MEMBERS' CONFUSION AT AFL BACK-FLIP ON MEMBERSHIP

Media Release: 02/2002
27 March 2002

AFL Members have received confused messages from a current telemarketing campaign in which the AFL seeks to hang on to disgruntled members by offering them unconditional "Absentee Membership".

Absentee Membership (cost $80) keeps the member's name current but does not enable them to attend any games or confer any other benefits.

"Following such controversies as Grand Final ticketing and the giving away of thousands of seats to the Medallion Club, Year 2002 is looking like the worst ever for renewals in the history of AFL Membership", said Mr Michael Agrotis, AFLMA President.

"Many other members who've already paid in full might have appreciated the chance to sit out a year and see what the AFL is going to do to improve the lot of ordinary members - and if the promises they made were kept. Unfortunately, this unconditional absentee membership is only being offered to those who didn't send in their full subscription by the due date."

The 2002 terms and conditions booklet stresses that Absentee Membership is available only to members who are going to living overseas or interstate, or who can put in writing extenuating circumstances that will be judged by a special AFL committee. Applicants were expected to provide statuatory declarations and even photocopied airline tickets to support their case.

Now, it seems, any member who has not yet paid their 2002 subscription is free to take it out, and is actively being offered it by AFL telemarketers.

"One of the key issues AFL Members have communicated to us is their dislike of the AFL changing their policies on the run", said Mr Agrotis, "This is yet another example."

The AFLMA was formed in response to members' concerns about how the AFL is looking after membership entitlements. The association serves to promote the interests of the 50,000 AFL Members who are among football's most loyal supporters.

The AFLMA web page is located at: http://www.aflma.com/
Contact the AFLMA on 0438-104-330 or email mailto:media@aflma.com