Sport Southland To Administer Sport NZ Financial Relief Fund

Southland sporting organisations will be able to access financial relief as part of a Sport NZ Community Resilience Fund administered by Sport Southland, it was announced today.

The fund will be available to regional sports organisations, sports clubs and any other organisations affiliated with a Sport New Zealand national investment partner.

Eligible organisations can apply for a maximum of $1,000 for clubs and $40,000 for regional bodies.

Sport Southland chief executive Brendon McDermott said the purpose of the fund was to provide short-term relief to organisations facing severe challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s been an incredibly tough time for the sport sector during the lockdown period, with a halt to competitions and no Class 4 gaming funding seriously impacting revenue,” McDermott said.

“Play, active recreation and sport play a vital role in our wellbeing and bringing communities together. This fund will go some way to ensuring sporting organisations are in a position to support the community when the alert levels allow.”

Sport NZ have set the criteria of the funding, which will be assessed by Regional Sports Trusts as applications are received until the fund is empty.

Sport NZ chief executive Peter Miskimmin said it was hoped the relief package will provide maximum benefit for sport at a vital time.

“Clubs and regional organisations are the heartbeat of our sector but have been among the hardest hit by COVID-19, they need support now more than ever,” Miskimmin said
Further details about the fund are available on the Sport Southland website.

Application forms will also be available on the site from Monday, May 11, at 10am.