Fund Opens for Southland’s Active Recreation and Sports Organisations
The Sport NZ Community Resilience Fund Phase 2 opens today and will be administered through New Zealand’s 14 regional sports trusts due to the strength of their networks into their local sport and recreation communities. Eligible organisations can apply for a maximum of $25,000.
Southland’s play, active recreation and sports organisations are being encouraged to apply for a second round of Community Resilience Funding from Sport New Zealand, which will again be administered by Sport Southland.
Minister of Sport and Recreation Grant Robertson said the funding was part of the $265 million Sports Recovery Package announced as part of Budget 2020.
“As New Zealand rebuilds post Covid-19, we know that many sport and recreation organisations are still going through a difficult time. This fund will support a wide range of organisations with their fixed and operational costs over the coming months.
“The criteria has been loosened since the previous round of Community Resilience Fund was allocated, with organisations no longer required to be affiliated to Sport NZ national partners in order to be eligible. The money can also now be used for a broader range of costs including operational and administrative costs.”
Organisations across Southland received over $250,000 in the first phase of the fund, with the latest round of funding increased in scope to include a wider range of costs, including operational costs.
Phase two of the fund, which opens today and runs until September 4, was aimed at providing financial support for organisations experiencing financial hardship as a result of Covid-19 in the period July 1 to September 30, 2020, Sport Southland chief executive Brendon McDermott said.
“The sporting sector continues to feel the financial effects wrought by Covid-19, but the good news is Southland has received a larger allocation of funding in Phase Two of the Community Resilience Fund and we are ready to assist organisations to apply,” McDermott said.
“We want to help ensure that organisations are able to continue delivering quality physical activity experiences that get Southlanders active.”
Applications are welcomed from organisations that have not previously received funding from Sport NZ, and those that may have received some support already through Community Resilience Fund in May/June 2020.
Applicants for the earlier Community Resilience Fund had to be affiliated to Sport NZ national partners, but this is not a requirement for Community Resilience Fund Phase 2.
The fund is not intended for organisations that already receive investment directly from Sport NZ.
One key change to the previous Community Resilience Fund will be the ability to claim assistance for a broader range of costs including operational costs that are critical to delivering activities and programmes to support the reactivation of active recreation and sport now that New Zealand has moved to Alert Level 1.
“Not all clubs and organisations have fixed costs (such as clubrooms, phone bills etc), and assistance for operational funding will mean more community organisations will be eligible for support, and importantly, will be better placed to ensure our community’s access to active recreation and sporting opportunities are maintained,” McDermott said.
The fund provides additional financial help on top of other relief such as the Government Wage Subsidy, other sources of funding, and support from national bodies. Further details about the fund are available on the Sport Southland website