A LAW researcher at Bond University believes the multi-million dollar legal settlement over concussion-related brain injuries to footballers in the US sends a warning signal to Australian football administrators.

Bond University Faculty of Law Assistant Professor Annette Greenhow said although similar litigation would face a number of difficulties in  Australia, football administrators should take notice.

"Australian sporting bodies and commentators have argued that NFL-type litigation is unlikely to succeed here, but the media spotlight has turned on our sporting codes," Ms Greenhow said.

"Reports of players from a number of football codes complaining of cognitive issues arising from their professional playing days means that football administrators need to address these issues by bringing together all those with an interest in concussion in sport, to recognise the growing community concern and to respond proactively to concussion issues.

"The management of player health and welfare, and a commitment to concussion education and research must be high priorities."

The US National Football League (NFL) recently reached a tentative $765 million settlement over concussion-related brain injuries among retired NFL players who joined in the action.

The NFL has agreed to compensate the former footballers, pay for medical exams and underwrite research for claims involving more than 4500 former players.

Ms Greenhow said the US settlement was monumental, both in terms of size and significance.

"The settlement was wrapped in the usual ‘no admission of liability' packaging and justified on a basis of corporate social responsibility and the desire to avoid protracted and expensive litigation," Ms Greenhow said.

"Because the settlement was mediated, rather than litigated, the allegations were not proven in court, and so the question of whether it was more probable than not that the NFL's actions caused or contributed to the injuries of retired players remains undecided.

"Nonetheless, it would be prudent for Australian football administrators to look carefully at their own policies on concussion management, prevention, research and education to ensure that they too are not subject to similar litigation.

"It is clear that the proceedings against football administrators in the US was the catalyst for the NFL Concussion Settlement.

"Australian football administrators need not wait for litigation but should act quickly to take the necessary steps to protect players from the risks posed by this serious and long-lasting harm."

www.bond.edu.au

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BRISBANE Lions' new elite training and administration facility (ETAF) is being developed as part of a wider regional sport and community recreation precinct at Springfield Central, in the neighbouring Queensland City of Ipswich.

Springfield is a satellite township created by developer and lifestyle entrepreneur Maha Sinnathamby, developed over three decades, which now sports one of Australia's largest shopping precincts, a Greg Norman-designed golf course - Brookwater - an Education Precinct which includes a University of Southern Queensland campus, a Health Precinct and extensive fibre optic cabling  to homes an businesses throughout the community. Recently Springfield has been the beneficiary of extensive road transport links and a rail service linked to the Brisbane-Ipswich line.

The state-of-the-art Brisbane Lions facility, expected to be completed in mid-2016, will be the centrepiece of the new sports and recreation precinct, to be developed adjacent to Springfield Central Railway Station. The club currently has three training venues - the Gabba, Giffin Park at Coorparoo and Yeronga - so the move to Springfield Central will for teh first time see the Lions train at the same venue across the entire year
 
Federal Minister for Regional Australia, Catherine King announced a $15 million Federal Government budget commitment had been made available for the project - a key piece of infrastructure in the western corridor of south-east Queensland.
 
As a result of the funding, the Lions and the AFL have signed a heads of agreement (HoA) with the Ipswich City Council and Springfield Land Corporation for the development of the ETAF. The agreement provides a 99-year lease of the site to the Lions.
 
The development will be located on a five hectare green-field site at Springfield Central, 25km from Brisbane CBD and 15km from Ipswich CBD.
 
The site will enable the Lions to develop a "best practice" facility, with significant expansion space, capable of accommodating the club's needs fore the foreseeable future.
 
Lions chairman, Angus Johnson said the green-field site ensured the Lions did not have to compromise on the ETAF and was the only viable long-term option for the club.
 
"Today is a strategic investment in our future - a world-class facility supporting community assets that everyone at the Brisbane Lions will call home and be proud of,"  Mr Johnson said at the presentation last week.
 
"It will not only enhance our ability to develop players, but also attract and retain others, while strengthening our ties with the community via an expanded footprint across our region.
 
"On behalf of the Brisbane Lions, I'd like to thank the Federal Government, the Ipswich City Council, the Springfield Land Corporation and the AFL for their support and vision in bringing this project to fruition.
 
"The benefits are significant, not only for the Lions, but also for the community given the facilities that will be available to them.
 
"It's been a long process, but incredibly worthwhile, and I look forward to seeing the development take shape as well as forging stronger ongoing relationships with the local community."
 
AFL deputy chief executive officer, Gillon McLachlan said,  "We welcome the announcement of this new development and congratulate the Brisbane Lions on securing the club's long-term growth through what will be a world class facility.
 
"Not only will this facility ensure the Lions remain at the forefront of elite player development but it will also significantly benefit the local community as part of a broader sport and recreation program.
 
"The Lions have always maintained a strong community connection and that will only be enhanced through this exciting new facility.
 
"This development equips the Lions with the necessary facilities to achieve a high level of sustained success on a number of fronts, while bolstering their links to one of the country's fastest growing regions.
 
"On behalf of the AFL I want to thank those parties responsible for making this development a reality, including the Federal Government, the Ipswich City Council and the Springfield Land Corporation."

