Financial fillip for fortunate five

NEW Zealand’s five Super Rugby franchises received a financial boost yesterday thanks to a NZ$1.25 million (about R13.5m) cash injection from the government as part of a wider funding package to help professional sport deal with the Covid-19 fallout.

The funds are part of NZ$4.6 million in disbursements handed out to the country’s small group of professional sports organisations yesterday, with Netball NZ receiving the biggest grant of NZ$2.2 million to help run the top-tier competition.

The cash injection comes as New Zealand’s Super Rugby sides prepare for the start of a 10-week domestic competition on June 13.

| Reuters