CLUBS could be forced to find more money to finance pre-season high-performance camps unless players are convinced it's worth contributing to part of the cost out of their own pocket.

Under a provision of the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) included in 2012, at least 75 per cent of the playing group needs to agree to co-payment of such camps for clubs to be able to charge players.

AFL.com.au understands there are mixed views among players throughout the competition about whether they should make financial contributions to fund such camps, many of which are now conducted overseas.

A memo sent to all clubs in early June detailing the period of the year when clubs are able to conduct training camps also emphasised that the 'vote' provision would be enforced this year.

This reminder came after concerns were raised during the recent CBA review as to whether all clubs had been following that provision to the letter.

Although the contribution players make varies at different clubs, AFL.com.au believes the figure each player chips in at some clubs to be between $2000-$2500 per trip.

The AFL Players' Association is expected to inform players in the coming months of the need to conduct a real vote before committing to a financial contribution. Such a vote could be conducted as a secret ballot.

Overseas training camps during pre-season have become common in recent seasons, with many clubs heading overseas for high altitude or heat training in the off-season at locations in America, United Arab Emirates, South Africa or New Zealand.

Some clubs have chosen to stay closer to home, either travelling interstate or to a holiday location.

Although some funding for the camps is raised through corporate packages, it's been no secret that players at several clubs have paid for part of such trips themselves.

Many have the view they should not be paying for their own high performance training.

Others believe they don't have a choice when such an idea is floated on the basis that if a player wants to get better he should be prepared to do the trip.

Other players are happy to contribute financially and see the overseas trips as a life experience and learning opportunity.





Geelong's Brad Hartman takes a tumble at a 2012 training camp in Falls Creek. Picture: AFL Media







Some players have expressed a view they would rather not go if they have to pay, particularly with evidence on the positive effects on player performance of such training camps still the subject of heavy debate.

During the review it was determined that there was enough variance in views on whether or not players should pay, that a player vote was the best way to get agreement.

Several clubs were criticised during the equalisation debate for using scarce finances on overseas trips however some countered that the players had actually put their hands in their own pockets to fund the trip.

The provision is designed to ensure players are comfortable with doing that.

The memo that put clubs on alert that the vote provision will be enforced also indicated that clubs would not be allowed to book training camps that begin before the players' re-commencement date.

Last pre-season some clubs had already booked training programs before the more defined training commencement dates were introduced. Clubs were able to fulfil those bookings as part of the transition phase but are expected to comply from the start of pre-season training in November 2014.

Club delegates met with the AFLPA last Wednesday night to discuss the outcome of the collective bargaining review, but the issue of the player vote was not discussed.

The AFLPA’s new CEO Paul Marsh is understood to have attended the meeting as an observer, but did not contribute beyond asking a few questions.

Marsh begins in the job on September 1 and will be leading the organisation as it renegotiates a new CBA to start when the current agreement concludes at the end of 2016.

The recently completed CBA review delivered pay increases for players that put the Total Player Payments figure above $10 million for the first time.

It also created a banking system allowing clubs to pay more than the limit if they fall under 100 per cent in the previous season, and in the words of interim CEO Ian Prendergast, continued "the push towards delivering a truly first-class sporting workplace."

In the latter half of the year a series of working groups will also look at issues such as free agency eligibility, with just three restricted free agents remaining unsigned for next season.



