AFL Players Association chief Paul Marsh has resigned to return to his old job in cricket as the boss of Australian cricket’s players union.
The respective organisations made the announcement on Tuesday morning that Marsh would leave the AFLPA at the end of May, ending his 11 years at the helm.
Paul Marsh (left) has resigned from the AFL Players Association to return to cricket.Credit: Getty Images
Marsh, who entered football as an outsider having been well established in cricket circles, was a key player in multiple collective bargaining agreement negotiations.
His legacies include the joint CBA in 2023 which delivered male and female footballers a 37.1 per cent share of industry revenue, and the deal struck in 2017 which saw the introduction of a percentage share of industry revenue.
The revenue share model has been part of cricket’s pay structure since 1997.
Marsh’s departure from the AFLPA continues a changing of the guard for the organisation, coming after Collingwood captain Darcy Moore’s succeeded Geelong champion Patrick Dangerfield as president.
“I’m proud to have served the AFLPA and its members for nearly 11 years, and it’s a role I’ve absolutely loved,” Marsh said in a statement.
“It has been incredibly challenging but also rewarding and I trust I leave with the AFLPA in a better place than when I started.
“I make this decision with a heavy heart. What we do is primarily about people and I’ve been so fortunate to have worked with an incredible group of staff, board members, delegates, and members. I’ve made lifelong friends and hopefully have been able to positively impact some people’s lives along the way.
“I am excited about the opportunities and challenges that are ahead at the Australian Cricketers’ Association and am looking forward to getting started in June.”
Paul Marsh.Credit: Getty Images
“I want to extend a huge thank you to the AFLPA Board who are an outstanding group of people that do an amazing job representing our members, as well as our staff who are passionate and driven player advocates.”
Moore thanked Marsh for his service.
“Marshy has been a true player advocate and all current and past players have been extremely fortunate to have had him in our corner for as long as we have,” Moore said.
“What he has achieved for players in his 11 years at the helm can’t be understated. The game is in as good a shape as it has ever been and the playing group have never been in as strong a position.
Marsh’s signing is a fillip for the ACA, which lost former CEO Todd Greenberg to the top job at Cricket Australia.
Marsh headed the ACA from 2005-14 but returns to cricket at a time when relationships between players and head office have been rebuilt after the acrimony of the 2017 pay war and the fallout from the 2018 ball tampering scandal.
The cricket landscape, though, has changed markedly since he last worked in the sport due to the rise of domestic Twenty20 leagues around the world.
“I am extremely excited to be coming back to work at the ACA at a time when there are so many challenges and opportunities in cricket and for an organisation I have so much passion and respect for,” Marsh said.
“The past 11 years at the AFL Players Association have been incredibly rewarding and I will miss the organisation and people greatly. But I am ready for a new challenge and the ACA and cricket more broadly offers plenty of these.
“I can’t wait to get started in June and look forward to re-connecting with many in the cricket community but also building new relationships with our members and other stakeholders to grow the game and the opportunities for all ACA members.”
ACA chair, Greg Dyer, who held a senior position when Marsh was last working in cricket, said the incoming chief was well-equipped for the job.
“Paul has an unmatched depth of experience and expertise, having spent close to two decades at the head of Australia’s leading player associations. Cricket is in his blood – his passion for our game and its players is obvious.
“We feel very fortunate to have attracted him back to cricket as we navigate significant change in the global landscape.”
More to come
