Ex-players to gain from fund

THE idea modern footballers are selfish and greedy has taken a serious dent with AFL players putting aside $24.7 million for former players who need money to fix old injuries.

The Hardship Fund is being launched in Melbourne this morning, and will come out of a recent collective bargaining agreement. It will provide up to $8000 to cover costs for joint and dental injuries and funds for players who have career-ending injuries and are unable to find work.

The AFL Players’ Injury and Hardship Fund also offers support for hardship and income relief for delisted players who are unable to work due to football-related injury.

Swans premiership full back Ted Richards had some challenges with concussion at the end of his career but was one of the lucky ones to play till the age of 33 and chalk up 261 games.

“It’s very selfless of the current players to be respecting past players,” Richards said.

“To be putting aside a pool of the money for the players that have come before them and in many cases made big sacrifices is really generous.”

Richards has transitioned into life after football as a financial adviser at Six Park but the move has been challenging for many past players. The average AFL career lasts just six years and research has found 76 per cent of footballers leave the game with a serious injury and 64 per cent of those need ongoing treatment. “I’m very lucky to be able to get through the way I have,” Richards said.

“My knees and hips are great but they can be an ongoing injury for many people.

“But I’m still only 35 and degenerative injuries will become more prevalent in people’s 40s and 50s. That’s where it can affect your quality of life.”