SANFL cuts jobs and reduces wages in effort to limit financial impact of coronavirus outbreak
The SANFL, like many industries, has been hit hard by the coronavirus and the executive team has been forced to make more tough calls, including job cuts.
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The SANFL has been forced to cut jobs and staff take pay cuts as the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak hits the governing body of football in South Australia.
Five positions have been made redundant immediately and more than 50 full-time staff indefinitely stood down from Friday with the announcement effecting 80 per cent of the workforce.
There has also been a freeze on filling listed vacancies, including the senior role of head of football operations, while the remaining staff will have their salaries reduced by 20 per cent indefinitely.
That includes the executive team, headed by chief executive Jake Parkinson.
Employees will be able to first access annual leave and long service leave entitlements during the stand down period.
Casual staff have also been relieved from duties following the national decision to postpone all state league football competitions and talent programs until at least May 31.
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“As we have seen over the past few days, the measures and restrictions to protect the health and wellbeing of the Australian community have had, and will continue to have, a devastating impact on many industries and, sadly, football and our people are not immune to this,” Parkinson said.
“Football, along with the entire sporting industry, hospitality and tourism, has been among the hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic in Australia.
“SANFL’s revenue comes from attendances at AFL games at Adelaide Oval and from our state league competition.
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“These revenue streams have presently ceased, as has revenue from our hospitality operations such as the Tavern at West Lakes.
“So too have our SANFL clubs been substantially impacted as their revenue from football and licenced venues is now reduced to nil.
“Cost cutting measures have impacted on the employment of their players, football department and administration staff and will have a far-reaching and long-term effect on clubs.
“If there was ever a time for those supporters and members in a financial position to back their club, it was now.”
Parkinson said the SANFL was facing one of the biggest challenges in its 143-year history and it had to find a way to ensure the future sustainability of football in this state.
“This is the toughest of days for every member of our team,” he said.
“They are committed and passionate about delivering footy programs and competitions across every corner of the state, from Auskick and school programs, SANFL juniors and talent pathways, inclusive and diversity programs through to our aspirational elite men’s and women’s state leagues.
“There is no winner today.
“But we must do what’s needed to keep people safe and healthy and get us through this most challenging time.
“The SANFL is focused on survival for the organisation, the SANFL clubs and affiliated leagues and clubs across the entire football community.
“Every club will be important to our game when we are again able to safely return to playing footy.”