Help is on its way but not just yet
Further government investment is on its way for the sport, but the sector will have to wait a few more days to learn where that money will be targeted.
The 94-page 2020 Wellbeing Budget released yesterday contained no specific reference to a recovery package for sport and recreation, which had been flagged by minister Grant Robertson for several weeks.
However, details are expected to be revealed over the weekend.
‘‘There is money for sport, and an announcement will be made in the coming days,’’ a Sport NZ spokesperson confirmed.
The recovery package will be in addition to the short-term relief measures unveiled over the past two months.
Last week Sport NZ announced a $25 million relief package targeted towards community and regional sport. The package included a $15m community resilience fund, with the view to helping financially stressed clubs and associations meet their fixed costs.
The focus on grassroots level sport followed an initial package of support to national sports organisations and regional trusts announced early last month, which guaranteed 2020 funding levels will roll over into 2021 – a commitment of $70 million.
Both initiatives were the result of some creative accounting at Sport NZ HQ, utilising funds redistributed from other projects and cash reserves.
Robertson has previously indicated that the recovery package will include support for community organisations and high performance and elite athletes.
It is understood a key focus for the recovery package will be on marginalised and under-represented groups, including Ma¯ ori and Pasifika populations, deprived communities, those with disabilities, and women and girls.
Sport NZ boss Peter Miskimmin last month told Stuff it was critical that the economic fallout from the pandemic does not exacerbate inequalities in sport.
The Covid-19 crisis has seen calls for more investment in women’s sport, with fears women’s programmes and growth initiatives would be the first to be cut by financially stressed sports organisations.
New Zealand is set to host two major international events for women next year – the ICC Cricket World Cup in February, and the Rugby World Cup in September.
There are concerns the legacy opportunities may be squandered if those sports don’t continue to invest in the women’s game.
Earlier this month Netball NZ chief executive Jennie Wyllie told the Epidemic Response Committee that the rebuild provided the government with the opportunity to redress the ‘‘systemic underinvestment’’ worth hundreds of millions of dollars in women’s sport and reset the funding model.