22 Nov 2005 - Campaign for improved insurance cover
Spen Allison, Chairman of the British Amateur Rugby League Association, today (Wednesday) stated that the current level of personal accident insurance cover provided for the amateur game is inadequate and announced his commitment to increase levels from the current maximum pay out of £50,000 to a new level of £200,000, thus matching the level of cover in the professional game.
Allison said: ?We believe that £50,000 is not an adequate level of insurance cover for players who suffer life-changing injuries especially when viewed against the long-term help that players may need after their injury. ?We have a responsibility as a game to our players and I am determined to achieve increase the levels of insurance cover available to them.
The cost would be an additional 50p-a-week per player which when you think about it is less than the cost of half a pint of beer and the cover would rise from £50,000 to £200,000. Jimmy Gittins, the Sharlston Rovers player who suffered a serious neck playing the game in 2002, endorsed the BARLA chairman?s position and said: ?I?m backing the campaign to provide increased benefits? its imperative that amateur players are properly covered.?
Phil Clarke, the Rugby Football League Benevolent Fund spokesman, said ?It?s great that BARLA has grasped this issue and are taking steps to address the situation. I?m encouraged that this initiative has Spen?s personal backing and would urge players and clubs to support this move.?
Allison said: ?We believe that £50,000 is not an adequate level of insurance cover for players who suffer life-changing injuries especially when viewed against the long-term help that players may need after their injury. ?We have a responsibility as a game to our players and I am determined to achieve increase the levels of insurance cover available to them.
The cost would be an additional 50p-a-week per player which when you think about it is less than the cost of half a pint of beer and the cover would rise from £50,000 to £200,000. Jimmy Gittins, the Sharlston Rovers player who suffered a serious neck playing the game in 2002, endorsed the BARLA chairman?s position and said: ?I?m backing the campaign to provide increased benefits? its imperative that amateur players are properly covered.?
Phil Clarke, the Rugby Football League Benevolent Fund spokesman, said ?It?s great that BARLA has grasped this issue and are taking steps to address the situation. I?m encouraged that this initiative has Spen?s personal backing and would urge players and clubs to support this move.?