AFL Barwon announce player payment cuts

AFL BARWON has announced reduced Allowable Player Payments (APP) in the Bellarine Football Netball League (BFNL) for the 2021 season to help clubs manage the financial pressures of COVID-19.

Before the pandemic, AFL Barwon was already set to lower the APP of BFNL football clubs by $10,000 annually.

However, APPs will now be reduced by $30,000, meaning the maximum clubs can pay to their players in 2021 will be $80,000 rather than the $110,000 limit in place at the beginning of this season. This new APP will be fixed for the next three years.

The Bellarine Netball League will also see its APP fall from $20,000 to $15,000. This new limit will be fixed for two years.

AFL Barwon commission chairman Craig Keating said the new restrictions would improve the financial stability of clubs in the region.

“The sustainability of clubs will benefit from these measures. Given the current economic circumstances, this will ensure clubs will be able to manage their affairs and keep football and netball on track. It’s a great outcome for them.”

Due to the cancellation of the senior football and netball seasons this year, the APP for 2020 in the BFNL has been set at $5,000 for football and $1,000 for netball. Clubs exceeding this expenditure may have the excess funds taken off their total 2021 APPs.

The decision to reduce the APPs was popular but not unanimous in the BFNL, with eight of the 10 clubs supporting it.

The Colac and District Football Netball League (CDNFL) will have their APP for football reduced from $80,000 to $60,000.

The Geelong and District Football league (GDFL) will have APP reduced from $90,000 to $70,000.

APPs in the Geelong Football and Netball League (GFNL) will be reduced from $145,000 to $100,000 for football and from $20,000 to $15,000 for netball.

AFL Barwon has also advised further adjustments may be required due to the changing nature of the pandemic.