A new report has revealed many AFL and AFLW players believe a “culture of silence” permeates through the game, leaving them fearful of the potential consequences of speaking out about important issues such as racism.
The AFL Players Association on Tuesday released the second edition of its Insights and Impact report, which surveyed men’s and women’s players across the professional game in Australia.
It comes off the back of last year’s inaugural report and at a time when the union and the league are locked in the process of negotiating a joint collective bargaining agreement.
In the wake of the Hawthorn racism and Adelaide training camp allegations, this year’s report focused on human rights and found that when serious issues arise there is still often a lack of clear or fair process.
“Despite these events occurring some time ago, players and their families have only recently felt comfortable raising their concerns,” the report said. “Anecdotally, many AFL and AFLW players feel threatened by potential consequences of speaking out and believe that a culture of silence pervades throughout the industry.”
The report found that 77% of AFLW and 40% of AFL Indigenous or multicultural players reported not being satisfied with how a racism incident was handled once reported. The data also showed the constraints and apprehensions players encounter when it comes to expressing their views through the media.
“The AFL industry still has much work to do around its workplace culture for players,” the AFLPA chief executive, Paul Marsh, said. “While there are many positives, we continue to see a culture of silence when serious issues emerge, and players are fearful of ramifications if they raise their concerns.”
Marsh said a whisteblower service would be introduced by the union to enable players to anonymously raise their concerns in a safe way.
Worryingly, the survey also found that nearly one in 10 AFL men’s players hid a concussion during the reporting period for fear of missing out on a match.
AFL players surveyed indicated an increase in incidences of unreported concussions, with 9% experiencing a concussion they did not report – higher than the five-year average of 7%. But the vast majority of men’s players (92%) were satisfied with the league’s current concussion protocols.
There was a different pattern for AFLW players, with the rates of concussion incidence and non-reporting either remaining steady or declining between seasons six and seven.
Mental health remains the top priority for AFL and AFLW players, with the impact of social media the second highest societal concern for both cohorts, according to the survey.
The AFLPA found that, with the new CBA still to be finalised, the AFL is lagging behind in advancing gender equity – Cricket Australia established a combined collective agreement in 2017 which achieved pay equity with the same base hourly rate.
The union said it was pushing for equalisation of other working conditions and benefits between AFL and AFLW players in the ongoing CBA negotiations.
“While the report celebrates some of our successes, it also underscores the enormity of the task ahead of us,” Marsh said. “Issues such as transition support, gender equality, racism and mental health still require our unwavering focus.”
