
Issue No 84		16 February 2001

LaborNET	Ask Neale	Tool of the Week

Sport

Organising on the Forward Line

Interview with Noel Hester

Sure we're biased but we think Adam Goodes is on a career path to greatness in AFL football. Adam talks to Workers Online about playing with Plugger, stamping out racism in sport and his role as the union delegate at the Sydney Swans.

Why are you in the AFL Players' Association?

It's an opportunity to take on more responsibility. I'd only just finished my first year in the seniors. I thought it would be another leadership role that would improve my football and my people skills.

What are the important issues for AFL players at the moment?

We certainly have a lot of issues - number one is player welfare. Like any union the AFLPA looks after workers and makes sure they are happy where they are. The AFLPA gets every player a computer and make sure they are set up with study grants so they can broaden their horizons and can get a job after football. It's a great idea. I have no idea what I want to do after football but I've applied for a computer scholarship and that's all paid for by AFLPA.

What are your responsibilities as a delegate at the Swans?

One of my responsibilities is to be a contact for any information from the AFLPA. I pass on players surveys or profiles or membership news. We meet a couple of times a year for delegates meetings to discuss any issues coming up. I get a lot of info by email and I talk regularly with people in Melbourne.

Do you enjoy it?

It's great. It's a great opportunity. I step outside my comfort zone. I give players a voice and I get to talk to them about what's going on.

Do you think the AFL has shown a good example to other codes in the way they've combatted racism?

Definitely, they've set the standard for the whole of Australia really in sport. They've introduced a code of conduct. If players don't follow it they get fined or suspended. Ten years ago that wouldn't have happened. It's a lot easier for a young guy like myself to come into AFL football and just go out and play. I know 10 to 15 years ago what a struggle it was for Aboriginal players just to get out there on the field and have a kick - and blokes giving it to them tough as well.

What's your favourite moment as a Swan?

There's heaps. Playing with Tony Lockett. Playing in the game when he got his 1300th goal. Winning the Norwich Rising Star award. Playing finals.

You were the Norwich Rising star two years ago. Has it brought extra pressures on you as a player?

There's extra awareness by opponents and they're trying to put extra pressure on you. I'm better known and they take more notice of you.

And the $64,000 question Adam. Will the Swans win the flag this year?

The way we're training and with the enthusiasm at camp we give ourselves every chance to play in the finals this year. And once you're in the finals anything can happen. The spirit's good and we're training really well.

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  Issue 84 contents

Interview: Life After Wartime
After ten years representing the interests of the labour movement in Parliament, Jeff Shaw is back at the bar. And loving it.

Legal: Why the Freeloaders Should Pay
Michael Costa explains why service fees are not only fair - they are economically rational.

Organising: Young Activists Bask in Union Summer
Sydney students have spent three weeks of their summer holidays experiencing on-the-ground work with unions.

Unions: Things Are Looking Up On The Dock
After six years as a call centre worker, Marios Ellas has joined the union movement. Here's his first impressions.

History: Trades Hall ï¿½ The Royal Connection
Republic, who needs it when we have the Trades Hall decreed by Royal Imprimatur? So tug your forelock as work commences to restore the building.

International: Greetings from Hong Kong
Chan Wai-Keung from the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions outlined the challenges facing Hong Kong workers.

Politics: One Nation - The Old Labor Link
The resurgence in One Nation in the WA election has the pundits again reaching for the tea-leaves. But are they pouring from the wrong pot?

Review: Elect the Ambassador
Labor frontbencher Duncan Kerr unveils his vision for a new international democracy.

Satire: Man Buys Big Issue for the Articles
A Melbourne businessman claims his recent purchase of the "Big Issue" was due to his interest in the magazine's editorial content.

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