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AFL BANS ITS OWN MEMBERS ASSOCIATION FROM MCG CONCOURSE!
Monday September 10, 2001
Media Statement 2/2001
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ian Pike, AFLMA Media Spokesman: 0409 184 913
ALFMA Banned from Concourse at the MCG
Not only have the AFL banned internet media coverage but also the democratic art of leaflet distribution.
Despite assurances from the AFL's Membership Manager Shaun Welch that the AFL genuinely wants a constructive relationship with the new AFL Members Association, a volunteer from the AFLMA was prevented from handing out leaflets outside the entrance to the AFL Members Reserve on Saturday.
"The AFL won't allow us access to their membership list, so all we're trying to do is get in touch with as many members as possible", said ALFMA media spokesman Ian Pike.
The leaflets simply stated "AFL Members Are We Getting a Good Deal?" and gave contact details for the association (aflma@bigpond.com). "This is hardly inflammatory stuff", said Mr Pike.
On pointing out that he was standing on Crown Land and had every right to hand out flyers, the volunteer was told that the MCC and AFL had control of this area and the direction for him to move had come from Jill Lindsay, AFL Ground Operations Manager.
The attendant from the MCC was very apologetic, but said that while he agreed AFL members were getting a very bad deal and the Members Association was a "good move", the leafleteer should move. Not wishing to make a scene he did move to the bottom of the steps near the "ugly sculpture" where flyer distribution continued undisturbed. "After distributing flyers at several games during round 22 and the first week of the finals so far we've got contact details of over 3000 members who want a better deal from the AFL", said Mr Pike.
The AFLMA intends to clarify the situation with the City Council and MCC in time for next week's game. "One way or another, the leafleting will go on", said Mr Pike, "After years of neglecting members' concerns, the genie's out of the bottle for the AFL now."
Monday September 10, 2001
Media Statement 2/2001
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ian Pike, AFLMA Media Spokesman: 0409 184 913
ALFMA Banned from Concourse at the MCG
Not only have the AFL banned internet media coverage but also the democratic art of leaflet distribution.
Despite assurances from the AFL's Membership Manager Shaun Welch that the AFL genuinely wants a constructive relationship with the new AFL Members Association, a volunteer from the AFLMA was prevented from handing out leaflets outside the entrance to the AFL Members Reserve on Saturday.
"The AFL won't allow us access to their membership list, so all we're trying to do is get in touch with as many members as possible", said ALFMA media spokesman Ian Pike.
The leaflets simply stated "AFL Members Are We Getting a Good Deal?" and gave contact details for the association (aflma@bigpond.com). "This is hardly inflammatory stuff", said Mr Pike.
On pointing out that he was standing on Crown Land and had every right to hand out flyers, the volunteer was told that the MCC and AFL had control of this area and the direction for him to move had come from Jill Lindsay, AFL Ground Operations Manager.
The attendant from the MCC was very apologetic, but said that while he agreed AFL members were getting a very bad deal and the Members Association was a "good move", the leafleteer should move. Not wishing to make a scene he did move to the bottom of the steps near the "ugly sculpture" where flyer distribution continued undisturbed. "After distributing flyers at several games during round 22 and the first week of the finals so far we've got contact details of over 3000 members who want a better deal from the AFL", said Mr Pike.
The AFLMA intends to clarify the situation with the City Council and MCC in time for next week's game. "One way or another, the leafleting will go on", said Mr Pike, "After years of neglecting members' concerns, the genie's out of the bottle for the AFL now."
