AFLPA support of past VFL/AFL players

5 May 2005 - Jason Murnane

The AFLPA acknowledges reports in today's Melbourne Age newspaper of the development of a welfare fund to support past AFL players. 

The AFLPA wishes to advise that whilst it is primarily concerned with the interests of current listed AFL players, amongst its current membership there is a fundamental recognition and appreciation of the contribution of many past players spanning several generations in growing our great game to where it is today.

The past players made the game strong and into what is arguably the most successful elite sporting competition in Australia.  The current players contribute enormously to this success and derive certain benefit from the position of the game today.  However many of the game's past players face similar football related health and medical issues as the current players, without having received a comparable level of support and assistance during and immediately following their careers.

The AFLPA, along with other people and organisations within the broader football industry has always sought to recognise the status and contribution of past players.  However when it comes to financially assisting past players with football related health and medical issues no single body has seriously stood up to take on the challenge. 

"The AFLPA is committed to developing a support program to fill the current void, however the precise nature and operation of this program is still to be determined," confirmed AFLPA Chief Executive Officer, Brendon Gale.

"It is likely that any significant program developed to support past players with football related health and medical issues will be an initiative of the current playing group who recognise the contribution of the players who have gone before them and the physical demands of Australian Rules Football," revealed Mr Gale.

"However the manner in which such a program is supported could potentially involve a range of interest and support groups in addition to the AFLPA, including past player groups as well as the corporate and philanthropic sectors."

"The aim of the AFLPA is to ensure that such a program is developed and administered with the degree of sensitivity, integrity and responsibility it deserves," Gale concluded.

The AFLPA already operates a hardship fund for past players from which small financial grants can be made, however the size of the existing fund provides for only limited support in specified circumstances.

The AFLPA will continue to investigate the feasibility of a past player health support program with its members over the ensuing months and will not be in a position to confirm the arrangements for funding and implementation of such a program until this process has been completed.