AFLW New Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)

[TigermanM2]

EXPLAINER: Everything you need to know about the AFLW CBA​

Sarah Black
FEB 22. 2022

THERE'S currently plenty of action on the footy field, but important off-field negotiations later this year are set to dictate the future of the NAB AFLW competition.

The players' Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is set to expire in October, and the AFLPA and AFL will be in negotiation throughout this year to set up the new pay deal.

What do you need to know

What is a CBA?​

A CBA is a pay deal or contract, with work conditions and extras included in the document. In this case, it is negotiated between the AFL and the AFL Players Association, which is the union body for AFL and AFLW players.

The first AFLW CBA was negotiated in 2019, with an extension then agreed upon for the 2020 and 2021 seasons.

Also included in the CBA is aspects like prizemoney, payment for player appearances, welfare support and things as simple as meals at training, medical cover and pregnancy policies.

What's up for discussion this year?​

The 2022-23 season will mark the first time all 18 clubs will field an AFLW side.

Currently, the season stands at 10 home and away rounds with three weeks of finals, but an extra four sides means the season structure is up for debate.

Pay, recognition for hours worked and the gradual push to full-time professionalism will be the major centrepiece of the new CBA.

The timing and starting point of the season will also be a big talking point.

Brisbane Lions players celebrate their 2021 NAB AFL Women's premiership victory. Picture: AFL Photos

What's the current pay deal?​

Total player payments have slowly increased over the past four seasons, with a four-tier system in play.

In 2022, the pay was as follows:

• Tier one: $37,155
• Tier two: $28,697
• Tier three: $24,468
• Tier four: $20,239

There is also an Additional Services Agreements pool for marketing and promotional appearances of $100,000, with the top two players at each club excluded from this cap.

The current CBA allows for 10 hours of training per week during the season, with 13 over pre-season.

What do the players want to work towards?​

The AFLPA and the players are working towards their football vision for the AFLW (as opposed to women's football in general), nominating 2026 as the latest season by which they want to see players on 12-month contracts.

The PA has been working with club captains, player delegates and the entire playing cohort in developing its plan, which has yet to be fully finalised.

The vast majority of players have external work and/or study commitments, with some taking annual leave or leave without pay during the AFLW season.

The changing AFLW fixture in the face of COVID-19 outbreaks at clubs – an area outside of anyone's control – has made life more difficult for players, coaches and support staff alike.

The AFLPA is also forecasting a point where some players will have to make a call between continuing their career progression in their external work, or signing full-time contracts.

Carlton and Collingwood players in action during the opening round of the 2022 season on January 9. Picture: AFL Photos

What about the AFL?​

The AFL released its Women's Football Vision late last year, which contained a number of aspirational goals.

With broader goals – inclusive of all levels of women's football, coaching and umpiring – than the AFLPA's specific AFLW plans, key targets included players to become the best-paid domestic sportswomen in the country, at least 50 per cent of senior coaching roles to be held by women, and visible pathways for women in administrative roles.

The AFL's deadline for its aspirational goals is 2030, and also focused on professional development outside of football.

What sort of timeline are we on?​

The starting date of the season – which could possibly fall anywhere from September onwards – is yet to be finalised, with both parties grappling with trying to find clean air and playing in less strenuous weather conditions.

The current CBA expires on October 31.

Once a season start date has been locked in, the starting date for pre-season can be settled upon.

Complicating factors is the massive influx of players needed over this coming off-season, with Essendon, Hawthorn, Port Adelaide and Sydney to join the competition, meaning an additional 120 players (if lists stay at 30).

Lists will need to be built before pre-season can begin, meaning the AFLPA and the AFL are in for a hectic few months of discussion.

 

[Stan Judkins]

EXPLAINER: Everything you need to know about the AFLW CBA​

Sarah Black
FEB 22. 2022

THERE'S currently plenty of action on the footy field, but important off-field negotiations later this year are set to dictate the future of the NAB AFLW competition.

The players' Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is set to expire in October, and the AFLPA and AFL will be in negotiation throughout this year to set up the new pay deal.

What do you need to know

What is a CBA?​

A CBA is a pay deal or contract, with work conditions and extras included in the document. In this case, it is negotiated between the AFL and the AFL Players Association, which is the union body for AFL and AFLW players.

The first AFLW CBA was negotiated in 2019, with an extension then agreed upon for the 2020 and 2021 seasons.

Also included in the CBA is aspects like prizemoney, payment for player appearances, welfare support and things as simple as meals at training, medical cover and pregnancy policies.

What's up for discussion this year?​

The 2022-23 season will mark the first time all 18 clubs will field an AFLW side.

Currently, the season stands at 10 home and away rounds with three weeks of finals, but an extra four sides means the season structure is up for debate.

Pay, recognition for hours worked and the gradual push to full-time professionalism will be the major centrepiece of the new CBA.

The timing and starting point of the season will also be a big talking point.

Brisbane Lions players celebrate their 2021 NAB AFL Women's premiership victory. Picture: AFL Photos

What's the current pay deal?​

Total player payments have slowly increased over the past four seasons, with a four-tier system in play.

