Peter Nash inducted as VAFA Life Member

Peter Nash’s involvement with the VAFA dates back to 1989 when his sports insurance company, Sportscover, first partnered with the Association.

He has built many friendships and relationships among players and officials throughout his time with the VAFA, and it all started with a Thursday Night Pie Night, when Peter would sponsor the night and happily answer questions regarding player insurance.

Peter’s support for the VAFA has been two-pronged over 28 years:

1. As a major financial partner with a cutting edge and competitive sports insurance model for VAFA clubs, and;
2. As an advocate providing support and expertise during some very challenging times.

From a financial perspective, Sportscover became the major sponsor of the VAFA in 2003 and remained so until 2019, contributing over $2 million throughout that time.

Following the Black Saturday Bushfires that ravaged Victoria in 2009, Peter led a Sportscover initiative to donate $1000 to every club affected by the fires.

In each of the VAFA’s overseas tours to Ireland, South Africa, and New Zealand, it was Peter who ensured the players and officials had the highest possible insurance coverage at the most competitive price. Of course, this level of coverage sat very well with the touring doctor and Life Member, George Janko.

Former CEO, Phil Stevens said “Peter was always looking to extra sponsorship if the VAFA came up with sound initiatives to enhance the relationship with Sportscover. This included the home of Amateur football at Elsternwick Park being known as Sportscover Arena, an extra $20,000 a year for a VAFA tipping contest and an extra $5000 per year for every newspaper article that featured a player with the Sportscover logo or a reference to Sportscover Arena. This was clearly above and beyond the sponsorship agreement.

The second part of Peter’s support refers to his expertise during challenging times for the VAFA, including assisting in the formation of the Blood Rule, the VAFA Heat Policy, the Infectious Diseases Policy, the Concussion Rule and Ground Inspection Reports.

The Blood Rule, in particular, was a first of its kind for a football code and it was Peter’s work with Phil Stevens that allowed for its success.

It was Peter’s support through the highly publicised HIV case in 1998 that really showcased his dedication to the Amateurs. While other sporting bodies stepped away through the trying time, Peter stuck with the VAFA and became a key contributor to the resulting Infectious Diseases Policy which raised the standard of the Blood Rule in sport.

For the best part of three decades, Peter Nash has established many lifelong friends throughout the VAFA here and abroad. He was more of a ‘family member’ than a sponsor, always readily available to assist any member of the VAFA if there were problems with any insurance matters.

Michael Hazell was also set to receive VAFA Life Membership but could not attend the Season Launch due to illness and will officially be inducted at a later date. We wish all the best with his recovery.