"I have received emails and have read letters to the Editor in the local Messenger Press regarding the issue of Finals gate fees to Southern Football League games. I believe it is important for everyone to know exactly what happens to the money you pay to come and watch one of our games, including the finals.
Firstly, in relation to the questions about the entrance fee to games during the regular home and away series, where cost was between $2 to $4, depending on which game or grade you attended, the money collected during these games goes back to the home club to assist them in the running of the club.
In relation to the monies collected during the Finals series, as has rightly pointed out, that money goes to the Southern Football League. During the 4 week finals period of the finals, this is the only time the Southern Football League has an opportunity to collect money to keep the Southern Football League running.
The Southern Football League, with the money collected during the Finals Series, goes in to providing the services to allow your children to continue to play the game of Australian Rules Football by way of paying for the following:
1. The running of the Southern Football League.
2. Supplying umpires (Field, boundary and goal) for the whole season, both minor round and the Finals Series.
3. The Southern Football League pays the affiliation fee to the Community Football Board.
4. The Southern Football League pays the compulsory insurance for all grades.
5. The ability of the Southern Football League to play Association Games against other Leagues for the betterment of all players, from juniors to seniors.
6. To enable the Southern Football League to supply trophies and medallions to all 8 grades on Grand Final days.
7. For the Southern Football League to supply medals and trophies for all grades on Mail Medal night.
8. For the Southern Football League to supply medallions for all 3 grades of mini leagues for their lightning carnivals.
9. The Southern Football League supplies all footballs used during the finals and association games.
Simply, if the Southern Football League were unable to collect the money from finals gates, it would cost member clubs approximately $6000 extra per year.
Some mention and comparison has been made that AFL games can be watched for $20. This is incorrect. The current cost to go watch an AFL game of football is $25 and for a finals game is $33 and for that you get 2 hours of football entertainment.
Please compare a comparison of the fees for other leagues and sports:
Sport
|
Season
|
Finals
|
U/16
|
U/14
|
Conc.
|
Games
|
Cost per game
|
Hourly Cost
|
Football
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
S.F.L.
|
$6
|
$10
|
FREE
|
FREE
|
$5
|
5
|
$2.00
|
$1.00
|
Hills
|
$8
|
$9
|
$9
|
FREE
|
$5
|
4
|
$2.25
|
$0.90
|
G.S.F.L.
|
$5
|
$8
|
$8
|
FREE
|
$3
|
4
|
$2.00
|
$0.80
|
S.A.A.F.L.
|
|
$8
|
$8
|
FREE
|
$2
|
2
|
$4.00
|
$1.25
|
S.A.N.F.L.
|
|
$10
|
$8
|
FREE
|
$4
|
2
|
$5.00
|
$2.50
|
A.F.L.
|
$25
|
$33
|
$33
|
FREE
|
|
1
|
$33.00
|
$11.00
|
Basketball
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
District
|
|
$9
|
|
$9
|
$4
|
1
|
$9.00
|
$9.00
|
36er's
|
|
$17
|
|
|
|
1
|
$17.00
|
$17.00
|
Soccer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
District
|
|
$9
|
|
FREE
|
$6
|
3
|
$3.00
|
$1.00
|
Adelaide United
|
|
$25
|
|
FREE
|
|
1
|
$25.00
|
$12.50
|
Theatre
|
$18
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$9.00
|
Adelaide Show
|
$19
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In addition, there has been some complaint as to the programming of matches, particularly on Mother's Day and Father's Day. The reason for this is very simple. The Southern Football League home and away series is programmed so that the League Grand Final concludes the week prior to the A.F.L. Grand Final. Every other affiliated and amateur league in South Australia programmes in the same way. The only League that does not do it in this fashion is the S.A.N.F.L. whose Grand Final is always on the weekend after the A.F.L Grand Final.
The Southern Football League program commenced on the 28th of March and ran through te minor round (20 games) with the last round being played on the 22nd of August this year. This also includes allocating the June long weekend off for players to play in the Southern Football League Association sides which the season program includes. Simply, football will continue to be played on both Mother's Day and Father's Day to allow a full season of fixtures to be played.
Then, due to the fact that the Southern Football League runs along the same lines as the AFL with a top 8, we have 4 weeks of finals games where, for the first 3 weeks, both Saturday and Sunday games are programmed, with the Grand Final being played on a Saturday.
There is no sporting organisation which plays its matches during the winter months that I am aware of, whether it be football, soccer, basketball or baseball within South Australia that doesn't play sport on either Mother's Day or Father's Day.
As far as I am aware, the only days that sport is not played is Christmas Day and Good Friday, but as you would have read in the news earlier this year, the A.F.L is looking at changing this and programming a football game to be played on Good Friday next year.
I hope this answers the questions raised as to why the S.F.L take the money from the Finals gates, and our reasons for playing football on both Mother's day and Father's day.
I believe you get very good value for money when you look at the fact that, if you wish, you can watch 5 games of football for your $10 which equates to about $2.00 per game and if you choose to stay at the ground all day you actually pay about $1.11 per hour which would be the cheapest form of entertainment I know of, especially when compared to other leagues and sports.
The Southern Football League promotes and is based on a family atmosphere at League and Club level. I hope you continue to support your children's budding football career, and to enjoy the service we provide at a very minimal cost remembering that the Southern Football League provides an opportunity for people to play and support the game of Australian Rules Football at the cheapest fees within the State.
Regards
Craig Warman
President
Southern Football League.
Last Modified on 18/09/2013 00:33