AFL Covid 19 Top-Up Strategy

Dear Members,  

In relation to our club agreeing to 'opt in' to this strategy, I would like to provide some background and explanation surrounding our decision.

Although being aware of a 'potential' strategy for several weeks, we were only provided information surrounding the proposal including the rules etc late in the afternoon of the 8^th March 2022. We were required to provide an 'opt in or out' position by 12 noon on the 9^th March 2022, less than 24hrs. 

Urgent meetings were held within the club to establish the impact this proposal could have on our club, our Members, our Players and the WAFL competition’s integrity.

Our position was that there was no tangible benefit to our club, Members or the competition but the opportunity to support our players in their dream to play in the AFL competition was a significant influencer in our decision.

Our club was effectively left in a no-win situation whereas if we 'opted out' of the arrangement we would be going against one of our club core values for our people to be the best they can be. This had the potential to alienate players, present and future, and undermine who we are. 

Being acutely aware this proposal has the potential to severely question the integrity of the WAFL as the premier competition in WA, we explored various options. 

The likelihood of WAFL clubs being subject to a Covid 19 outbreak is considerably higher than the AFL clubs as we have nowhere near the financial capacity to support testing and isolation procedures as they do. In this context, we are a higher risk, so our WAFL season is also under siege.

We have been assured by the WAFC, West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers that top up players will only be utilised if absolutely necessary due to a significant Covid outbreak within their ranks and the rules would be followed to ensure the WAFL or any single club is not decimated.

We have provided our official response to the WAFC and AFL below.

Thankyou for your continued support and we look forward to an exciting year ahead.

Regards

Peter Hodyl – President

10 March 2022

 To the WAFC Board and Management

 As custodians of Swan Districts Football Club’s long and rich history and indeed that of the WA Football League, we have carefully considered the AFL top up proposal presented by the WA Football Commission and AFL late on 8 March 2022. Our view is that this proposal serves no benefit of the Members and supporters of Swan Districts because it creates significant concern around the integrity of the WAFL as the Premier Competition within Western Australia. The preservation of a strong and independent WAFL competition is of profound importance to our club. Swan Districts will never shy away from this responsibility.

Taking into account the interests of our club’s Members and supporters, and the integrity of the WAFL competition, we formally register our concern that this proposal is not in the best interests of football. We fully understand COVID 19 has caused havoc within the football fraternity Australia wide, and the AFL is endeavouring to underwrite its own competition. We also acknowledge the AFL as a significant funding source of Western Australia football.

We will continue to fully support, as we always have done, any of our players looking to earn an AFL opportunity in any way they can to achieve their dreams.

 To that end the SDFC agrees, with strong reservations, to opt in to the proposed arrangement and rules, understanding the stated good intention of the AFL Clubs to protect the integrity of the WAFL with their selections, as outlined for season 2022 only.

Regards

Peter Hodyl

President