Former Port Adelaide player Donald Dickie is celebrating the multimillion sale of his NDIS business.
Adelaide-based My Plan Manager (MPM) has acquired one of its main competitors, the National Disability Supports Partners (NDSP).
Watch every match of the AFLW Season LIVE on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
The deal makes MPM the largest plan management provider for the NDIS and will add more than 15,000 additional clients to MPM’s existing client base of 36,6000.
NDSP was established in 2017 by former AFL player Dickie and his business partner Lisa Theoharris.
While the acquisition price was not disclosed, the Adelaide Advertiser reports the sale of Dickie’s NDSP was worth more than $40 million.
Dickie played 55 games for Port Adelaide in the late 1990s and became a cult hero for the Power.
He played in the first ever Showdown between Port Adelaide and the Adelaide Crows in 1997 and was runner up in the club’s best and fairest medal in 1998. Dickie retired after being delisted in 2000.
After a short stint in coaching, Dickie turned his attention to business, running training and employment programs and businesses before setting up NDSP with Ms Theoharris in 2017.
In less than five years the business has grown to become the third largest NDIS plan management company in Australia, operating in all states and territories and employing about 200 staff.
It helps NDIS participants navigate the system by taking care of administration including dealing with providers, paying invoices and managing NDIS budgets and claims.
My Plan Manager chief executive Jane Kittel said the acquisition represented the next stage in MPM’s growth strategy.
“Through this acquisition, we are bringing together two of the industry’s best plan managers, with a combined capability ensuring clients continue to receive market-leading services and the support they need to reach their full potential,” she said.
“As two purpose-driven organisations with aligned values, I am excited about the opportunities that working with NDSP will bring for clients, our teams and the NDIS. I am also excited about MPM’s significant growth trajectory.”
MPM and NDSP will continue to traded under their existing names.
Dickie is far from the only former footballer to make a fortune in business after hanging up the boots.
Earlier this year, Newcastle Knights legend Adam McDougall’s Man Shake nutrition company was reportedly flooded with a $400m investment.
The two-time premiership winner sold a majority stake in his Crazy Health company to Australian investment giant Pacific Equity Partners.
He is now instantly one of the richest men in rugby league — and instantly one of the greatest post-career fairytales the sport has known.
