[ad_1]
The AFL has responded to criticism after it asked for volunteers to be apart of the Grand Final entertainment.
The league came under fire from many in the entertainment industry after a casting call was revealed, asking for “volunteer performers” for “a large scale event in Brisbane on the 24th of October 2020”.
That was in reference to the Grand Final, which will be held at the Gabba for the first time.
Watch the 2020 Toyota AFL Finals Series on Kayo with every game before the Grand Final Live & On-Demand. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
TRADES STATE OF PLAY: Every club, every player and every pick
“For this large scale performance to take place we are seeking strong performers who are 15 years and over to take part as a volunteer performer,” it said.
“This will be a once in a lifetime opportunity for them, as it will be the largest mass scale televised event of the year.
“All performers will be engaged as volunteer performers.”
That saw many on social media question why the performers would not be paid.
“Australian choreographer asking dancers (who have lost pretty much their entire years wage in 2020) to dance for FREE at the AFL Grand Final because there is ‘no money in the budget’ for them, but it would be a ‘once in a lifetime experience.’, actor Christie Whelan tweeted.
However on Sunday night, the AFL issued a statement, explaining it often asks for volunteers to take part in its major events.
It added the volunteers would be in addition to professional musicians and singers who would be paid for their performances.
“As part of most of our major events – including our Grand Finals – we provide an opportunity for volunteers from the local community to be involved in part of our on-ground activations,” the statement read.
“Having volunteers or community groups involved in on-ground mass activations is something that we and other major sports and major public events have been doing for decades and is in addition to paying professional musicians and singers to provide entertainment on stage.
Get all the latest AFL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!
“With the 2020 AFL Grand Final being in Queensland for the first time, our executive producers Cochrane Entertainment and our production team have asked local Queensland community and amateur dance clubs and physie movement groups to take part in a mass activation that is in addition to organising paid singers and musicians to perform on stage.
“Having the community involved in our biggest day is important and the choreographed activity that will be undertaken by hundreds of volunteers was designed to involve community members and amateur dancers. it was never intended or designed as a performance by professional dancers and no professional or paid dancers were approached to be involved in the segment.”
Cochrane Entertainment’s Thea Jeanes-Cochrane said major events including the 2018 Commonwealth Games and Katy Perry’s performance at the 2020 Cricket Women’s World Cup used volunteers.
“There was never any intention to take work from professional dancers – it was always designed to provide an opportunity for members of local dance clubs and physie groups to participate,” Cochrane said.
[ad_2]
Source link