In 2022, the pay was as follows:

• Tier one: $37,155
• Tier two: $28,697
• Tier three: $24,468
• Tier four: $20,239

There is also an Additional Services Agreements pool for marketing and promotional appearances of $100,000, with the top two players at each club excluded from this cap.

The current CBA allows for 10 hours of training per week during the season, with 13 over pre-season.

What do the players want to work towards?​

The AFLPA and the players are working towards their football vision for the AFLW (as opposed to women's football in general), nominating 2026 as the latest season by which they want to see players on 12-month contracts.

The PA has been working with club captains, player delegates and the entire playing cohort in developing its plan, which has yet to be fully finalised.

The vast majority of players have external work and/or study commitments, with some taking annual leave or leave without pay during the AFLW season.

The changing AFLW fixture in the face of COVID-19 outbreaks at clubs – an area outside of anyone's control – has made life more difficult for players, coaches and support staff alike.

The AFLPA is also forecasting a point where some players will have to make a call between continuing their career progression in their external work, or signing full-time contracts.

Carlton and Collingwood players in action during the opening round of the 2022 season on January 9. Picture: AFL Photos

What about the AFL?​

The AFL released its Women's Football Vision late last year, which contained a number of aspirational goals.

With broader goals – inclusive of all levels of women's football, coaching and umpiring – than the AFLPA's specific AFLW plans, key targets included players to become the best-paid domestic sportswomen in the country, at least 50 per cent of senior coaching roles to be held by women, and visible pathways for women in administrative roles.

The AFL's deadline for its aspirational goals is 2030, and also focused on professional development outside of football.

What sort of timeline are we on?​

The starting date of the season – which could possibly fall anywhere from September onwards – is yet to be finalised, with both parties grappling with trying to find clean air and playing in less strenuous weather conditions.

The current CBA expires on October 31.

Once a season start date has been locked in, the starting date for pre-season can be settled upon.

Complicating factors is the massive influx of players needed over this coming off-season, with Essendon, Hawthorn, Port Adelaide and Sydney to join the competition, meaning an additional 120 players (if lists stay at 30).

Lists will need to be built before pre-season can begin, meaning the AFLPA and the AFL are in for a hectic few months of discussion.

In 2022, the pay was as follows:

• Tier one: $37,155
• Tier two: $28,697
• Tier three: $24,468
• Tier four: $20,239

There is also an Additional Services Agreements pool for marketing and promotional appearances of $100,000, with the top two players at each club excluded from this cap.

so i'm assuming Mon & KB are tier 1 & are the 2 that are excluded from the Additional Services Agreements pool for marketing and promotional appearances of $100,000?

 

[Cdog71]

Highest paid by 2030…
Not sure what BBall is but pretty sure Netball base is 72 thou.

Found this

How much do Australian sportswomen get paid? - Danielle Warby

It’s hard to give exact amounts of salaries for female athletes, different sports have different pay deals. These are their current earnings.

daniellewarby.com

 

[TigermanM2]

In 2022, the pay was as follows:

• Tier one: $37,155
• Tier two: $28,697
• Tier three: $24,468
• Tier four: $20,239

There is also an Additional Services Agreements pool for marketing and promotional appearances of $100,000, with the top two players at each club excluded from this cap.

so i'm assuming Mon & KB are tier 1 & are the 2 that are excluded from the Additional Services Agreements pool for marketing and promotional appearances of $100,000?

I think you will find there is a bit of a mix n mash with player payments.

For example Conti and Brennan may be the two excluded from the marketing cap and because they can earn good $$ from marketing we may find Conti on tier 2 (as an example) just so we can elevate McKenzie to tier 1.

Conti (or Brennan) may miss out on the $8458 difference between T1 and T2 but they more than make up for it with marketing $$.

 

[Phar Ace]

I think you will find there is a bit of a mix n mash with player payments.

For example Conti and Brennan may be the two excluded from the marketing cap and because they can earn good $$ from marketing we may find Conti on tier 2 (as an example) just so we can elevate McKenzie to tier 1.

Conti (or Brennan) may miss out on the $8458 difference between T1 and T2 but they more than make up for it with marketing $$.

Their capacity to be employed elsewhere, and with whom, would play a constructive role as well.

 

[TigermanM2]

Their capacity to be employed elsewhere, and with whom, would play a constructive role as well.

Spot on. You wouldn’t think Erin Phillips would be taking all the cash at Adelaide. Deserves it given her ability but she has a couple of handy gigs elsewhere.

 

[Bojangles17]

We have three stars in the team that warrant good money , kB Conti and Ellie the balance are about right as is all things Considered ,,,,I expect 4-5y time depth and standard will be much improved . Next couple will plateau with expansion sides drawing on same pool

 

[Phar Ace]

We have three stars in the team that warrant good money , kB Conti and Ellie the balance are about right as is all things Considered ,,,,I expect 4-5y time depth and standard will be much improved . Next couple will plateau with expansion sides drawing on same pool

True, all the more remarkable what North have achieved really - raids or no raids.