Money hungry players are deserting the Victorian Amateur Football Association in near record numbers this summer, the association boss says.
VAFA CEO Michael Sholly revealed the news as he called for action over rising player payments, despite the VAFA’s unique status as an amateur competition.
Since the 2014 season concluded, the VAFA has already lost a number of players to cashed-up clubs in other metropolitan and rural football leagues, and Sholly was concerned more would follow, given players in the VAFA are not paid.
Mr Sholly described it as a “very big concern”.
“This off season we have probably had the most number of players leaving for neighbouring football leagues,” he said.
“It has never been a big issue before but it is now.
“Our players won’t leave unless they are going to get paid reasonably handsomely.
“Certain clubs will target our players if they have a large enough bank balance and players get attracted to other competitions for financial inducements.”
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Sholly said the issue would be discussed at a board meeting on November 21, and again at the association’s annual general meeting in December.
“Being an amateur competition is our number one platform,” he said. “But there remains the threat of neighbouring competitions.
“It might not be a bad thing in some cases, with players getting opportunities to be paid while studying, things like that.
“But we need to identify a strategy to deal with it.”
AFL Victoria has no fixed proposal, but has floated a possible salary cap, which would be reinforced by a player points system.
Sholly said the VAFA would not be directly affected by any such system, thanks to the evenness of the competition.
“It’s easy for clubs to find their spot, whether that be in Premier B or Div 2 or wherever.
“There’s four new teams in each division each year with the two-up two-down promotion-relegation system.
“And that’s the beauty of the competition. If your club is playing well you can move up; if you have a bad year you go back down, refocus and reset.”
Many clubs in metropolitan leagues have expressed doubt over whether a salary cap could be effectively policed; Sholly said it would be possible if there was league-wide commitment.
“We have an intergrity officer who we pay who makes official approaches to clubs,” he said.
“But really for it to work the whole competition has to buy into it.
“The presidents run the clubs and if they agree with the philosophy and are diligent in what they do, then it can work.
“But if you have a recalcitrant then you aren’t going to be able to police it properly.”
As for the VAFA, Sholly said he had total faith in the association and its clubs.
“I have great confdience in our club presidents that they uphold the integrity of this competition.”
