HFC PP&OA WELFARE FUND

The HFC PP&OA Welfare Fund was an initiative on the HFC PP&OA to assist a member of the HFC PP&OA (see guidelines for further information on eligibility) who is in genuine need of help. The creation of the Fund is at the very core of what our Association represents. The help provided by the Welfare Fund may not always be in the form of financial assistance, but rather a broad spectrum of support mechanisms to help in whatever area is deemed necessary in the best interest of the member.

It is to be as it was when we played, and as it is now…It is “all for one and one for all”.

Guidelines for operation of the Welfare Fund

1. Purpose

The purpose of the Welfare Funds is to assist past players and officials of the Hawthorn Football Club (the Club) suffering from physical, financial or emotional difficulties. With respect to past players, it is anticipated that the person will have played at least one official game for the Club in the VFL, AFL or AFLW competition.

2. Welfare Fund Committee (WFC)

2.1 (a) A WFC will be established to administer the Welfare Funds. The WFC will include 4 persons nominated by the Committee of the Association from time to time. The Committee will nominate a Chairperson of the WFC from one of the 4 members nominated.

2.1 (b) Additionally, the WFC must include:

(i) a director of the Club; and

(ii) a Doctor of Medicine, who may be one of the 4 members nominated by the Committee or the director nominated by the Club or may be an additional member.

2.2 The Committee will confirm the members of the WFC each year at the Association's annual general meeting.

3. Welfare Funds

3.1 The WFC will seek to maintain a minimum balance of $15,000 in each of the bank accounts in each of the Welfare Funds. Two bank accounts will be maintained comprising the funds of each of the Welfare Funds from time to time. Income of the Welfare Funds may be added to the capital of the Funds from time to time. Gifts, whether from the Association, members of the Association or elsewhere, may be added to the Welfare Funds from time to time.

3.2 The WFC may apply the Welfare Funds (either income, capital, or both) for the purpose noted at item 1 above or related purposes determined in the discretion of the WFC to be appropriate, whether in response to an application of a member of the Association or otherwise. The WFC will seek to limit applications of the Funds to a maximum of $10,000 in any individual case.

4. Proceedings of the WFC

4.1 The WFC will meet at least once in each six-month period and will hold such further meetings as may from time to time be necessary or desirable.

4.2 At any meeting of the WFC, 3 members of the WFC shall form a quorum.

4.3 Decisions of the WFC need not be unanimous but must be by a majority of those members present and voting at any meeting. In the event only 3 WFC members are present and such members all differ in opinion on any matter, the determination of such matter will be postponed.

4.4 Decisions to allocate or spend amounts of $10,000 or more must be approved unanimously by all members of the WFC.

5. Record of proceedings

5.1 The WFC will keep a record of its proceedings. The WFC will report to the Committee of the Association at least annually on key determinations that the WFC has made during the year and the amounts held in each of the Welfare Funds at the time of the report.

6. Remuneration

No member of the WFC will receive any remuneration for his or her services as a WFC member.

Donation for the Past Player Welfare Fund

AFL Players Association (AFLPA)

Our association works very closely with the AFLPA regarding our members and offer our advocacy if needed and support to benefits available to past players through the AFLPA (injury and hardship fund).

We encourage all past players to join the AFLPA Players Alumni (token one off membership fee applies) to take advantage of significant benefits.

What is the AFL Players' Alumni?

The AFL Players’ Association offers AFL Players’ Alumni memberships to any former AFL/VFL Player who has played at least one AFL/VFL game during their career. All qualifying players are welcome to join and share in the growing range of services and benefits only available to this unique group of men.