PFA confirmed exclusive health insurance offer with RT Health

RT Health has confirmed an exclusive offer for A-League players, the offer features a 5% discount across most coverage levels and extended waiting period waivers.

Players who sign up before December 9 will receive six weeks of free coverage on Hospital and Extras packages, up from the standard four-week offer.

The deal requires players to select the Silver Plus Assure + Top Extras plan to meet their contractual obligations.

RT Health is an Australian-based Health Insurance company that has its roots in giving health care to working Australians and their families for 130 years. It has a close connection to the transport and railway working community.

Last year it merged with HCF, Australia’s largest not-for-profit health fund.

Under A-League player agreements, all professional footballers must maintain comprehensive private health coverage throughout their contract term.

The required insurance must cover hospital, medical, dental, physiotherapy, chiropractic, and orthotics treatments. This coverage must remain active during any injury or illness sustained while employed with their club.

Players who fail to maintain adequate health coverage may be financially exposed, clubs are only obligated to cover reasonable medical expenses up to the amount that would have been covered by the required insurance plan.

Players must also be prepared to provide evidence of their current coverage whenever club management requests it.

Erin Clout, PFA Head of Player Relations Women, has been vocal on the need for professional players to acquire high-grade health care.

“Each pre-season we remind our members that under their A-League contract, they are to hold top-level cover of a reputable private health provider,” she commented via press release.

“Without this, players can be held responsible for the costs of serious injury, which can cause significant financial and emotional stress. The partnership with RT Health provides our members peace of mind that they are not only meeting this requirement, but they are working with a provider with a long-standing history of supporting workers across Australia.

“We hope by building partnerships with like-minded companies such as RT Health, we can reduce the administrative burden of our members and keep their hard-earned money in their back pockets.”

With the strain and pressure of professional football finding even a good insurance deal can be a challenging ordeal, not to mention it is important to be aware of the health insurance with contractual regulations of A-League clubs.

RT Health is a captivating partner with its proud history of supporting the safety of Australian union-based workers and therefore a perfect fit for the union-based PFA.

This collaboration also symbolically helps the PFA tackle an age old stereotype of the professional footballer being indifferent to the average working Australian. Even professionals need health support and coming from a staunch worker based health insurance proves they have more in common with us all then they are sometimes given credit for.

The PFA is once again delivering on its promise to ease the everyday burden on players and this deal with the like-minded RT Health shows their partnerships are still focused on the core ideals of putting their members welfare and health first.

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Football Victoria partners with SportsAid for enhanced player safety

Football Victoria (FV) has confirmed a partnership with Sports Aid, which has been named the Official Medical Partner for all FV events.

The collaboration will ensure that participants in these prominent tournaments benefit from top-tier medical support and first aid services.

Established in 2023, Sports Aid has rapidly positioned itself as a leading provider of medical and safety expertise in Australian sport. Based in Melbourne, the organisation has expanded nationwide, offering its services at a variety of events, from grassroots sports to corporate tournaments.

With over 70 partnerships across the country, Sports Aid’s team of accredited professionals—including first aid responders, sports trainers, and event safety specialists—plays a pivotal role in promoting athlete welfare and event safety.

Under the alliance, Sports Aid will deliver medical personnel, including first aid responders and sports trainers, at FV’s major competitions and events throughout Victoria.

Their on-site presence will provide immediate medical assistance for injuries or health concerns, mitigate risks associated with physical activity, and enhance overall safety for players and spectators alike.

FV’s Executive Manager – Commercial, Chris Speldewinde spoke about the role Sports Aid will play in improving Victorian football.

“Their expertise ensures the safety of our participants, which is paramount in delivering outstanding sporting experiences.” he said in a press release.

Sports Aid’s founder, James Theodorakopoulos, also commented on the partnership.

“We are thrilled to be working with Football Victoria. Our primary focus is on safety, and we’re committed to ensuring that every player and participant has a seamless medical experience at FV events,” he said in a press release.

“It’s not just about responding to injuries, but also ensuring the overall well-being of everyone involved.”

Football Victoria adds Sports Aid on top of recent PILA, VETO Sports and Novotel Preston who all play a specific role in ensuring players involved with FV get the best out of their game.

FV have been focusing heavily on developing local football with facility upgrades, equipment partnerships as well as launching their GO Family football program aimed at improving fitness and building stronger family connections.

This specific partnership with Sports Aid is another that will play a positive role in the sport across the state.

FIFA, Qatar and world organisations launch Legacy Fund

FIFA has invested $76.7 million into the World Cup 2022 Legacy Fund, in collaboration with Qatar, the World Health Organisation (WHO), the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR).

Previously announced in November 2022, the fund will aid a number of social programs across the world.

To launch the Legacy Fund, the initiative was presented and signed on an online meeting.

Attendees included FIFA President Gianni Infantino, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WTO Director-General Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, and the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) Secretary General H.E. Hassan Al Thawadi.

The FIFA World Cup Legacy Fund will be deployed across the following streams:

Public Health/Occupational Health and Safety: The Legacy Fund will contribute to programs which aim to improve working conditions, and health and wellbeing. In particular, FIFA will support WHO’s Beat the Heat initiative, to protect people from the hazards caused by extreme heat and the advance of climate change.

Education: In conjuncture with the WTO and International Trade Centre, FIFA will bolster the Women Exporters in the Digital Economy Fund, a program which seeks to empower female entrepreneurs. 

Refugees: In partnership with the UNHCR, FIFA will assist schemes which aim to strengthen vulnerable peoples’ self-sufficiency and access to basic amenities.

Football development: FIFA will place greater emphasis on finding young talents across remote, marginalised and developing countries through the Aspire Academy and the FIFA Talent Development Scheme, headed by Arsène Wenger. 

FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed his pride for the Legacy Fund.

“The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Legacy Fund is a landmark project that builds on the unprecedented impact of the tournament from a sustainability point of view,” he said via press release.

“FIFA is taking the concept of a legacy fund to the next level in terms of reach and impact by tackling key priorities such as refugees, occupational health, education, and football development. I would like to thank the UN Refugee Agency, the World Health Organization and the World Trade Organization for their commitment to, and cooperation on, this historic initiative.”

WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, described the importance of the partnership.

“The worlds of sport and health must collaborate to create safe, clean and healthy environments for all people engaged in the preparation, delivery and legacy of mega sport events, including workers, athletes, spectators, and communities,” he said in a press release.

To learn more about the Legacy Fund, FIFA has launched a website.

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