Former NBL player Harry Froling wants to help all athletes after revealing hidden financial toll of the one-punch attack
If Harry Froling had been injured during a game or at training, he would have been financially covered. Instead, he was left at rock bottom to fend for himself. He wants that to change – and not just for basketballers.
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Former NBL player Harry Froling has called for increased Work Cover protection for all Australian athletes after revealing the hidden financial toll of the one-punch attack that temporarily ended his basketball career.
Froling’s life was turned upside down in 2023 when he was left with bleeding on the brain and a fractured skull and jaw after being punched outside a Wollongong nightclub.
The 26-year-old has opened up to Code Sports about the unexpected financial struggles he has faced during his recovery and now wants to work with the NBL and the Players’ Association to provide work cover for athletes who suffer injury or mishap away from the court like he did.
“If it (the punch) happened in a game or training I would have been covered, but because it happened outside the game there was no liability to cover me,” said Froling, who is determined to play at the highest level again.
“If I do get back and I’m playing again I want to get in those players’ association meetings and bring up work cover.”
Under the NBL collective bargaining agreement, if a player gets injured during a game the club must pay out 52 weeks of payments or until the player is fit and healthy to take the court again.
‘Meant to die’: Inside Harry Froling’s inspiring recovery from a one-punch attack that has him eyeing a remarkable comeback to basketball after repeatedly dodging death, overcoming depression and being told he'd never play again.
— Matt Logue (@mattlogue7) November 30, 2024
READ: @codebballauhttps://t.co/UgzB4Ssucjpic.twitter.com/mdONn8uK64
If the injury happens outside a game or training like it did for Froling, there is no cover for the player.
He also didn’t have income protection, leaving him out of pocket for three months. It took six months to receive his disability pension.
At present, work cover is run by each individual club who use state-based providers.
Some NBL clubs believe there is scope for every club to operate under the one work cover model.
Brisbane paid out the remainder of Froling’s contract in 2023, but opted not to take up a team option in his deal due to his serious injury.
Today the big man is in a happier place as he eyes a comeback to basketball next year via the NBL1.
Froling’s concerns about the protections for players isn’t isolated to basketball, with the Rugby League’s Players’ Association (RLPA) keen to see change.
When asked about the situation in the 13-man code in Australia, Work Cover is not applicable to rugby league players.
The history behind this is from the high risk of injury inherent in the sporting contest and perceptions that sport is play, not work, athletes are ‘players’, not ‘workers’, and the sporting field is not a workplace.
“Obviously, things have moved since then but the law hasn’t caught up,” a spokesperson from the RLPA said.
“This is an area we hope to see legislative change in moving forward.”
"He will die if we don't operate"
— Matt Logue (@mattlogue7) December 3, 2024
How @HarryFroling has overcome life saving brain surgery to eye an inspiring comeback to basketball via the @NBL1 and eventually the @NBL.
READ: @codebballauhttps://t.co/UgzB4Ssucjpic.twitter.com/jidZhZ3z1c
In the NRL, if a player suffered a similar one-punch fate they could apply for protection policies but according to the RLPA there is no certainty the claims would be successful.
The policies include:
• Private Health Insurance (PHI) would cover initial treatment. Where applicable, Travel Insurance may also assist alongside PHI coverage pending the nature of the injury.
• A Total Permanent Disablement (TPD) insurance claim could be made (fact-specific based on medical circumstances at the time).
Depending on the nature of the injury, the player could apply to one of the player support funds established via the CBA however, access to these funds is governed by the specific facts and circumstances of the relevant matter and in accordance with the rules of each fund.
Originally published as Former NBL player Harry Froling wants to help all athletes after revealing hidden financial toll of the one-punch attack
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