Three AFL clubs have retained their external consultant because Leading Teams is happy to work for free
IT provided the program that helped make Gary Ablett a star at Geelong and now Leading Teams is continuing to help three AFL clubs throughout the coronavirus shutdown, thanks to a generous offer from the popular external consultant.
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Three AFL clubs have sidestepped the league’s strict new budget demands by retaining the services of an external leadership consultant for free.
Clubs are currently operating off around just $25,000 per week during football’s shutdown period and are expecting the AFL to slash the soft cap by roughly $3 million in 2021.
Richmond boss Brendon Gale said scaling back his football department would diminish the Tigers’ competitive advantages because some programs would have to go.
But Leading Teams has decided to volunteer its services to Port Adelaide, Brisbane Lions and Sydney to help their contracted clients comply with the AFL’s drastic cost-cutting measures.
Players have been urged to set multiple weekly goals, such as reading a book, so they stay mentally stimulated and emerge from the crisis as better human beings and teammates.
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“We have a trademark at Leading Teams – ‘Go the extra yard’ and so we apply that internally and externally,” director Justin Peckett told the Herald Sun yesterday.
“What does ‘Go the extra yard’ look like for us? Well, we don’t get paid for the work we’re doing for the AFL clubs, because that’s what’s been decided by the AFL, which is fine.
“But we still find a way to deliver our programs to our clients.
“It’s not a sustainable business model for the next 10, 20, 50, 100 years. But at this point in time everyone’s got to do what they need to do and we’re happy to keep working with them if they’re invested.”
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An AFL taskforce made up of five club chief executives is conducting an audit of football departments and last week discussed whether spending on Leading Teams and Champion Data, among other areas, should be cut.
Champion Data offers three packages with fixed prices whereas Leading Teams tailors its program — and price — to each client.
For example, Port Adelaide has primarily paid for its coaches to engage in sessions in what was supposed to be a make-or-break year for Ken Hinkley.
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Last year Brisbane Lions and Adelaide accessed Leading Teams. Every club — bar West Coast and GWS — has spent at least one season on the books.
Facilitators are currently conducting remote sessions with players and staff either in small groups or one-on-one.
“Their (players) desire to get out of bed might be a little bit different now that their week isn’t as structured,” Peckett said.
“What are two or three things they can set themselves for the week? For some it could be to read a book.
“This (period) potentially separates those who are really dedicated to improving their performance from those who see this as an opportunity to take the foot off the pedal and enjoy a bit of free time.
“The challenge will be players being able to set themselves meaningful goals and an opportunity to set goals outside of the actual game.”
Peckett was confident that the AFL’s biggest financial crisis wouldn’t kill off footy’s relationship with his company.
“There are some coaches, presidents, CEOs and footy managers out there that see real value in what we do,” he said.
“So I think there will always be a club or two or three or six that values our stuff and would see sense in engaging with us.
“The reality is 80-plus per cent of our client base is corporates anyway, so we’re not relying on the AFL.”