The Australian Basketball Players’ Association has established a $150,000 COVID-19 Hardship Fund to support players in financial hardship caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

“The ABPA Board established a reserve fund for emergencies such as this over two years ago, and we are pleased to be able to step in and help our player members in such a tangible way at this time,” ABPA Chairman Greg O’Neill said.

The fund will assist ABPA members who are unable to meet their living costs from available resources and have limited or no access to government support.

“We believe this Fund provides meaningful and practical support to our members who have been hit hard in this challenging time,” ABPA CEO Jacob Holmes said.

“Players have been impacted by the shutdown of NBL1, NZ NBL and other domestic and international seasons, salary reductions, and the contractual situations of many players means they are limited in their ability to access government benefits.”

The fund will aim to assist as many members as possible with the first phase of grant assistance to be up to $3,000 at the discretion of an internal committee.

“The core purpose of the ABPA is to support and represent our members as individuals and a collective, this about the players as people – their livelihoods, families and wellbeing.

“We’re very pleased to be able to provide this support to the players who have shown great resilience and leadership during this difficult time.”

ABPA members can apply or find COVID-19 Hardship Fund here.

Read the story in The Age.