Affairs put focus on AFL and inequality

The announcement two male executives have resigned over affairs suggests the AFL still has work to do in embracing women within the industry.

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan may take his duties to drive gender equality seriously but the AFL still faces issues on the road to gender equality.

CULTURAL PROBLEMS

McLachlan accepted the resignation of two senior executives, including his No.2 Simon Lethlean, for "inappropriate relationships" with junior staffers.

The affairs have reportedly shattered morale inside AFL headquarters. The high-profile transgressions have embarrassed the sport.

Unfortunately, the league most impacted by Lethlean's departure could be AFLW, currently under review in time for the second season in 2018.

INEQUALITIES IN AFLW

A women's competition launched in 2017 to much fanfare and support from head office but with poor pay and conditions for female players compared with male counterparts.

A minimum wage of just $5000 was upped to $8500 - with boots or insurance eventually included - after fan protests and negotiation by the Players Association.

THE MEDIA

Fairfax Media reporter Caroline Wilson has won the most prestigious journalism awards in the country but has had issues with some in the industry.

The Footy Show presenter Sam Newman infamously taunted Wilson for years, once putting a photo of her face on a scantily-clad mannequin.

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire and former St Kilda captain Danny Frawley joked about paying to drown Wilson.

McLachlan said the comments were an "indictment on our sport".

UNDER REPRESENTATION

The AFL Commission has two female members, Simone Wilkie and Gabrielle Trainor, on nine seats.

Of the 18 clubs, there is one leader at board level, Richmond's Peggy O'Neal.

Hawthorn's Tracey Gaudry is the only one at executive level.

There are trailblazers like Western Bulldogs vice president Sue Alberti, St Kilda assistant coach Peta Searle and umpire Eleni Glouftsis but they are vastly outnumbered in the game.


Share
2 min read

Published

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world