Culture

AFLW Players Are Getting A Pay Rise In 2019

The minimum wage is going up by almost $3000.

AFLW

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AFLW players are set to receive a pay rise in 2019, with the minimum wage jumping almost $3000.

The Herald Sun reported on Friday that the base wage for players in football’s elite women’s competition will go from $10,500 to $13,400, while players who compete in the finals will share a prize pool of $127,500.

The deal, which is expected to be signed off on by players next week, will bring wages to parity with the minimum wage for players in the male competition pro rata. AFLW players are limited to 13 hours training a week in the pre-season, and 10 hours a week in-season.

The news comes shortly after the AFL released the fixture for the 2019 season, which splits the competition into two seperate conferences to accommodate the addition of two new teams. The decision caused controversy when it was first announced, with many players and fans calling for the season to simply be extended in length.

The 2019 season will kick off on February 2 and run for seven weeks, before a two week finals series culminating with a Grand Final in the last week of March. Entry to games will remain free, with AFLW CEO Nicole Livingstone stressing the need to “grow the audience for AFLW”.