SCORES of country football clubs fork out $50,000 a year and more for players. About 44 per cent of the 155 clubs that responded to the Herald Sun country football survey admitted the payments.
And 27 per cent of all clubs in the survey said they would return a financial loss for the year.
The same percentage said they paid at least one player $500 or more a game.
Toora, a club that forecast it may not survive the next 10 years, said it budgeted about $90,000 for player payments.
President Joe Pinzone said it was too much money, but the club had to spend it in order to be competitive.
"You're talking about a town with 500 people - how can we come up with $175,000 to compete?" Pinzone said.
"I believe small country football clubs like ours have got to go back to the future.
"If we don't cut back on our costs, there's no telling what will happen.
"What's happening is it's becoming increasingly harder for the committees, because they've got to raise so much money for that foreign legion of players.
"We've lost touch with why small country football clubs were formed. They were formed so country people could get together at the weekend and pursue a recreational and sporting activity."
Of the presidents who took part in the survey, 56 per cent said they paid more than six players $100 or more a game.
HERALD SUN COUNTRY FOOTBALL SURVEY
Does the AFL do enough for country footy?
Yes:11%
No:85%
Unsure: 4%
How much money does your club spend on player wages a year?
None: 3%
$1-$20,0007%
$20,001-$40,00019%
$40,001-$60,00019%
$60,001-$80,000 13%
$80,001-$100,000 7%
$100,001+ 7%
No answer: 25%
By Matt Windley
Article first appeared The Herald Sun August 22, 2009
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|