THE news came out of the SANFL late last week of a zero-payment cap for player payments to be implemented for all community football leagues across South Australia.
The decision obviously includes the Western Border, Mid South East and Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara leagues, which was made after discussions with all community leagues across the state.
In a media release SANFL head of community football Tom Hurley said feedback from the consultation process revealed a significant majority of leagues and clubs were in favour of abolishing player payments in 2020.
Existing regulations on travel allowances will remain to support regional clubs with travelling players, while after-match-awards also will continue.
Hurley said the outcome was part of a broader response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce community club costs in line with reduced revenues.
“Ultimately, our goal is to ensure every football club and league in South Australia can get through season 2020 and come out of the other side and be sustainable and successful,” he said.
“While some clubs may not be as impacted as others by COVID-19, most have taken a significant hit through loss of sponsorship and other revenue streams as a result of the effect on local businesses.”
The Community Football Player Payment Salary Cap, introduced by SANFL in 2016, had limited clubs to no more than $3500 per match in all regional leagues and no more than $3000 per match in the metropolitan Adelaide Footy League.
Hurley said it was expected the decision to abolish player payments would give clubs and leagues more clarity before making a decision about their 2020 seasons.
SANFL recommended all leagues and clubs hold off on making any decision about the season until a meeting of league presidents set down for tonight.
SANFL football operations coordinator South East Michael Mourbey said the outcome had been somewhat expected, with 83pc of leagues across the state in agreeance.
“It has been taken into consideration because of various factors,” he said.
“Clubs themselves are going to be hit fairly hard financially in the short season and because of the COVID situation.
“The general public and businesses have been hard hit and there is not going to be the sponsorship money or the ability to raise money like there was in previous
years.
“If we can get away for half a season or part of a season for clubs to have a kick we want to make it as financially viable as possible without clubs losing money.”
Coach and umpire payments are another thing, with coach payments still allowed as negotiated, although playing coaches will have to forego their playing component of that figure.
“Umpires are another issue which we will need to have a look at if we get up and going,” Mourbey said.
“For a very short season we are trying to cover off on as much of the financial stuff as we can, so clubs can get through to 2021 and not be worse off than they are now.”
Tonight’s meeting could well see the season end for one or more leagues in the region, or as Mourbey said they may even hold off a bit longer to see what eventuates with crowd numbers being allowed at games.
“I think it will be a chance for the leagues to ask further questions about the zero-payment cap and clarify any questions they have on that,” he said.
“We are hoping we will have some more information to give leagues on crowd numbers – there are a lot of negotiations going on between SANFL and the government to try to work through that – we hope we will have something to give to the leagues to consider.
“We will also try to put some other clarity around financial issues, like umpires payments and things like that to see how we go as far as being financially viable.”
Mourbey said the crowd numbers at games had become a big talking point.
“We do not know what is going on – you hear reports of allowing crowds at the Power and Crows showdown game,” he said.
“I am a little confused about what is happening – there are all sorts of rumours getting around.
“Tonight’s meeting is to try to give the leagues as much help and indication of where we are at as possible.
“The leagues across the state can then make a decision on are they going to wait a bit longer for a final decision, or are they going to make some decisions themselves?”
