AFL maintains players in the national women’s league should pay for their own health insurance
THE AFL says it will invest “tens of millions” of dollars into women’s football but maintains players in the NWL should pay for their own health insurance.
AFL
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THE AFL says it will invest “tens of millions” of dollars into women’s football in the coming years, but maintains players in the national women’s league should pay for their own health insurance.
The Herald Sun on Wednesday reported most players would earn $5000 in next year’s first season of elite women’s football.
The AFL’s pay proposal does not include covering the player’s health insurance.
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AFL general manager of game and market development Simon Lethlean said: “Individuals paying their own health insurance is common practice across other sports, as is the case with male AFL players.”
Average pay for the AFL’s male players hit $300,000 in 2015.
The top 16 female players will earn $25,000, including a marketing fee.
“The AFL will be investing tens of millions of dollars into a new national elite league over the coming years, as well as investing significantly in participation pathways and talent programs for girls and women — we are determined that the women’s game is an emphatic success,” Lethlean said.
“Our intention is to pay players between $25,000 (marquee players) and $5000, and we believe this is a fair and reasonable amount in the first year of building an elite competition from amateur leagues, and for a short season of up to nine weeks.
“We are also highly focused on providing employment opportunities for players with the AFL, Clubs, state bodies, and partners of the AFL.
“This is just the beginning, and as our game grows we will continue to invest in our athletes that will soon be household names.
“On the issue of health insurance, players from the community level right through to the AFL are covered by the National Insurance Scheme. We also recommend that in addition, players have their own health insurance.”
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