The AFL has today thanked the Queensland hospitality industry and the wider Queensland public and business community for helping the 2020 season continue as it released data on the code's economic contribution to the state.
AFL Chief Executive Gillon McLachlan said the support of the Queensland Government and community has resulted in more than 75 games – half the 2020 Toyota AFL premiership season – being fixtured in the state, with the Government also partnering with the AFL to hold the 2020 Toyota AFL Grand final on October 24.
"On behalf of the AFL, I wanted to say thank you to the Queensland hospitality and business community that has supported our AFL competition continuing in this state and also to pass on our appreciation to all the local Queensland people that have helped us over the past few months," Mr McLachlan said.
"Holding the matches here has not only provided an ongoing livelihood for many in our industry but also provided employment opportunities for venue and ground staff, security, food and beverage staff, delivery drivers and all the hotel staff.
By the end of the season, the AFL will have spent more than $60m in Queensland paying for flights, accommodation, food and use of facilities.
What that will mean to Queensland businesses is:
- More than 101,000 bed nights spent in Queensland hotels and resorts by AFL players, officials and families;
- More than 400,000 meals supplied for AFL players, officials and families staying in Queensland hotels and sourcing food from Queensland-based suppliers;
- Almost 10,000 rental days for cars and trucks to move people and equipment around;
- More than 950 bus trips provided by Queensland bus companies;
- More than 120 charter flights in and out of Queensland;
- Rental of 10 local gymnasiums, 18 sporting grounds as training fields and five recovery centres for teams.
"I wanted to personally pass on my thanks for all the support we have had from so many businesses – whether hotels, bus carriers, car rental firms, food suppliers, security firms, local football clubs, gymnasiums, maintenance people and a host of other local suppliers who have helped to support our clubs. There are also many Queensland retailers and suppliers that have provided clothing and goods to people in our high-performance centres."
He said an economic impact study for the AFL had shown the sport contributed more than $515m to the Queensland economy in 2019 and was responsible for generating more than 3400 jobs in Queensland (1800 direct and 1600 in jobs that indirectly benefit from football being played). He said with the 75 games and many players, officials and their families remaining in Queensland after their season ends, the contribution to the Queensland economy in bed nights, food and spending with local traders in 2020 would rise significantly.
Mr McLachlan also thanked all the staff of the hotels and local suppliers who had looked after the AFL players, officials, umpires and families and said he was looking forward to working with the Queensland Government to deliver an exciting finals series and the first ever AFL Grand Final to be held outside of Melbourne.
