Rules and Regulations
Collective Bargaining Agreement
The Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is the agreement between the AFL Players’ Association and the AFL that sets out all the minimum terms and conditions of our employment. It’s a five year deal that will expire at the end of the 2011 season. Negotiations on a new agreement are currently underway.
With the demands of football ever increasing, the need to have a recognised Agreement setting out our minimum standards and conditions is paramount. The Players’ Association recognises that a player’s time in the game is short.
The key areas of the current CBA include:
- Minimum player payments
- Day off and annual leave entitlements
- Grievance procedure
- Player appearances
- Injury payments
- Code of conduct and player rules
- Use of image
- Match tickets
The Player Relations Department of the Players’ Association plays a key role in ensuring the rights secured at the bargaining table are not eroded and that the obligations on players aren’t extended beyond what was agreed when the deal was negotiated back in 2006. Through close work with our Clubs, our Player Agents and other industry stakeholders, they ensure things like our time away from the club, injury entitlements and the ability to resolve workplace disputes, are protected.
2007 - 2011 AFL / AFLPA Collective Bargaining Agreement
AFL Player Code of Conduct
The AFL player Code of Conduct seeks to deter conduct that could have an adverse affect on the standard and reputation of the game, the AFL and the AFL Players’ Association.
The Code has also been developed to clarify player duties and obligations as set out in the Collective Bargaining Agreement and the Standard Player Contract.
The Code covers many aspects of players’ careers both on and off the field.
Players in breach of their obligations under the Code risk being penalised, with penalties differing according to the severity of the breach and each player's intention. The Code ensures that penalties for misconduct are consistent at all AFL clubs and for all players.
Importantly, the Code requires that AFL clubs consult with their senior players and AFL Players’ Association representatives in relation to disciplinary matters. This assists in facilitating a responsible and coordinated approach to the promotion of appropriate standards of behaviour amongst AFL players.
Illicit Drug Policy
The AFL Illicit Drug’s Policy (IDP) was formed to protect the health and welfare of AFL players. It is based on medical principles of education, counselling, treatment and ongoing support.
The IDP has been developed in consultation with, and is supported by, leading Australian medical and drug prevention experts including the Australian Drug Foundation.
The AFL Illicit Drugs Policy is an industry-wide approach to tackling the use of illicit drugs (such as cocaine, ecstacy, marijuana, ketamine and GHB) by AFL players and officials.
The aims of the policy are clear:
- To educate players about the serious danger of using illicit drugs
- To identify any player who has made the poor choice to use drugs, and to direct him immediately into appropriate counselling and treatment programs
- To provide the necessary intervention and support to change behaviour of those identified.
Any player who does not respond to counselling and treatment programs – and who has failed a test for a third time – is subject to a financial sanction of $5,000 and a suspension of up to 18 matches.
For more information on the policy, please contact your club doctor or the AFL Players’ Association on 03 9926 1344.
Anti-Doping Code
Using a performance enhancing drug or method to improve athletic performance is cheating.
The AFL Anti-Doping Code is fully compliant with the code developed by the World Anti-Doping Agency. Enforcement of the code is integral to maintaining the AFL’s integrity and ensuring a level playing field for all players.
The AFL’s Anti-Doping Code contains a prohibited list of substances and methods which are banned because they meet two of the following three criteria:
* Performance enhancing
* A health risk
* A violation of the spirit of sport
There is simply no place for the improper use of drugs and doping practices in football.
AFL players agree to comply with the Anti-Doping Code as part of the Standard Playing Contract and in particular, to provide samples for drug testing.
For further details on drug testing, or if you are unclear about prohibited substances, please speak to your club doctor or ask for an information brochure from your club.
ASADA also provides a drugs in sport Hotline 1800 020 506 in addition to their website http://www.asada.gov.au.
