Weekly Times | REGIONAL Aussie rules football clubs are under increasing financial pressure with players wanting more money, according to Martin Gleeson, AFL Goulburn Murray regional general manager.
Mr Gleeson, who will be talking about the importance of a local footy club at Elmore Field Days, said football at a senior level was in a “period of transition”.
“There is a rising appetite within players for money, which is putting stress on clubs and especially volunteers,” he said, adding this increased financial pressure was forcing more volunteer fundraising and for clubs to be run like small businesses.
Mr Gleeson said AFL Victoria is introducing a player point system next year to curb escalating payments. Each player has a point value gathered over a three-year history with only a certain number of points allowed to play from either side each game.
“This encourages clubs to develop young players,” Mr Gleeson said. “My main focus is the value of community and relationships and how a local footy club provides this.”
Mr Gleeson is the main administrator for the region dealing with league operation, game development, governance and strategy.
“We’re trying to help the clubs help themselves and we’ll also see the introduction of salary caps,” he said.
He said that while the future was looking strong with increased participation at Auskick and junior level, the sport still had its challenges.
“In a junior context, we’re competing with kids who do nothing. We’re competing with laziness,” he said.
“We want to promote the health, the mateship and community relationships that come with a local footy club.”
He said another way to promote that was by implementing more sport into school curriculums.
Mr Gleeson will be making a presentation in the field days auditorium at 1.30pm on Tuesday.