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AFLMA Newsletter #9 :: 27
March 2002
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The Newsletter of the AFL
Members Association
In this issue:
1) Reserved Seating
2) Membership Drive
3) AFLMA Game of the
Round/Year
4) AFLMA Bar
5) Election of New Committee
6) Contact details
RESERVED SEATING
Monday, 18 March, 2002 was
the day reserve seating for the 2002
Home & Away Season
became available to AFL Members. From the
sounds of it no-one had a
happy day, with long waits at
Ticketmaster7 agencies, the
system going down, etc. Some
members even discovered that
their membership cards were
missing a digit in their
barcode.
An interesting restriction
about the ticketing is that Colonial
Stadium Level 4 tickets would
only become available once Level
1 tickets were sold-out. For
matches that aren't fully-ticketed
this isn't a problem.
However, for the fully-ticketed games
(those involving either
Carlton or Essendon) it seems unfair to
those people who prefer
Level 4, and wanted to buy their
season's reserved seats in a
single visit to Ticketmaster7.
They couldn't buy their
Level 4 tickets on 18 March, and are
faced with the possibility
of continually going back to
Ticketmaster7.
In the days since 18 March the
AFL, Colonial and Ticketmaster7
have made a couple of
changes to the ticketing arrangements:
Two weeks out from a
Colonial Stadium match (with the exception
of Essendon Home matches),
for advertised fully ticketed
matches, AFL Members will be
able to purchase a level 4 seat.
Also, the cost of Level 4
tickets will be $1.10 juniors and
$5.00 for adults. This
represents a decrease from the Level 1
prices ($3.00 and $5.50) but
is still greater than the CPI
increase on last years
prices.
If you've already purchased
Level 1 tickets and wish to
exchange them for Level 4
(and get a refund for the difference)
you should contact the AFL
Membership department
((03) 9643-1900) and discuss
it with them.
MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
In Season 2002 an important
goal for the AFLMA is to build our
membership. We currently
represent about 3,000 AFL Members. A
larger membership will only
strengthen our relationship with
the AFL and enable us to
"promote and protect" AFL Member
benefits. Over the next few
years, while the MCG is being
redeveloped, things may get
worse before they get better. The
AFLMA has only just started
to galvanise support from the AFL
Membership and a lot of work
is required to build our membership.
Membership recruitment is something
where every AFLMA member
can get involved. Talk to
friends, work collegues, family, etc.
Every time you go to the
football you'll be surrounded by AFL
Members - tell them about
their Association. Encourage people
to contact us, to visit our
website, to get involved.
Tim Reddoch is able to
provide leaflets and sign-up sheets to
those AFLMA members who are
able to join in the membership
drive. Tim can be contacted
on 0402-256-517 or via e-mail on
mailto:timr@aflma.com .
It is only with your
continued support we will be able to go
into bat on your behalf and
kick some goals (to mix some
metaphors). Spread the word
to your fellow AFL Members. You can
join up as many members as
you can at our website www.aflma.com .
And remember the lines of
communication to the AFLMA Committee
are always open. You'll find
the contact details below.
AFLMA GAME OF THE YEAR
Earlier this week the AFLMA
announced its Game of the Year
award. We believe that AFL
Members are ideally suited to make
this award. The membership
isn't limited to supporters of any
one team and extends to
those without specific club allegience.
We are a group of people who
are among the most passionate
supporters around who
appreciate good football.
As you watch the football this
coming weekend, give a thought
to which was the best game
of the round. Early next week log
onto the AFLMA website
(www.aflma.com) and vote for your
choice. At the end of the
home and away season there'll be 22
weekly nominations, and
you'll have the opportunity to vote for
the Game of the Year.
AFLMA BAR
We have designated the Haydn
Bunton Bar in the Great Southern
Stand as an
"unofficial" meeting place for Association Members.
It'll be the place to gather
during games, to chat about issues
and to spread the word to
fellow AFL Members. So look out for
fellow AFLMA people in the
Bar during the course of the year.
ELECTION OF NEW COMMITTEE
The AFLMA's first Annual
General Meeting was held on 20 March,
and the feeling coming out
of the meeting was very positive.
Five people joined the
Steering Committee, joining the six
people who are continuing
their involvement. We believe this
make-up is a positive one,
providing a balance between on-going
experience and fresh ideas.
The committee is as follows:
Continuing:
Michael Agrotis (President)
Jim Brighthope (Vic-President)
Irwin Hirsh (Secretary)
John Papadakos
Ian Pike
Jeff Steel
New: Julie Azzopardi
Jay McGrath (Treasurer)
John Meehan
Greg Salter
Neil Watson
Another positive sign is
that the departing Steering Committee
Members (Michael Duke,
Michael O'Brien, Ross Symons, Steve
Teleki, and Tim Reddoch)
have indicated that they wish to
continue their involvement
with the AFLMA and will be working
in specific areas.
CONTACT DETAILS
Internet: http://www.aflma.com
Email: info@aflma.com
Telephone: 0412-125-533