Buller team celebrate winning the Heartland championship Lochore Cup Final. Buller v South Canterbury. Victoria Square, Westport. Photo: Chris Symes
Losing the essence of New Zealand Rugby remains a prevalent fear among the grassroots level of the game.
This comes in the wake of the news that NZ Rugby recorded a third consecutive financial loss in 2024, just shy of $20 million.
The nation's 26 provincial rugby unions met with the country's governing body at the AGM yesterday to strategise for a sound financial future.
Despite again being in the red, Horowhenua Kāpiti chair Corey Kennett said most provinces were willing to give the board time.
"I think there is confidence, but it does have a limit. We obviously are in a very tough times where we need to see deliverables and in particular around funding around how we look after the community game and the financial horsepower needed to make that happen has got to keep going. We're hopeful and there has been some great developments."
Kennett understood these were trying times.
"When we look at the loss, any loss is undesirable, but there are extenuating circumstances."
He noted the investment in the commercial strategy and a drop in the US dollar as reasons for the shortfall.
Bay of Plenty CEO Mike Rogers shared similar sentiments.
"They did a really good job of helping us understand the position, and we know there's already work underway with New Zealand Rugby around financial sustainability."
He was also noted needing to allow the new board time to implement its strategies.
"We all know that that's not a sustainable model to make losses like that. So I think the next phase of how New Zealand rugby operate in terms of the actions they take are going to be pretty critical for the game. I think we do have to be prepared to have some patience, but that doesn't mean that we can sort of sit on our hands. We certainly need to see action."
Kaleb Foote of King Country celebrates his try during the Ranfurly Shield rugby match between Hawkes Bay and King Country at Hastings Sports Park (Mitre 10 Park) in Hastings, New Zealand on Wednesday June 26, 2024. Photo: Aaron Gillions / www.photosport.nz
Buller CEO Phill Gower was also pragmatic about the losses.
"Rugby costs money to run, doesn't it? And we've got to get money from somewhere. So if we have a shortfall, it's either from the fact that we haven't received enough money in sponsorship or revenues, so therefore that's what we've really got to look at and try and bring up."
Kennett said he feels the new NZR board are far less disconnected to the grassroots game than their predecessors.
"The new board I can report have made more efforts than we have seen previously. There's been a positive realisation that work needed to be done in that space to increase collaboration, communication. The proof will be in the pudding."
Rogers said there must always an ongoing conversation around supporting the community game.
"That is obviously the foundation of what's made New Zealand rugby so strong over 130-odd years. Our job as provincial unions is to advocate as strongly as possible for investment in the community game. We do also need to appreciate that it is a balance and value the role of the All Blacks and Black Ferns play in generating revenue and that can be invested back in the community, it's not an easy position for New Zealand rugby to manage."
Junior Rugby Open Grade, Carlton v University, Saturday 21 August 2010. War Memorial Park, Mt Roskill, Auckland, New Zealand. Photo: Andrew Cornaga
Kennett believed while most provinces were smartly spending their money on the community, some were prioritising 'buying trophies'.
"We have to look at what is our reason for being and our reason for being is for promoting the in all areas, the professional, semi-professional and amateur game."
He said there is a risk of losing what makes New Zealand Rugby not only special, but successful.
"In the heartland space in particular, we are working hard with our heartland brother and sister unions to make sure that we stay in the amateur game and don't try and go into the semi-professional, paying for players to pay when we are in an amateur game."
He believed with the right innovations, the NPC will endure.
"I mean it's no secret. There were models that were very difficult to sustain. Some unions are sustaining it, but what is evident is there needs to be change in some ways. I think NPC will always be there. To what level of professionalism or semi-professional the competition is, that's probably the real question going forward and whatever it is, it has to be financially sustainable in whatever mode you come up with."
Rogers also stressed the importance of our domestic competitions.
"The NPC and FPC are our point of difference and sort of a secret sauce of what makes rugby in New Zealand so strong. Our challenge is to continue to grow it, make it strong, and viable."
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
