HealthKICK - a landmark health support program for current and past players

6 Dec 2006 - Jason Murnane

The 'AFLPA HealthKICK' program was developed over an 18-month period by the Australian Football League Players' Association (AFLPA) and is supported by Australia's largest private health insurer, Medibank Private.

The multi-tiered program has been designed to support AFL players, past and present, many of whom suffer long-term poor health as a result of injuries and physical conditions sustained while playing Australian rules football.

"AFLPA HealthKICK is an innovative program not only for football but also Australian sport generally," said Mr Madden, a former Carlton champion.

"The AFLPA and Medibank Private ought to be commended for their combined efforts in developing a partnership program that sets a new benchmark in the way AFL players - and perhaps in time, those of other sporting codes - will be supported long-term," he said.

HEALTH COVER ASSISTANCE

AFLPA HealthKICK came about after the AFLPA became increasingly concerned at the growing number of former AFL/VFL players seeking health related assistance from the association.
According to AFLPA CEO, Brendon Gale, AFL football is widely recognised as one of the most physically demanding sports in the world.

"Players rely on high quality medical treatment and support to recover from matches and injuries of a potentially severe nature," he said.

"After extensive consideration, the AFLPA decided that one of the most equitable, sustainable and practical ways to provide health-related support to past players was to encourage and assist them to maintain or take up private health insurance.
 
"By having private health insurance, a whole range of health services become both affordable and accessible for ex-players, not just for football-related injuries but also their long-term health and wellbeing.

"The AFLPA has been able to take advantage of its collective bargaining power to secure an outstanding deal for our past players. Under this plan, private health insurance will never be more affordable," he said.

According to Gale, while the health insurance elements currently make up a bulk of HealthKICK, the association has also earmarked other initiatives for the program, including a series of health and wellbeing grants for former players in need.

ACCESS FOR PAST PLAYERS

Under the AFLPA Health KICK program, the association will cover the costs of Medibank Priority Gold health insurance for every listed player during the course of his career; the cover will continue for a period of 12 months following the end of his AFL career.

Until now, AFL players have had to take out their own health cover and the cost of such insurance has been borne by the players individually.

At the end of their careers and beyond, players have been encouraged to maintain private health insurance to ensure they continue to receive support to deal with chronic injuries and degenerative conditions caused during their time playing professional football.

Therefore, the AFLPA has arranged a corporate health insurance plan to enable all its members, whether current or past players, to continue, or take up their cover with Medibank Private with a choice of insurance options.

"The opportunity to participate in this plan is being extended to every player who has ever played a senior AFL/VFL match in the history of the competition," said Gale.

Importantly, for those taking out the cover, the AFLPA would pay the hospital excess fee should the player require treatment, regardless of whether the injury or ailment is football-related.

George Savvides, Medibank Private's Managing Director says Medibank Private is proud to partner with the AFLPA on this ground-breaking initiative for its members.

"Medibank Private has an enviable reputation in the health and wellbeing marketplace. Our new partnership with the AFLPA cements it further.

"Our Priority corporate product will be a key element of the association's new HealthKICK program. Priority's health and wellbeing component is a further value-add component, helping the athletes and their families to proactively manage their health.

"Medibank Private is an advocate for healthy and active lifestyles at all levels of the Australian community. And, our status as Australia's largest private health insurer makes us the logical choice for this national association - and all Australians interested in managing their health and wellbeing."

GEOFF PRYOR BENEFITS SCHEME

AFLPA HealthKICK will also feature the 'Geoff Pryor Benefits Scheme', a program that assists past players who are unable to treat health-related problems or maintain private health insurance due to financial hardship.

"The AFLPA is pleased to be in a position to introduce an annual round of grants to assist individuals in this area," Gale said.

Each year, the AFLPA will invite the Past Player Committee of each of the 16 AFL Clubs to consider and nominate past players who are in particular need of financial assistance to attend to health-related issues.

"The AFLPA will reimburse nominated past players for the cost of any treatment or related procedures, up to $5000 per club, per year," Gale said.

The grants program has been named in honour of inaugural AFLPA President and former Essendon Premiership player Geoff Pryor, and acknowledges his ground-breaking work in forming an association to further the interests and welfare of professional Australian rules footballers.

	If you are a past VFL / AFL player and would like more information on the AFLPA HealthKICK inititative, please suppply your name, address, telephone number and email address in the feedback form below.    Issue*  Do you wish to be contacted about your feedback? Select:*  Yes  No   Email address