WHO CAN APPLY?

To be eligible to apply for financial assistance from the NSW JOCKEYS TRUST, you must be:

  • a current jockey or apprentice jockey licensed in NSW or the ACT ("jockey" does not include approved riders and trackwork riders);

OR

  • a retired jockey or apprentice jockey formerly licensed in NSW or the ACT;

OR

  • a family member or dependant of a current or former jockey or apprentice jockey licensed in NSW or the ACT;

AND

  • be in “NECESSITOUS CIRCUMSTANCES”.

What are “NECESSITOUS CIRCUMSTANCES”?

“Necessitous circumstances” refers to financial need.

Being in necessitous circumstances:

  • involves some level of poverty (ie. financial distress or hardship, but not necessarily homelessness or bankruptcy);
  • does not mean just being without luxuries or being unable to continue to live a lifestyle which you can no longer afford.

A person is in necessitous circumstances where they don’t have enough financial resources to have a modest standard of living in Australia.

A person is not automatically regarded as being in necessitous circumstances just by reason of being sick, incapacitated, disabled or aged (although these may be factors which can cause or increase financial need).

CAN I APPLY? – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

I am an injured jockey receiving weekly workers compensation benefits. The amount I receive is a lot less than what I would usually make each week riding. I am having trouble paying my mortgage and other bills. Can I apply to the NSW JOCKEYS TRUST for help?

Yes. Injured jockeys receiving workers compensation benefits or payments under a personal accident insurance policy can apply for assistance.

Your workers compensation benefits and/or any payout you receive under a personal accident /income protection policy will be taken into account when assessing whether you are in necessitous circumstances.

I was forced to retire from racing due to illness. My medical costs are not covered by workers compensation. Can I apply to the NSW JOCKEYS TRUST for help even though my illness has nothing to do with racing?

Yes. You do not need to have suffered a career-ending riding injury to apply for help from the NSW JOCKEYS TRUST. The important test is whether you are in necessitous circumstances and not whether your financial need was caused by a riding injury or through suffering a severe illness or another reason.

My husband was a jockey. He has recently passed away from an illness. My children and I are struggling to meet his funeral costs. Can I apply to the NSW JOCKEYS TRUST for help, even though my husband retired from racing many years ago?

Yes. There is no requirement that a jockey should have only recently retired from riding or retired within the past “x” number of years.

Each case will be considered on its merits and most importantly, whether the applicant jockey or his/her dependants are in necessitous circumstances.

I did some riding in NSW, but spent most of my career riding in another State. Can I apply to the NSW JOCKEYS TRUST for help?

The purpose of the NSW JOCKEYS TRUST is to assist current, former and the families of NSW and ACT jockeys who are in financial need.

The Trustees will exercise discretion as to whether they will consider your application or refer it to the National Jockeys Trust.

I have already received some financial assistance from the National Jockeys Trust. Can I also apply to the NSW JOCKEYS TRUST for help?

Yes, provided you are or were licensed to ride in New South Wales or the ACT.

The amount of assistance provided to you by the National Jockeys Trust will be taken into account by the Trustees of the NSW JOCKEYS TRUST when assessing whether you are in necessitous circumstances. You must disclose any financial assistance you have received from the National Jockeys Trust or other charity in the Application Form.

As from 1 January 2012, NSW and ACT jockeys will be required to approach the NSW JOCKEYS TRUST for assistance first, before making any application to the National Jockeys Trust.

NSW and ACT jockeys who received assistance from the National Jockeys Trust prior to 1 January 2012 are permitted to also make application to the NSW JOCKEYS TRUST.

I want to do some study so that I have the skills to start a new career or go into business for myself when I retire from racing. Can the NSW JOCKEYS TRUST help?

No. The NSW JOCKEYS TRUST can only provide financial assistance to relieve necessitous circumstances.

You should apply to Racing NSW for financial assistance from the Jockeys Benefit Scheme Discretionary Fund.
The Jockeys Benefit Scheme Discretionary Fund provides for programs and initiatives to benefit jockeys’ welfare both during their riding career and in retirement, including vocational and life skills training, career transition support, business startup assistance and financial planning advice.

To make an application for career re-training or business start-up funding assistance from the Jockeys Benefit Scheme Discretionary Fund, contact Racing NSW:

By Phone:      (02) 9551 7500
By Email:       jockeystrust@racingnsw.com.au
By Post:         Level 7, 51 Druitt Street, SYDNEY  NSW  2000

I am a jockey who is having trouble coping with financial / career / relationship issues. I am feeling angry / anxious / depressed.
Can the NSW JOCKEYS TRUST help? Who can I talk to?

The NSW JOCKEYS TRUST does not provide counselling services. We encourage you to contact the Jockeys Assistance Program counselling service.

The JOCKEYS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (“JAP”) is an initiative of Racing NSW and the NSW Jockeys Association which provides former and current NSW and ACT jockeys and their immediate family members with access to free counselling services on a 24 hour per day / 365 days per year basis.

Many people take advantage of support services to help deal with the pressures of life and work.

We encourage you to use the JAP counselling service if any of life’s pressures, such as depression, financial difficulties, drug and alcohol problems etc. become difficult to deal with. Early intervention can assist in resolving these problems before they become overwhelming.

The service is strictly confidential and extremely supportive. There is no charge for former and current NSW and ACT jockeys and their immediate family members - the cost is met by the Racing NSW Jockeys Benefit Scheme.

To access the service at any time, please call Oliver Brecht, Psychologist, on (0406 977 290).

Oliver is an expert in his field and is very experienced in working with professional athletes. He will be available to provide confidential assistance over the telephone and in person. Oliver is located in Sydney, but has a network of associates throughout NSW able to offer direct assistance to Country respondents.

If you would like more background information about Oliver or the services offered by the JAP, please contact Tony Crisafi at the NSW Jockeys Association, on (0430 211 098).

I have another question. Who can I contact?

If you have any questions about your eligibility to apply to the NSW JOCKEYS TRUST for help, you can contact:

The Secretary of the NSW Jockeys Trust
By Phone:      (02) 9551 7500
By Email:       jockeystrust@racingnsw.com.au
By Post:         Level 7, 51 Druitt Street, SYDNEY  NSW  2000

By using the online form in the CONTACT US section of this website.

OR

The NSW Jockeys Association

By Phone:     0430 211 098
By Email:       tony@nswjockeys.org
By Post:         PO Box 18, Darlinghurst NSW 1300