The Wellington Phoenix are set to benefit from a financial relief package handed out to professional sports clubs by Sport NZ, the aim of which is to ease the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sport NZ has provided a total of $4.6 million to the Phoenix, Vodafone Warriors, Super Rugby clubs, and the ANZ Premiership netball league and teams. This is the first release of investment from the $265 million Sport Recovery Package announced as part of Budget 2020, with this being the only allocation available for release before 1 July.

The purpose of this funding is to provide immediate financial relief to help these clubs and competitions remain viable, and to assist with costs required to get competitions back up and running.

The Wellington Phoenix will receive $950,000 and Vodafone Warriors $200,000, while $1.25 million will go to New Zealand Rugby for its five Super Rugby teams and Netball New Zealand will receive $2.2 million to support the running of the ANZ Premiership. 

“This investment acknowledges the critical role these professional franchises play in entertaining New Zealanders and uniting communities, as well as inspiring young people and providing important end-to-end pathways for talented sportspeople,” Sport NZ CEO Peter Miskimmin says. 

“Professional sport franchises do not typically receive government investment, but in the Sport Recovery Package we have an opportunity to provide relief to other organisations who are also critical to our system. We know they have exhausted their financial options and that they make such a valuable contribution to our sector and national and regional economies.”

Today’s announcement has been welcomed by teams and national bodies.

“Without this support, professional football, which is a critical part of football in New Zealand, could be lost indefinitely,” Wellington Phoenix General Manager David Dome says.

“We hope this, like the return of club football, will provide a positive boost for players and fans around the country. We would also like to acknowledge the initial financial relief provided by Sport NZ to football’s regional bodies and clubs. They too are a critical part of our game.”

Wellington Phoenix General Manager David Dome (Photosport)

Sport NZ has also engaged with other teams and sports, including the New Zealand Breakers and Auckland Tuatara, but as these teams are currently out of season they have not yet been impacted as significantly as those in season when the COVID-19 crisis hit. Sport NZ will continue to work with these sports and teams to determine what support they may require moving forward.

The balance of the first response phase of the $265 million Sport Recovery Package (approximately $78 million) will be focused primarily on community, regional and national level bodies. This funding will be available from 1 July. Sport NZ is already providing immediate relief to grassroots sport through its $15 million Community Resilience Fund.

Applications for this remain open through the network of 14 regional sports trusts, with $1,000 available for clubs and $40,000 for regional bodies.

“Play, active recreation and sport are key to maintaining individual health and wellbeing, bringing our communities together and keeping these communities strong,” Miskimmin says.

“It is vital that organisations at all levels of our sector remain viable and that is why it is critical we are able to provide immediate financial relief.”

More information of the financial support already provided by Sport NZ to ease the impact of COVID-19 can be found by clicking here 

Article added: Thursday 04 June 2020