AFLPA's $2m scheme to help past players
Michael Gleeson
The Age
October 5, 2006
AFL players will underwrite a $2 million a year program to provide health care and financial help to all former AFL and VFL players.
The benevolent scheme by current footballers comes from a determination to honour the players who built the game so that today's generation could derive the financial benefit they now reap.
The AFL Players Association's new Health Kick scheme includes a commitment to cover the excess for any hospital visit required by a former player, regardless of whether the illness or ailment was football-related. This guarantee to pay the hospital excess applies to footballers of any age who have played at least one senior AFL or VFL match.
In addition, the players will set aside $80,000 a year — the equivalent of $5000 per club per year — to be available to players who have fallen on financial hardship as a result of poor health.
The past players' group, the X Men, and the various clubs' past players' associations will be consulted in determining a player's eligibility.
"This will have a profound impact on past and present AFL players and their families," AFLPA chief executive Brendon Gale said.
Previously assistance to players relied primarily on the benevolence and capacity of clubs to help. This year Richmond players intervened to help reclusive premiership player Terry Smith, who was gravely ill and struggling financially. Smith died recently after a battle with cancer.
"We estimate this will apply to 7000 current and past players and in fact covers any person who has ever played a senior game of footy in AFL/VFL in the history of the game," Gale said.
The AFLPA will cover the first year of health insurance after a player retires and will pay the $500 excess for each hospital visit. All past players are required to become members of the AFLPA for a one-off nominal fee before taking up a Medibank health insurance policy at a discounted rate.
The Health Kick scheme is guaranteed until at least 2011, but it is expected to survive beyond that initial five years.
"At this stage it is for life. It is enormous, it is a massive commitment by current players to honour the contribution made by the players before who made the game what it is today," Gale said.
http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2006/10/04/1159641394096.html
