http://www.theage.com.au/sport/soccer/soccer-wleague-players-eye-switch-to-afl-for-cash-boost-survey-shows-20160907-graudt.html

• SEPTEMBER 7 2016 - 4:45PM
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W-League players eye switch to AFL for cash boost, survey shows

 

• Michael Lynch

   
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Seventy per cent of W-League players would consider switching to the AFL, with money the major motivating factor, according to a survey by a leading women's soccer website.While the number of respondents is small – about one-quarter of the 128 women who play in the W-League – they were strong in their view that there were big benefits in playing in the AFL's new eight-club women's league, which starts next year. 

Forty per cent of respondents said they would switch, and another 30 per cent said they would consider doing so.It is a warning sign that soccer cannot take player loyalty for granted in the face of a football competition that will offer bigger pay packets, more publicity, increased exposure and a strong career path.The website The Women's Game, which covers soccer, conducted the survey as interest in women's AFL is surging and other sports, such as women's cricket and rugby – the Australian women won gold in Rio – generate great public interest.Soccer may have been the first sport to set up a professional league for women, but the money the AFL has to market and support its new women's competition makes it a serious threat, as many elite soccer players would have the skills to code-switch without too many difficulties.AdvertisementThe W-League has been going for several seasons and is a key breeding ground for future Matildas and Olympians.But women's soccer has failed to generate large-scale financial rewards for its players. Only Melbourne City's all-conquering women's team has the resources and support that top-level players would want to perform at the highest level.Pay packets are poor, except for the very best who play at international level or are good enough to secure overseas contracts.While the website concedes its sample size is small, it says that of the 32 respondents nearly three-quarters had represented Australia at under-17, under-20 or at senior level, and all had played multiple W-League seasons.Money is the biggest issue for top-level sportswomen, who have to make sacrifices in other parts in their lives to compete at the highest level. Many W-League clubs do not reach the $150,000-per-year salary cap.The Women's Game says: "AFL has already made a play for a number of Matildas players and, while they were largely unsuccessful, at the W-League level is where they could have success, and that is an issue for the governing body and member federations. "AFL are already aware of this, with several players from the Melbourne clubs already approached and one player, Jenna McCormick, already committing to an AFL team for 2017."Emma Highwood, the FFA's head of women's football, community and development, recognises that financial issues are a major part of women's sport but says that top-level soccer players had a much wider menu of possible career paths to follow than women playing in the AFL."We know that a lot of players have been approached this year but only two, Jenna McCormick and Brianna Davey, have said they will play (AFL) next year," she said on Wednesday."What we have to offer as a sport is more than just a league. If you are a top player, you can play overseas in club football, internationally for the Matildas, there is the prospect of a World Cup or, as we have just seen, the Olympics."There is more to the decision-making than just money, although that is a factor. It's also important to remember that their league has not actually started yet and they do have to build it. "The W-League is a very important plank in the development of the game and it does help drive grassroots growth. That's why we have introduced double headers (with the A-League) and have worked hard to maintain television coverage."The Women's Game survey asked why so many would consider switching codes, and what the main motivations were. There were numerous answers, but cash, or the lack of it, was a consistent response."The game is still amateur here, therefore we can still do both, and until the game is more professional, people will continue to do both. If soccer had better television and governing body support, it would be the first choice by far," said one player.Other comments on incentives to switch included:"Well organised. Their [AFL] governing body actually seems to care about their game and is giving them the resources to grow.""Straight up they already offer a better income.""Money, publicity, professional treatment.""Greater initial salary…Seems more promising in terms of growth."