FOOTBALL INSURANCE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5121, 4 May 1927, Page 1

FOOTBALL INSURANCE.

PLAINS UNION’S PROPOSAL. OUTLINE OF SCHEME. At the annual meeting of the Ilauraki Plains Rugby Union a committee was appointed to report to the union at a subsequent meetins; as to the advisability of inaugurating a union insurance scheme for players. Tnis was done, and the committee was instructed to circularise the clubs with the following outline of the suggested scheme. “In the past the. premiums demanded by insurance companies to cover footballers against accident on the football Held has been prohibitive to the majority of players. The benefits from such policies have been more libera] than this or any other union scheme could offer, but past experience has shown that about 95 pet cent, of the players could not avail themselves of the. benefits offered on account of the initial outlay in premium. Past experience has also shown that players—especially young players'—who have been unable from their meagre earnings to insure themselves against football accidents have been unfortunate enough to jneet with accident, and 'have been laid up sometimes for a long period, dependent only on their clubmates’ generosity and their own future earnings. Such cases usually mean that the good old game loses a promising player for ever, unless there is some means by which he' may be assured that during incapacitation by accident he- is getting what is his right to sustain him during the term of his disability, and is feeling independent of any charitable assistance. “The. scheme suggested by the committee as outlined below is intended to assure a measure of financial assistance to all players injured on the field of play, while the premium is spread over the whole season and will not hurt the pocket of the smallest wage-earner.

“We are directed to respectfully request that you should convene a full meeting of your club and earnestly consider the following proposals. Remember that all payments by clubs and players go directly to a separate account, and can be used for no other purpose than that of. succouring injured players. Your club is asked to submit any suggestions or alterations to the following

“Levy on each club for season £5 5s (payment as soon as scheme is adopted). As the personnel of a team is handed to the referee the. sum of Is 6d per match in the case of seniors and Is in the case of. juniors and third grade collected from the players will also be handed in. Any playe.rs not paying this contribution will not be covered against accident in this particular match;

“Doctors’ expenses will be borne by the fund, but not hospital fees.

“Accidents on the field must be reported and the report be in the hands of the secretary of the union, accompanied by the doctor’s certificate, by the Tuesday following the match in which the injury is received. The referee will embody in his report all accidents coming under Ms notice, but the player’s report must be furnished in addition.

“Benefits. —For senior players £1 10s per week for 13 weeks. For juniors and third grade £1 per week for 13 weeks.

“Should the- accidents incurred j.n the initial season of this scheme be few, the. charges will be reduced next season, or, alternatively, should they be heavy, an additional levy on clubs may be the result.

“This scheme has been approved by the union delegates as a whole, and as it is essential, in the opinion of the Union, that it should be put on foot at once, kindly notify the secretary of the union at your earliest convenience of your club’s decision, and recommendations if any.”