AFL clubs will reportedly no longer be permitted to conduct skinfold testing on prospective draftees, in another step towards prioritising player mental health.
Veteran journalist Caroline Wilson reported the league last week informed teams via a memo of the decision which impacts all players inside or eligible to be inside the Talent Pathways programs, on route to the AFL Draft.
While skinfold tests themselves are an old-fashioned measure of body fat percentage it will give teams less information on player fitness – and ensure players are not ‘fat shamed’.
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It follows the removal of player weight information from the yearly season guide for similar mental health and privacy reasons.
“Body Composition assessments (excluding height and weight) will not be conducted in any Talent Pathways programs or on any athletes that are eligible to compete in the Pathways programs,” the memo from Dr Kate Hall and Grant Williams read.
“Body weights will only be measured by qualified High Performance/Sport Scientists, Sports Dietitians, or Medical Practitioners, in a safe and private setting. All data collected must be kept private.”
Wilson added on Nine’s Footy Classified: “And for the women players, they don’t have to be weighed at all unless they put their hand up.
“But the end of skinfolds did raise the eyebrow of some clubs who think there are some reasons you do skinfolds other than body-shaming players about their weight.”
In response Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes questioned the call, saying: “You have to wonder whether that prepares them the best possible way for the challenges that they are going to face once they get into the system.
Essendon legend Matthew Lloyd went harder, declaring: “I think the world’s gone mad.
“I’ve never known a player in my time that didn’t take it for what it was. You get your skinfolds done and you go, you know what, I’m at the level, I’m above the level (that’s allowed).
“I was above the level for a period of time and it was a massive wake-up call, and you’ll be training the next six Sundays.”
Host Craig Hutchison made the counterargument this is “a younger generation who are more socially aware and perhaps in a more progressive society, they would argue that can intensify anxiety and mental health (issues).”
Lloyd abruptly responded: “I reckon you’ll struggle with the game anyway if you can’t cope with that.”
Source Agencies
