Sorry, an ABA player,

I thought that the competition was run for the benefits of the clubs! Not the players.

Players like yourself don't understand that it is junior fee's that pay for your uniforms, your training times, your player payments and your coaches fee's. Most clubs would spend $50K on the senior program, and even at $5 per person, 500 people per game would not cover half of the cost. Plus it is juniors parent who do all the fundraising and sponsorship in clubs. Senior player do nothing but look after themselves.

There would not be an ABA team in the competition that makes a profit for their club. But a number of club have been sent into a downwards spiral becasue of the outlay to people like yourself. Be happy that anyody gets paid or that you have a half decent competition to play in.

I sort of agree with Quartz, however just seeing a few Senior Players on a Clubs Committee might be good start.

I have been involved at Committee level (of one club) for 10 years & only on a very rare occasion has a member of our Senior teams even attended an AGM, never mind about joining the Committee!

Not too late for this year either, as the AGM hasn't taken place yet and I know there are a couple of vacancies at least! I think most of the Club concerned know who I am and so which Club I mean, but I am sure it could be directed at most if not all.

Quartz,
You are absolutely correct in saying the competition is run for the benefit of the clubs. I'm sure most of the players understand that.

Firstly, i adore the assumption that ABA players get paid. Yes, some do, but a vast majority do not.

Secondly, the thrust of what you are saying is that the competition in its current form is a burden on the clubs and hence we should sit back, shut up and be happy with mediocrity.

This is exactly why i feel a players association may assist in releaving that burden and ultimately improve the competition and BSA accordingly.

Then again, we could just sit back and be happy with mediocrity...

There is a salary cap. $25K. Some clubs probably spend more.

Why don't you ask your club what actually goes into running an ABA team. Maybe you can offer to help.

There are many issues that could be dealt with by a players assoc. What Quartz misses here is the fact that ABL (aside from a lack of funds) is the equivalent of SANFL , SACA etc , all of which have player representation. 152979 anon is correct in saying that current ABL players ( and their long suffering parents ) have made contributions over many years( in my own case nearly 14 years ).

A players assoc. could have the benefit of lobbying for the implementation of ideas to improve the sport, and to get more people involved. More people = more money and more people benefit.

As for the involvement of ABL players with club activities, Quartz should realise that a large number of ABL players are Uni. students, and by the time they have studied, trained 2 or 3 times a week , played 2 times a week, worked a part time job and coached junior team there isn't any time left for committees.

There are many issues that could be dealt with by a players assoc. What Quartz misses here is the fact that ABL (aside from a lack of funds) is the equivalent of SANFL , SACA etc , all of which have player representation. 152979 anon is correct in saying that current ABL players ( and their long suffering parents ) have made contributions over many years( in my own case nearly 14 years ).

A players assoc. could have the benefit of lobbying for the implementation of ideas to improve the sport, and to get more people involved. More people = more money and more people benefit.

As for the involvement of ABL players with club activities, Quartz should realise that a large number of ABL players are Uni. students, and by the time they have studied, trained 2 or 3 times a week , played 2 times a week, worked a part time job and coached junior team there isn't any time left for committees.

Andrew White

i have a question-is the ABA a semi-pro league..do some guys like sebale threaatt (the guy who plays for werribee in the BIG V) get cash???