Mike Fitzpatrick Scholarships announced

15 Sep 2004 - Jason Murnane

Twelve aspiring footballers from Victoria, Western Australia, Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia, aged between 15 and 17, will receive financial assistance and support in 2005 to hel them achieve their dream of playing football at the highest level.

Bashar Houli accepted his scholarship on behalf of all twelve recipients at the AFLPA's MVP night, on Friday 24th September.  The scholarships, named after Mike Fitzpatrick - Carlton legend, Rhodes Scholar and AFL Commissioner, recognise his outstanding efforts and achievement to combine football with academic excellence.  The Scholarships are designed to offer financial support to young players in their education and training while aspiring to an AFL career.  The program reinforces the Association's commitment to the future player education and welfare of AFL players.

Mike Fitzpatrick took leave from professional football in the 1970's to successfully complete a Rhodes Scholarship at Oxford, returning to Australia to captain Carlton from 1980 to 1983 and become a three time Premiership player.

"I'm very pleased to continue my support of this excellent program. 

“I strongly commend the AFLPA’s initiative to provide support for those players who have excellent football potential but for various reasons may be limited in their ability to fully develop,” he said.

“As a player I found it beneficial to devote time to academic and vocational skills and I believe the program sends a key message to junior footballers  -  that it is rewarding to balance enthusiasm for football with commitment to developing other life skills, particularly career skills – even though an off-field career might seem a long way off."

“Putting an effort into their education at an early age is a good way to assist young footballers to develop their careers while playing,” he said.

The Scholarships are awarded for the period from 1 January to 31 December, 2005. The recipient must remain in secondary school or its equivalent for the period of the grant and the funding can be used to directly pay for the education of a player or to reimburse him or his family for these expenses.

“The Mike Fitzpatrick Scholarship underlines the AFLPA’s key aim, to reinforce the value of a balanced life on and off the field,” AFLPA CEO Rob Kerr said.

“The scholarships are a way of encouraging young players to complete their schooling while giving them every chance of succeeding in football.”

Bashar Houli will accept the Scholarships on behalf of all thirteen, at the 2004 AFL Players’ Association Most Valuable Player Awards on Grand Final Eve at Melbourne’s Park Hyatt.

Past Mike Fitzpatrick Scholarship recipients include Luke Brennan (Hawthorn), Xavier Clarke (St Kilda) and Byron Schammer (Fremantle Football Club).

2005 Mike Fitzpatrick Scholarship Recipients

About the Scholarships

CRITERIA

Scholarships are available to players who have turned 15 but not yet reached 17 by 30 June in the year the scholarship is awarded.  The scholarship is for the period from 1 January to 31 December of the awarded year. The player must remain in secondary school or its equivalent for the period of the grant.    The grant has been given to the player to assist him to meet his educational commitments whilst developing as a footballer. The grant funding can be used to directly pay for the education of a player or to reimburse him or his family for these expenses.

APPLICATIONS

Kevin Sheehan, AFL National Talent Manager, distributes applications through the state leagues and via the AFL Players' Association. The 12-month scholarships are available Australia wide, however an AFL Club or a State League Club must nominate the applicant.

The Mike Fitzpatrick Scholarship Committee consist of Ken Fraser, Chairman of the AFLPA Education and Training Account Board, Kevin Sheehan, AFL National Talent Manager, Dr Rob Kerr, CEO, AFLPA and Lisa Milling, Education and Player Development Program Manager.