AFL MASTERS is football that is designed to allow mature players the opportunity to participate safely in our great game of Australian Rules Football and to compete with similarly aged players. The opportunity to participate, to compete, to be physically active, healthy and fit is the main motivation of the players in our competition. Winning is not important with our games being played in the spirit of "FOOTBALL FOR KICKS" with the social interaction between all teams and players promoted as an important feature of our organisation. AFL MASTERS WA operates community based games for players aged 35 and over.
Masters football was first played in WA in 1983 under the banner of "Veterans" football. It was later changed to Superules WA and in 2002 became Masters Australian Football WA (MAF). In 2008 the competition was formally recognised by the AFL and was rebranded with the AFL logo. Since its inception the Association has grown from 6 metropolitan clubs to now having 16 Clubs in the Metropolitan area and a further 24 Clubs in the Country with more clubs in both areas keen to join the association.
Over the years players that have finished playing with AFL, WAFL, Amateurs, Sunday League and Country Associations have enjoyed being able to continue their playing at less competitive levels.
Affiliations. AFL Masters WA (Inc) is a direct affiliate of the Western Australian Football Commission recognised by them and the AFL as the only official body to coordinate and deliver mature aged Australian Rules football in Western Australia. In Western Australia AFL MASTERS WA is also a member of the Community Football Advisory Council (Inc).
Whilst AFL MASTERS supports competitiveness games are not played for premiership points and we do not have finals. The Association strongly promotes it's philosophy of "FOOTBALL FOR KICKS" and players are required to play within this philosophy. There is zero tolerance of players who do not adhere to it. The association deals with offenders by way of suspension or de-registration. In the Country Zone games are played at various venues in the traditional "round robin" basis but again there is no premiership points or finals and the "FOOTBALL FOR KICKS" philosophy is pursued. AFL MASTERS has a "CODE OF CONDUCT" that players, coaches, members and followers are required to sign and uphold at all times.
There is no experience needed to play AFL MASTERS WA football. AFL MASTERS welcomes players with or without Australian Rules experience. We have players that have come from both soccer and Rugby backgrounds that soon get to know and enjoy our great game.
What If I Haven`t Played For A Few Years?
AFL MASTERS WA clubs will still welcome you. You will however need to attain a reasonable degree of fitness but you will find that after a few training runs you will soon start to regain your touch and be performing as though you hadn't spent any time out of the game. Well almost!
Insurance
The Association does not have player injury or loss of wages insurance. All players are encouraged to ensure that they have adequate injury cover through a private medical fund and if they deem it necessary some form of insurance to cover loss of income in the event of injury and to make their own arrangements in this regards.
AFL MASTERS also highly recommends that at least once per year all players undergo a thorough medical check-up with their local General Practitioner.
Registration
Players must complete an AFL MASTERS WA Registration Form and a National AFL MASTERS player/member Consent/Disclaimer Form before they commence training or playing.
AFL Masters WA Philosophy
The most important aspect of our game is that it is "FOOTY FOR KICKS".
All AFL Masters participants should adhere to this philosophy and accept the following guidelines:
- Egos are to be left at home.
- All Players should recognise good performance in others and applaud the efforts of both teams and umpires.
- Criticism of other player's performance and ability is not acceptable and will not be tolerated.
- The game is played for fun and enjoyment by all.
- Disputing an umpire's decisions or abuse of any umpire is totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
- On field and off field fighting, violence or bad language is totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
- All players irrespective of ability or skill are to be given equal time on the ground at all times where possible.
- Hospitality to visiting teams is very important. As we partake of other team's hospitality during our travels to away games, all member clubs and players should are to recognise the importance of returning the favour and treat other teams and players in the same manner as they would wish to be treated themselves.
- AFL Masters WA recognises the importance of involving our families in our activities and clubs are required to actively encourage their participation.
- New players are always very welcome, but should be made fully aware of the Philosophy and Code of Conduct and adhere to what is required of them as a representative of the club and AFL Masters WA.
- All AFL Masters WA Member Clubs and players are to avoid a winning at all cost attitude. All are expected to recognise that at our age, it is not how many games are won, but how many games are played. For that reason we have modified rules and modified attitudes to playing in order to minimise the risk of injury and keep us playing and enjoying our great game even longer.
Those Rules include:
1. No scored games
2. No Finals Games
3. No premiership Ladder
- All AFL Masters WA Member Clubs and players recognise that from time to time far more players arrive to play in a game than can take the field and that when this occurs players are to be rotated of the bench with equal playing time provided to all where it is possible. Whether players are able to take the field or
not might also be influenced by a Member Clubs own rules that relate to:
1. paid membership
2. attendance at training
3. participation in club activities and duties and;
4. willingness to travel to away games.