Hall of Fame game players to donate $250,000 to charity

6 May 2008 - Jason Murnane

The donation of $5,000 per player in match fees to three causes by the 50 players to feature in the Hall of Game tribute game was announced today by AFLPA Executive Committee Member Luke Power, AFLPA Club Delegate Matthew Pavlich and AFLPA CEO Brendon Gale.

The beneficiaries of the players' match payments will be:

• Former VFL / AFL players via the AFLPA Past Player Hardship Fund
• Homeless youth via the Ladder Program
• Remote indigenous communities via RecLink Australia

In the true spirit of the Hall of Fame concept, current players will honour the contributions of former VFL / AFL players by directing $100,000 of the donated funds to the AFLPA Past Players Hardship Fund to assist those former VFL / AFL players with health related hardships.  

Former North Melbourne player and AFLPA past player advisory board member Frank Goode was pleased to accept the donation on behalf of former VFL / AFL players.

"The donation of match fees by the Hall of Fame players to support those past players in hardship is a terrific gesture by the current crop of AFL stars.  Current players are very aware of the contribution former players have made to making the game what it is today," Goode said.

Ladder, the AFLPA / AFL Foundation charitable initiative which is currently working with the Victorian and South Australian State Governments' to harness the power of AFL players to help tackle youth homelessness, is to receive $100,000, which will help the project get one step closer to its bold dream of opening a 'Ladder' facility in every state of Australia. 

Ladder Project Manager Mark Bolton said the $100,000 would help fund the innovative Ladder initiative provide mentoring training to AFL players.

"We've had a tremendous response from AFL players wishing to get involved with Ladder.  These funds will help us provide players with the skills to help make a real difference in the lives of young people involved with Ladder."  Bolton said.

RecLink Australia, a provider of sporting and recreational opportunities for disadvantaged people will receive $50,000 to develop 18 football teams across 4 regions in the Central Desert of Australia.

According to RecLink CEO Adrian Panozzo, "By creating a football team in a remote community you're effectively giving that community another way to express their identity. By having football played in these communities develops a sense of pride and involvement that can't otherwise be

created. The sense of anticipation that a community feels in the days leading up to a match creates a positive purpose amongst those who would otherwise be disconnected or have to leave their community to simply play or watch a game of football." 
 
Triple Premiership Brisbane Lion & AFLPA Executive Committee Member Luke Power, who will represent Victoria in Saturday's game, was pleased that the current crop of AFL stars was able to make a meaningful contribution to the three organisations to receive funding.   

"The Hall of Fame game is a terrific way for current players to pay tribute to those players to have come before us as well as provide some serious funding to the Past Player Hardship Fund, Ladder and RecLink.  All three groups are doing some great things within the community and we're pleased that as players we can provide a tangible benefit to help with their valuable work."  Power said.
 
ABOUT THE THREE PROJECTS TO RECEIVE A DONATION
The AFLPA Hardship Fund - to receive $100,000
The AFLPA Past Player Hardship fund offers assistance to former AFL / VFL players who have health related hardships.  Financial assistance is channelled through each clubs' past player group and is governed by the AFLPA Past Players Advisory Board, chaired by AFLPA Executive Committee Member Simon Madden.

Since its inception, the Fund has distributed over $80,000 to a number of former VFL / AFL players Australia wide.

Ladder - $100,000
Ladder is the AFLPA / AFL Foundation initiative harnessing the power of AFL players to help tackle youth homelessness.  Ladder is working towards providing integrated housing, employment, education, and mentoring services for young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, so that they may develop independent living skills and community connections.  Ladder facilities are planned for introduction into Melbourne & Adelaide with the hope that the system goes national in the future.

The AFL player donated money will assist Ladder train selected AFL players to deliver mentoring to young homeless people involved in the program.

RecLink - $50,000
RecLink is a not-for-profit charitable organisation which provides access to sporting and recreational opportunities for disadvantaged people.  This year, RecLink will facilitate 28 homeless and disadvantaged teams participating in organised competitions across Victoria and the Northern Territory.

While it is widely known that Australian Football is popular throughout Indigenous communities - their love of the game is not always easily translated into participation. For those living in remote communities the real opportunity to play often involves many hours of travel and sometime days away from home. RecLink Australia has already developed successful partnerships in a number of communities. Combined and with the support of the AFLPA, RecLink will develop a total of 18 teams established in 4 regions in the Central Desert of Australia. Their unique competition culminates in each team playing in a Grand Final in a celebration of football, indigenous culture and community.