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Perth Wildcats star Clint Steindl thanks Players’ Association for helping navigate financial challenges

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Craig O'DonoghueThe West Australian
Clint Steindl in action against New Zealand on Sunday.
Camera IconClint Steindl in action against New Zealand on Sunday. Credit: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

Perth Wildcats star Clint Steindl has revealed he has applied to the Australian Basketball Players’ Association for financial support following the league’s decision to cut payments this season.

The ABPA announced this week that they had committed $350,000 to a fund to support players who were directly impacted by the changes in salary and extension to the length of the season. That followed an initial $150,000 which was established in May last year.

NBL players had their salaries slashed by up to 50 per cent as part of an agreement reached between the league and Players’ Association last April as a reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Steindl was halfway through a two-year contract when the pandemic hit, but was also just months into being a new father.

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He said the dramatic change in salary had been a huge shock.

Clint Steindl has applied for support from the ABPA hardship fund after having his wage slashed due to the pandemic.
Camera IconClint Steindl has applied for support from the ABPA hardship fund after having his wage slashed due to the pandemic. Credit: Paul Kane/Getty Images
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“When you first hear about it, it’s a bit of a hit. There’s not too many guys who have had to deal with a pay cut just like that and being told they’re going to cut your pay,” Steindl told The West Australian.

“You hear of a pay cut and you go ‘okay, I’m not going to play.’ But then what are you going to do? You’ve got to go and find another job.

“A lot of guys bought into it, saw the bigger picture and thought the world is going through this pandemic and there’s going to be pay cuts.

“It’s not just us losing money. It’s clubs losing money and sponsors have lost money. So once you look at that bigger picture, and see everyone is in this together.

“I didn’t apply early on in the season. I applied in the last week-and-a-half.

“Jacob Holmes and the Players’ Association have done an incredible job being able to support guys who need it.”

The Wildcats returned to training today after being told to stay home for two days. Perth had played five games in 11 days, face Brisbane at RAC Arena on Friday night and then fly to Cairns on Saturday for Sunday’s match against the Taipans.

Having been over run by New Zealand last weekend, Steindl said time off had been important for everyone.

“It was good to keep guys away from here,” he said.

“We’ve got a bunch of guys who want to come in on days off. We just stayed away, cleared our minds a bit and got ready for the next 14 or 15 games.”

Charges have been withdrawn against star South East Melbourne Phoenix NBL player Mitch Creek, clearing the way for him to potentially represent the Australian Boomers at the Tokyo Olympics.

Victorian police had alleged Creek, pictured, assaulted a woman in November last year but they dropped all charges yesterday.

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