REGULATION 31 | Player Payments Update Further to earlier communications, Please find attached a Confidential Information Report. As everyone is aware, SANFL appointed the Community Football Player Payment Investigation Committee several years ago to investigate allegations of breaches of Regulation 31 Total Player Payments. Last year, due to the COVID pandemic, players played for no payment however 2021 sees payments back with a number of amendments. This Regulation is an important mechanism to ensure fairness, equality, and slow down escalating player payments and the demands being placed on Football Clubs. The Investigation Committee is committed to Regulation 31 as is evident by the approved expansion of investigation resources. A new investigation framework which will see up to 5 new part time casual investigators will be implemented in 2021. This newsletter is also evidence of the Committees investment into identifying clubs and players that have complete disregard for the Regulations. This newsletter will become a feature of this season, providing both players and clubs with vital information to ensure competitions are run fairly and for everyone’s enjoyment. In this update 1. New Investigation Model 2. Regulation Amendments 3. Playing Coaches 4. Statutory Declarations New Investigation Model SANFL Community Football is about to advertise for a network of up to 5 additional private investigators for which they will be engaged on a casual needs basis, covering all areas of the state. They will be managed by the Integrity and Compliance Manager Scott Irrgang as part of the Investigation Framework. This will provide great assistance into investigating the growing number of “rumours” of players and / or clubs not doing the right thing. Please find attached a Confidential Information Report that has been in place for some time and assists with the reporting of potential breaches. Regulation Amendments There have been a number of amendments made to Regulation 31 as a result of the COVID pandemic impact. Please find attached a full marked up version for your reference Amendment Summary: Most of the amendments relate directly to match payments. Starting with a 29% reduction in the weekly match payment that can be made. Total Player Payment Cap each match is now $2,500 reduced from $3,500 in 2019. There is no longer a ‘marquee player’ payment permitted, this clause has been removed. No individual player can be paid more than $500 per match. Senior Coach payments are a maximum Coaching fee of $20,000.00 per season (this includes playing coaches as well). Any additional fee must be included in the playing cap up to $500 per match (refer 31.1.1.4). A player may be paid up to $1,000.00 per annum for providing the head coaching service to any grade, other than the A Grade. Any payment to a player for performing any other coaching role with the club, other than the Senior Coach or Head Coach, will be deemed to be a football payment in the total player payment cap. This has not changed from previous years. Another significant amendment to this year is the introduction of the Statutory Declaration. All players who receive $100 or more must sign and submit an approved Contract and Statutory Declaration prior to playing. Playing Coaches Some clubs have enquired about having dual A Grade senior coaches, hopefully this clarifies any questions about this arrangement. Notwithstanding regulation 31.2.3.6.5. All Remuneration paid to a Player who is also performing any other coaching role with a team of a Club, other than the Senior coach, will be deemed to be a Football Payment. 31.5.1 “Senior Coach” means the senior coach of the Club’s “A” grade team and does not include assistant coaches, coaches of the (Reserve “B”) grade or any lower grade team or junior coaches. There shall only be one Senior Coach of the Club whose duties must include developing and implementing the training and tactical playing regime for the Club and the taking of majority of training sessions, pre-game, half time and quarter time break addresses including overseeing the tactical processes on Match Day and is named the Senior Coach on Club records. An example could be that the player becomes the Senior Coach and the other coach becomes the non-playing assistant. The playing coach must perform the tasks described in the definition above with the support of the non-playing coach. Bear in mind any club that chooses to have a playing coach will be closely monitored and likely audited at some point throughout the year. If the investigator auditing them believes that the playing coach is not performing his role as Senior coach, as defined above, his payments will be deemed as match payments and the club will likely be deemed to have breached the cap. Statutory Declarations As you would now know, this season has seen the introduction of a compulsory signed Statutory Declaration having to be submitted by all players who receive $100 or more. This must be submitted prior to playing. PLEASE BE AWARE - Any person who wilfully makes any declaration by virtue of this Part, knowing that declaration to be untrue in any material particular, shall be guilty of an offence, and shall be liable, upon conviction thereof, to be imprisoned for any term not exceeding four years - Oaths Act 1936, s27(1). Statutory declarations may only be witnessed by a JP, Commissioner for Taking Affidavits (any lawyer admitted to the Supreme Court) or Notary Public (for information: https://www.agd.sa.gov.au/services-and-support/justice-peace-0). Good luck to you all for a successful and enjoyable season.
SANFL Community Football
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