FIFTH QRT Foundation is an independent not for profit organisation supporting AFL & AFLW player health and wellbeing beyond the game.

Currently too many past players are suffering head/TBI injuries and the number is increasing, resulting in ongoing mental health problems. Too many past players are suffering from a range of mental health problems without proper care. Many past players simply struggle with the transition out of professional sport. Many suffer in silence.

The AFL and AFLPA do a good job in supporting current players. But serving current players is their core business. For past players, there is nowhere to go for help with loss of identity/purpose, anxiety, depression, anger, poor relationships, poor decision-making, addictive behavior, and tragically suicidal ideation. There is a significant gap in the postgame-support system. FIFTH QRT Foundation was established to bridge this gap.

FIFTH QRT is here to support AFL and AFLW past players to achieve positive mental health and wellbeing and successfully transition from professional sport. FIFTHQTR Foundation is an initiative of Mr. Ken Hunter and Mr. Ken Sheldon former VFL/AFL teammates. Ken Hunter was recently inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame and was the first VFL/AFL person to speak publicly (1999) about his personal battle with severe depression.

At FIFTH QRT we believe it is critical that transitioning or retired players maintain their mental health and wellbeing whilst adjusting to regular society.

While there is some level of support from the AFLPA and AFL Club Past Player Groups to former players, more tailored ongoing support for transitioning and retired past players is needed. The game is evolving rapidly and so are the issues.

Players know their career will end, they just don’t know when and how. Despite all the preparation for the inevitable it can still come prematurely due to injury or at times as a shock. Many players can feel lost as they adjust to normal society without the competition, camaraderie, structure and support that they were once accustomed.

This is when transitioning and retired athletes can experience a loss of identity, purpose and are vulnerable. As a result, poor decision making can lead to social issues including alcohol, drugs, gambling, lack of employment, financial and relationship problems. These issues can further develop into mental illness such as depression, anxiety and sadly, suicide.

Concussion related brain trauma can develop into degenerative diseases such as Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), Dementia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinsons. All of which can cause ongoing long term mental health and wellbeing issues.

There are over 5,000 past players ‘on the books’ of the AFLPA. Over 3,000 of these are experiencing significant ongoing physical and/or mental health issues (source: AFLPA). Likely many more with under-reporting. Currently there isn’t a place that former AFL / AFLW players can go to should they need help beyond the game. A place that understands them. A place that provides peer support management.

That’s where Fifth QRT comes in. FIFTHQTR provides an additional safety net to the AFL, AFLPA AFL Club Past Player Groups. We aim to provide the services, expertise and resources to help past players thrive.

FIFHT QRT offers a space where past players feel safe and supported. A place that understands them as an individual. A place they can check in and out of when the need arises.

FIFTH QRT will have a suite of health and wellbeing services on offer including:

  • mental health and wellbeing
  • concussion
  • drug and alcohol support
  • gambling support
  • training and employment pathways
  • legal advice
  • Relationship counselling
  • Psychological

When a player comes to us we will allocate a dedicated trained peer support manager (case manager) who will be the point of contact for the retired player. An initial meeting between the peer support manager and the transitioning or retired player will be held to determine which support service or services they require. Subsequently, an agreed tailored plan will be developed to support the player transitioning into regular society. Or for the retired player, a tailored plan to assist with refocusing their next chapter in life.

Peer support managers will have access to national service providers that enables them to triage the tailored plan

FIFTHQTR will also provide the opportunity for retired AFL players to become ambassadors. Past players can make a significant contribution in the promotion of positive mental health and wellbeing to grass roots and the community through storytelling, lived experiences and developed programs.

FIFTHQTR Foundation success will be determined by the support of the AFL community, socially conscious organisations and like-minded people.

Charitable Status

FIFTHQTR Foundation was established in May 2021, as a public company limited by guarantee. FIFTHQTR Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation and registered as a charity under the subtype advancing health. The foundation has been approved for Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status.