons with premierships and two of football’s highest individual accolades, the AFL Players’ MVP and the league’s best and fairest award.
Off the field, male and female players helped to put the marriage equality debate back on the public agenda by putting their collective social influence into a push for marriage equality. The campaign took place on IDAHOBIT (International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia) and received extensive national coverage.
But above all activity, the ‘PA continued to provide a range of first class benefits, services and programs to assist all players in the game, as well as those transitioning out of the system and into retirement.
It has been a momentous year with player unity at the heart of everything that was achieved. Looking forward to 2018 and beyond, the AFLPA has developed a new strategy that is focussed on continually improving the terms, conditions, programs, services and support for all AFLPA members.”