The NRL has offered Alex McKinnon a job for life as he continues to recover from spinal injuries
John Lehmann Editor at Large
The Daily Telegraph
April 29, 2014 10:00PM
THE NRL’s inspiration, Alex McKinnon, has been offered a job for life, as the rugby league family vows to support him in his heroic battle against spinal injuries.
Only days after McKinnon’s stunning Anzac long-weekend appearance, NRL chief Dave Smith has revealed the NRL would find an ongoing role for the popular Newcastle Knight.
Smith personally made the offer to McKinnon’s father, Scott, on Monday.
“His spirit and determination are an inspiration for all of us,’’ Smith told The Daily Telegraph.
“The NRL would be honoured if Alex wanted to channel that spirit into a career in our game and the offer is on the table … for life.”
The job offer was part of a five-point plan outlined by Smith to provide lifelong support for McKinnon as well as any future players if they are severely and permanently injured.
A special foundation will be set up for the 22-year-old Newcastle forward, who faces potentially years of medical treatment costing millions of dollars.
Round 19 of the NRL from July 18 will become a special “Rise for Alex” occasion to encourage fans to contribute to the foundation.
Smith said the NRL would work with the Newcastle Knights, other clubs and the game’s broadcast partners, including Channel Nine and Fox Sports, to create a series of fundraising events.
Options include holding music concerts in Sydney and Newcastle, games and activities for families at selected matches, junior football fundraising activities and auctions.
Consideration is also being given to staging a telethon.
The NRL has also undertaken to dedicate funds to a medical research project associated with spinal injury to advance the search for better treatments.
Knights Members’ Club chairman Nick Dan said fans would be “elated” that the NRL had moved quickly to offer the McKinnon family peace of mind.
“We’re a close-knit community — when one of us hurts, we all hurt so these concrete measures are fantastic,’’ Dan said.
In a further move, Smith said the NRL would set up a game- wide foundation to ensure financial assistance wais available if any other players were severely and permanently injured.
Insurance policies covering NRL players do cover such crippling injuries.
“It is clear, on those rare occasions when there is a serious injury in our game, that the fans and supporters want to do their bit to help out,” he said. “We want to explore all avenues to do this and it all starts with Alex.”
Smith said the game-wide foundation would be established as a registered charity in coming months. The foundation is expected to be administered by the Men of League.
Smith will also work closely with the Men of League, as well the Rugby League Players’ Association, to find a job which suits McKinnon’s talents.
While McKinnon is showing promising improvement, including getting some feeling in his legs, it may not be known for some time exactly what type of role will be suitable.
Certainly, his ability to inspire those around him was evident on Saturday night when he made a surprise appearance into the Newcastle Knights dressing sheds, only five weeks after his horrific injury suffered against the Melbourne Storm.
“The best sight of the season was Alex turning up to ANZ Stadium to watch his mates play for the Knights last weekend,” Smith said.
