Watching the primetime broadcast of a national women’s league footy match earlier this month evoked mixed feelings for me.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
I imagined the joy of those women, allowed a taste of the exposure their male counterparts are granted, and finally having their hard work on show for punters to see and support.
Male AFL players are very often subjects of media saturation.
They receive endless exposure and are elevated to hero status in Australia, their every move on and off the field dissected and distributed.
The exhibition match between the women’s Bulldogs and Melbourne teams was an immediate hit with the public, attracting a peak audience of 1.05 million viewers.
The game was the most-watched Saturday night AFL match of the year when it aired, and the women’s league will commence its first season in 2017.
But the slog the dedicated players have faced just to make it onto the field is mind-boggling.
Furthermore, the disparity between their pay and their males counterparts’ is extremely disappointing.
Now they've made it to the national women’s league, the majority of players are only being paid $227 a week.
Most players, excluding those seen as marquee signings for their clubs, will earn $5000 per season for a 22-week contract.
The average salary for a male AFL player is $300,000 a year.
The AFL chief executive, Gillon McLachlan, will earn more this year than every player in the national women’s league combined – Mr McLachlan earned a salary of $1.7 million in 2015.
It’s almost as if the powers that be feel by affording women the opportunity to play to a vast audience, they can shortchange them financially.
By paying female players so much less than their male counterparts, the AFL sends a message that they literally are not worth anywhere near as much as male players.
Their dedication and hard work are undermined by the relatively small investment.
How disappointing for these talented, committed athletes, who have worked so hard to receive opportunities and recognition.
I hope these hard-working women come to earn the money they deserve.
I hope the warm reception they received on their exhibition match doesn't wane, and that female football is a permanent success rather than a novelty.
The situation is reflective of a wider problem in sport and broader society.
Women often have to work harder to prove themselves, but are financially remunerated poorly compared to their male counterparts.
Furthermore, many sports’ male divisions are granted significantly more public and media attention.
This perpetuates a cycle, putting off young females who wish to pursue a career in sport, but aren’t allowed as many role models, or an idea that they could make a viable career out of the sport they are passionate about.
We need to break barriers around women in sport – and all careers, in fact.
Positive media attention, correct pay and supporting women to follow their dreams as easily as their male counterparts will inspire a whole generation.
The league is just in its infancy, and hopefully as it continues to flourish the players’ paltry pay will be addressed.