Wellington clubs to play for free

It could cost in the vicinity of $200,000 but a financially secure Cricket Wellington (CW) is scrapping affiliation fees for its club teams to help them through the postCovid era.

CW announced its initiative yesterday to remove fees for the 2020-2021 cricket season which, unsurprisingly, has the backing of all its clubs. The status quo will return the following season.

‘‘This is all about being optimistic and showing positive leadership for our wider community,’’ CW general manager Liz Green said.

‘‘Community cricket is our number one priority and we want to ensure that clubs are not forced to pass reduced income on to members through increased club membership fees.

‘‘By waiving team affiliation fees we are hopeful that we can work with all clubs to ensure their club membership fees remain affordable and that participant costs are not a barrier that prevent people from joining their local cricket club.’’

The move was supported by the CW board after an extensive consultation with clubs.

In a memo to clubs, CW said it received approximately $180,000 per season from team affiliation fees, which helped cover costs of $300,000 to run all junior, youth and senior cricket competitions for male and female players.

CW is in a healthier position than some other major associations, having recorded a $53,000 surplus last year, up from $24,000 in 2018. Its last annual report declared cash reserves of $309,000.

Clubs in all sporting codes are expected to feel the bite of Covid-19 as gaming funding – which NZ Cricket chief executive David White estimates contributed $8 million to the running of grassroots cricket last year – dries up.

Major sponsor ANZ pledged $1 million to grassroots cricket and netball clubs earlier this month, and Sport and Recreation Minister Grant Robertson announced a $265 million sport recovery package in this month’s budget.

CW chief executive Cam Mitchell said: ‘‘Sport and our communities are facing uncertain times due to the ongoing effects of Covid-19 and we have an opportunity to come together with our clubs to encourage participants to reengage with cricket.

‘‘Sport will have an integral role in helping individuals, families and communities re-establish some sense of normality in the future, however for sport to be able to play its role in the rebuild it needs to be accessible as well as affordable.’’