AFL agency group Phoenix Management, headed up by former Essendon player Scott Lucas and Winston Rous, have been fined $3,000 (payable within 14 days) as they were in breach of conduct with prospective players in the Talent Pathways.
The AFLPA Agents' Accreditation Board (AAB) found that in October last year, the agency group followed a Talent Pathways player on social media, while the player's status on the Agent Portal was set to ‘no approaches at this time'.
A statement from the AFLPA: "This conduct amounted to multiple breaches of the Regulations, specifically, clauses 18.1.2, 18.1.5 and 18.1.6
- Clause 18.1.2 of the Regulations outlines a strict process that all Accredited Agents must adhere to when making an initial approach to a player. 18.1.2(d) clearly states that an approach includes direct contact or communication (whether in person, electronically or by other means, including via third party) with the player and/or their family.
- Clause 18.1.5 of the Regulations further prohibits Accredited Agents from approaching a player or their parents or legal guardians while a player's contact preferences on the Agent Portal are set to ‘no approaches at this time'.
- Clause 18.1.6 prohibits players from being approached or communicated with via any form of social media until at least three days after an official approach is made by an Accredited Agent via the Agent Portal.
"Phoenix Management will be donating the financial sanction to the Royal Children's Hospital Foundation.
"The Regulations exist to protect the rights and wellbeing of those players as children, allow them to focus on other key priorities including their schooling and education, and help them freely decide their representation when they are ready to do so."