Federal Minister for Regional Australia, Catherine King, joined Lions chairman Angus Johnson, and CEO, Malcolm Holmes, for the announcement at Springfield Central. They were joined by AFL general manager for Football Operations Mark Evans, Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann, Federal Member for Oxley Bernie Ripoll, Springfield Land Corporation deputy chairman Bob Sharpless and Ipswich City Councillor David Morrison.
 
Key Facts

1.  The first stage of the ETAF development will include:

• An MCG-sized AFL oval
• Oval lighting suitable for NAB Cup and NEAFL matches
• Best practice gymnasium, aquatic recovery, medical, coaching and player development areas
• Player lounge and study areas
• Administration headquarters designed to maximise integration across the business
• Flexible education spaces including dedicated facilities for the Lions community programs
• A home for the Hyundai Lions Academy
• Extensive site preparation works associated with the development including the construction of roadways and civic infrastructure

2.   Stage 1 of the ETAF development is expected to cost in the order of $60 million with funding being provided by contributions from the Springfield Land Corporation, Ipswich City Council, Federal Government, Brisbane Lions and the AFL.  Further funding will also be sought from other parties including the Queensland State Government.
 
3.   The second stage of the ETAF development will include:

• A grandstand for up to 2,500 spectators
• Covered training space suitable for game simulation
• Additional ovals, training areas and community sports fields

4.   Upon the completion of Stage 2, the ETAF will have the potential to host NAB Cup and NEAFL matches.
 
5.   The club currently has three training venues - the Gabba, Giffin Park at Coorparoo and Yeronga. The move to Springfield Central will ensure the Lions' train at the same venue across the entire year.
 
6.   The decision to relocate the club's training and administration headquarters from the Gabba to Springfield was ratified by the Lions' board after a thorough and robust process to determine a new site.
 
7.   The process started more than two years ago when the club called for expressions of interest. The AFL has been a key stakeholder through the duration of the process.
 
8.   As part of the process, Mr Johnson and fellow director Mick Power did not participate in the final vote to approve the HoA with the Ipswich City Council, in order to remove any concerns about potential conflicts with their business interests in the region.

Click here for virtual tour of Brisbane Lions' facility

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WHAT may have been missed in much of the sporting coverage  of the second annual rugby union Indigenous Round fixture on Saturday was that it marked the launch of support by mining giant, Rio Tinto, for Queensland Rugby's Future Indigenous Leaders program.

Queensland Rugby and Rio Tinto have designed the Queensland Reds Future Indigenous Leaders Program to create meaningful career pathways and leadership opportunities for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students throughout the state. Significantly, Rio Tinto is investing in the program at a time when the company has been under economic pressure, drawing back on its Australian mining investments and operations.

The Reds second annual Indigenous Round fixture saw the program's inaugural 20 participants present special edition Indigenous art print jerseys to the players.

The program is a new initiative developed to provide the necessary mentoring support and incentives to help Indigenous students from Cherbourg and Woorabinda regions reach their potential and become leaders within their communities.

Rio Tinto Energy general manager for corporate relations said the program was an extension of the ongoing role the company was playing in assisting Indigenous and remote communities.

"Rio Tinto is proud to partner with Queensland Rugby Union in the Future Indigenous Leaders Program which supports and encourages teenagers in Cherbourg and Woorabinda to stay in school, seek employment and/or further training, and to become a leader in their community," Ms Smith said.

"We want to help talented Aboriginal students not only stay at school, but do the best they can."

The program is offered to students in years six to 10, and the early stages focus on developing literacy and numeracy skills before the focus shifts gradually away from the curriculum and towards developing the students' leadership abilities.

Queensland Rugby and Rio Tinto continue to work in partnership with local schools and youth organisations to encourage, support and reward students involved in the program who are demonstrating consistency in attendance, improvement in learning, and excellence in performance both inside and outside of the classroom.

Queensland Rugby CEO Jim Carmichael welcomed the partnership with Rio Tinto and the launch of the Future Indigenous Leaders Program.

"To partner with a global mining sector leader such as Rio Tinto is extremely significant to driving positive outcomes for our code and will create huge benefits for our participants, communities and partners associated with the Queensland Reds Indigenous Program," Mr Carmichael said.

"To continue the growth of Rugby in Queensland it's critical that we are surrounding ourselves with like-minded partners committed to investing in our game, so it's with great pleasure that I welcome Rio Tinto into the Queensland Rugby family."

Queensland Reds captain and Future Indigenous Leaders Program Ambassador James Horwill endorsed the support being offered to young Indigenous Queenslanders as part of the program.

"It's important to never underestimate the impact strong leadership can have on others, whether that is on the rugby field or in your everyday commitments in life," Mr Horwill said.

"But, like any other skill, leadership is something you need to work hard at developing and it's therefore extremely pleasing to see the creation of a program that will provide participants with the necessary knowledge and tools to become leaders within their communities."

The Future Indigenous Leaders program will offer participants further avenues for future employment, education and training, including potential Rio Tinto university scholarships or future roles in that organisation.

http://www.redsrugby.com.au/

http://www.riotinto.com.au/

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