Call for Gill to step up over women’s pay crisis
GILLON McLachlan’s AFL Women’s legacy is on the line as the pay and conditions crisis engulfs the fledgling competition, a former player union adviser has declared.
As some of the game’s biggest names including superstar Crow Erin Phillips called for a resolution, Prue Gilbert — a gender equality advocate who last month walked out on the AFL Players’ Association women’s advisory committee due to concerns players were being ignored — yesterday broke her silence and accused the league of “hiding behind” the union. And she said the AFL supremo had to step up.
“Gill made the right decision by introducing an AFLW competition, evidenced by the rapid growth in women’s football across the community,” she said. “But how history views his contribution to women’s empowerment hangs in the balance.”
News Corp yesterday revealed an explosive email sent to AFLW players by AFLPA boss Paul Marsh, laying bare the extent of the crisis.
Marsh warned players that the rejected deal had been the league’s final offer and that there were “no guarantees … when and if” the 2020 pre-season would begin or that players would be paid for 2020 and beyond.
Women’s football pioneer Sue Alberti said that she was “so sad” that the situation had remained unresolved.
Figures close to the stoush claim that the league’s refusal to establish AFLW as a “bona fide football competition” — including an expanded fixture, gate takings and broadcast revenues — is driven by fears it will open the floodgates to pay equity.
The league said yesterday that it remained dedicated to the competition’s growth and awaited the outcome of discussions between the union and players and confirmed that the 2020 season would definitely be going ahead.
“The AFL is committed to the long-term success of AFLW and ensuring the competition moves from a start-up to a sustainable league that provides ongoing opportunities for both current players and the next generations of female footballers,” a spokesman said.
Gilbert said it was now up to the AFL to break the impasse.
Thirty per cent of players rejected the proposed deal in a result Gilbert said had not surprised her.
Players against the proposed deal — including Geelong defender Meg McDonald and Carlton star Darcy Vescio — have concerns surrounding the length of the season and clarity on the deal, and are seeking greater representation in negotiations.
McDonald said on Friday that “respect, inclusion and empowerment of AFLW players is key to the sustained success of the competition”.
“That is what we have continually sought from the AFLPA over the past weeks — knowledge of our rights, inclusion in a transparent process, clarity of information, and a commitment to improvements going forward,” she said.