Player points system for Vic community football updated for 2024

AFL Victoria has updated the Player Points System (PPS) and will bolster its support for community football clubs and leagues, following a review conducted in conjunction with the Community Club Sustainability Program (CCSP) Advisory Group on rules regarding player payments and points allocations.

Having consulted stakeholders from across community football and gathered feedback from metropolitan and country leagues and clubs, the modifications take into consideration the various pathways players take across the state that lead to senior community football and the challenges faced by clubs.

An assessment of player pathways identified that after seven seasons, the policy needed to be reviewed to make it easier for clubs and leagues to attract one-point players, where the player pathway has previously made it prohibitive. The review determined that the system requires localised solutions which are best managed at the metropolitan league or country region level.

Where the player pathway from junior to senior football in an area or region can restrict clubs being able to access one-point players, a metropolitan league or regional body may now adopt By Law clauses which create a clearer player pathway between junior and senior clubs. All By Laws clauses must be approved by AFL Victoria following endorsement by the CCSP Advisory Panel, with the definition of the one-point category variable depending on local conditions.

The adoption of specific league or region By Laws is not compulsory nor automatic and it is not expected that all leagues or regions will seek to deviate from the current policy interpretations.

The inclusions of any By Law conditions are not retrospective and will only apply from the 2024 season.

AFL Victoria have also established a CCSP Integrity Program which will support the delivery of the CCSP at club, metropolitan league and country region level. CCSP toolkits for clubs, leagues and regions will guide and simplify the processes, provide links to key documents and establish important dates throughout the year for the management of the CCSP.

The Integrity Program will provide a level of administrative capacity from a CCSP Integrity Team with Accredited Integrity Compliance Coordinators and Accredited Integrity Officers to help community football stakeholders, ensure consistency across the program and mitigate risks.

The CCSP Integrity Program team will include:

• An Integrity Lead to oversee the program
• AFL Victoria to manage the CCSP Policy and the CCSP Advisory Group
• Accredited Integrity Compliance Coordinators to provide CCSP compliance checks and support
• Accredited Integrity Officers who shall conduct CCSP APP Integrity Reviews

The implementation of structured practices and protocols for clubs, leagues and regions will be managed by trained and accredited individuals who, working as part of a broader team, will support community football bodies in the management and integrity of the CCSP.

For competing 2024 Grand Finalists and as deemed necessary, integrity reviews of clubs will be conducted by the Integrity Team under the guidance and support of the AFL Victoria Integrity Lead.