Barossa, Gawler against player payment changes but won’t leave SA Community Football League
THE Barossa, Light and Gawler Football Association says it does not plan to disaffiliate from the SA Community Football League despite voting not to adopt game changing player payments regulations.
Adelaide FL
Don't miss out on the headlines from Adelaide FL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THE Barossa, Light and Gawler Football Association says it does not plan to disaffiliate from the SA Community Football League despite voting not to adopt game changing player payments regulations which will take force next year.
The league’s nine club delegates met with Community Football League board members last Tuesday and voted unanimously not to support new regulations in their current form.
Set to enforced from 2016, the new regulations will cap team spending in country and amateur football at $3000 per game.
Barossa and Gawler chiefs voted to propose amendments to the regulations, which will also ban sign-on fees and cap individual match payments at $500.
SACFL chairman David Shipway did not believe the league would disaffiliate from the SACFL — the governing body for grassroots football in SA — but indicated there would be minimal, if any room, for movement on the regulations.
If any league disaffiliated, it would be a blow to the planned payments cap because it could create a domino effect.
“It was a healthy, robust discussion,’’ Shipway said of Tuesday’s meeting.
Shipway said other leagues had so far been generally supportive of the new rules. He said all nine Barossa clubs were currently paying more than the proposed cap.
Barossa, Light and Gawler president Mick Brien believed the regulations — which also demand greater recording of payments — would devastate volunteer numbers.
He said the rules would place more time pressure on treasurers and volunteers and expose them to possible fines and penalties if mistakes were made on the paper work.
Mr Brien also said the proposed cap was too rigid and too low.
“We agree that the payments at present are too great but we need to come to a realistic figure,” he said.
SA footy legend fears coaches are playing down concussion
A former Port Adelaide chief executive and Norwood playing great says some amateur footy coaches are risking players’ health with their handling of concussion.
Torn ligament: Paris Olympic swimmer undeterred by footy injury
Many Paris Olympians might have indulged in a spot of travel after the Games, but Aussie swimmer Matt Temple had one major wish back home – to get back on the footy field. Injury hasn’t stopped him wanting to pull on the footy boots again.