FOOTBALL INSURANCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21295, 23 September 1932, Page 5

FOOTBALL INSURANCE

BOYS' HIGH SCHOOL TEAM# SCHEME IN CHRISTCHURCH The insurance scheme for Rngby footballers at the Christchnrch Boys' High School, believed to be the only pn© in operation in any secondary school in New Zealand, has just concluded its second year and, according to the sports manager at the school, Mr. W. M. Stewart, the committee is well pleased with the results. "As far back as 1920—in the days when we had some big lads at school who played hard football and took hard knocks—we had an idea in our minds for an insurance scheme at the school,'* said Mr. Stewart. "There was no special fund, but realising the pull that medical expenses were on a lot of parents, we decided to pay out of the school fund in certain cases. We never paid out more than two guineas to any boy, however. - As the scheme grew, of course, the claims become more numerous, but it was not until 1931 that we considered laying down any hard and fast rules. "Last year the scheme was heavily patronised and more than 160 boys paid their 2s—the sum of money decided upon to cover insurance—into the fund. This year the number is much less, probably owing to the general unsettled conditions. "We have made several adjustments this year. In 1931 nearly the whole of the funds were eaten up in heavy massage and X-ray bills. This year we have altered the words 'medical expenses* to 'doctors' fees,' which absolves us from - the necessity of paying for anything but actual doctors' visits. We would have liked to have covered everything but, at the present stage, it is necessary, if th© scheme is to be successful, to limit th© amount given to each boy. As the fund is built up we hope to do away with the set charge of 2s, and let each boy pay just as much as he is able. The present contribution is based on a charge of l£d a week for the 16 weeks of the football season." The conditions of the scheme state that a boy, if he is to claim compensation, must be injured while li© is at th© Boys' High School and while Tie is playing for a High School team. Payment of claims is made from the full amount available in the fund, including any money left over from the year before. If there ' is insufficient in the fund to enable all the claims to be met in full, payment is made pro rata. It is not permissible for any of the money in the insurance fund to be transferred to the school fund. If the medical expenses have already been covered by any lodge or friendly society's benefits, no money will be paad out of the school insurance fund. "We had considered joining the Canterbury Rugby Union's insurance scheme," continued Mr. Stewart, 'but, as- it only covered people playing on SJaturday afternoons, it would not have been of particular value to us. At the present time there are 420 boys playing football at the school and 17 masters acting as coaches. "Injuries must be reported within seven days, and receipted doctors' accouhts must be in the hands of the committee by the fourth week in the third term. The claims are starting to come in now, and we will consider them and pay out in about three weeks."