. . . $500,000 ‘whammy’ for Netball NZ

Netball New Zealand is bracing for a $500,000 shortfall from no crowds at the Silver Ferns’ Constellation Cup series against Australia.

All four matches will be held behind closed doors at Christchurch Arena, starting last night, due to alert level 2 restrictions. The final two matches were set to be played in Tauranga, but will be in Christchurch to minimise travel.

The two matches at Tauranga’s 2700 capacity Trustpower Baypark Arena had already sold out, while both games at Christchurch Arena (5600 capacity) were close to going the same way.

Last year’s Constellation Cup was

For coverage of last night’s New Zealand-Australia test, go to stuff.co.nz

postponed because of the Covid-19 pandemic and NNZ chief executive Jennie Wyllie said netball fans around the country had been eager to support the team in person.

Not having crowds during the Constellation Cup would be a major blow for NNZ’s finances. NNZ also had to wear the cost of deposits on the venue and accommodation in Tauranga, and travel.

‘‘Once we finalise all the numbers it could be just shy of half a million [dollars],’’ Wyllie said. ‘‘For us as a women’s sport it’s really material and we always knew it was a risk, but unfortunately it has been such a significant whammy. At the end of the day, we’re just delighted we can still play.’’

There had not been any discussion about financial relief for NNZ from the government, who Wyllie said had been superb last year, along with Sport NZ.

New Zealand Cricket is in a similar situation to NNZ with the last three Black Caps’ Twenty20 matches against Australia all being played without fans at Wellington’s Sky Stadium. The White Ferns are also playing England in T20s at the same venue.

NNZ made tough calls last year, cancelling national age-group tournaments and the second tier Beko League, while reducing some of their programmes, to keep costs down. Wyllie described those measures as ‘‘heart-breaking’’.