A rising Australian basketball star who almost died from a coward punch has revealed the financial hardship he has endured, calling for legislative change for all Aussie athletes.
Harry Froling, a promising Australian basketball star, has faced a life-altering challenge following a devastating one-punch attack.
In January 2023, his life took a tragic turn when an assault left him with a fractured skull, bleeding on the brain, and the need for emergency brain surgery.
The incident, which occurred outside a Wollongong nightclub, has since fueled Froling’s advocacy for better protection and support for athletes in similar situations.
The 26-year-old former NBL player has opened up about his recovery and the financial struggles that ensued.
Unlike injuries sustained during games or training, his off-court injury left him without adequate financial coverage.
Harry Froling was playing for the Brisbane Bullets in the National Basketball League at the time of his attach
Froling had major brain surgery and was told without the treatment, he would have died
‘If it happened in a game or training, I would have been covered, but because it happened outside the game, there was no liability,’ Froling told Code Sports.
Under the current NBL collective bargaining agreement, players injured during official games are entitled to up to 52 weeks of payments.
However, injuries occurring outside such settings, like Froling’s, fall outside this coverage.
The Brisbane Bullets, his team at the time, paid out the remainder of his contract but declined to extend his deal, leaving him without income for months.
Without income protection, Froling faced significant financial hardship, waiting six months to access a disability pension.
This experience has inspired him to call for a unified Work Cover system that extends protection to athletes injured outside the court.
He hopes to collaborate with the NBL and the Players’ Association to address this gap in support.
Froling’s advocacy isn’t limited to basketball.
Froling has been left devastated by not being able to play the game he loves and has spoken about the financial challenges after losing his income
The Rugby League Players’ Association (RLPA) has also voiced concerns about inadequate protections for rugby league players.
Currently, Work Cover does not apply to these athletes due to outdated perceptions that sports are recreational rather than professional work.
The RLPA has outlined potential avenues for support, including private health insurance, travel insurance, and Total Permanent Disablement (TPD) claims.
However, access to these resources often depends on the specific circumstances of each case, leaving many athletes vulnerable.
For Froling, the road to recovery has been long and arduous.
Following the attack, he discharged himself prematurely from the hospital, unaware of the severity of his injuries.
He later required emergency surgery to place three plates in his skull, a procedure that saved his life.
Despite the physical and emotional toll, he is determined to return to the sport he loves.
Froling remains hopeful he can return to basketball through the national NBL1 league
The impact of the injury extended beyond the physical. Froling experienced severe depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and strained relationships with family and friends.
‘I was in a dark place for 12 to 14 months,’ he said.
Basketball, a lifelong passion and family tradition, was suddenly out of reach, leaving him grappling with his identity.
Support from former teammates and family helped Froling regain hope.
He adopted a healthier lifestyle, pursued new hobbies like spearfishing, and began training with Mackay’s NBL1 side.
While he isn’t ready to rejoin the NBL yet, he has set his sights on a comeback in the reserve grade competition NBL1 next May.
