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Sport NZ has today unveiled a $25 million package to provide further short-term relief for sports organisations and clubs affected by COVID-19.

The funds have been made available through savings achieved from the reprioritisation of Sport NZ’s work programme due to the current crisis, as well as the drawing down on cash reserves.

The aim of the initiative is to provide relief for struggling local and regional sport and recreation organisations. This relief will be provided via a $15m Community Resilience Fund.

“Play, active recreation and sport have a key role in maintaining individual health and wellbeing, bringing our communities together and keeping these communities strong,” Sport NZ CEO Peter Miskimmin said.

“It is vital that organisations at all levels of our sector remain viable and are there when play, active recreation and sport can fully resume, and we believe we have structured this relief package in a way that will maximise its benefit at all levels of the sector for the greatest possible good.

“Clubs and regional organisations are the heartbeat of our sector but have been among the hardest hit by COVID-19, particularly through the loss of Class 4 gaming revenue and membership fees and they need support now more than ever."

The Sport NZ Community Resilience Fund opens next week and will be administered through New Zealand’s 14 regional sports trusts due to the strength of their networks deep into their local sport and recreation communities.

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

Rugby clubs from the Counties Manukau region will be able to apply for funding directly through CLM Community Sport - https://m.clmnz.co.nz/counties/ - from 10am on Monday, May 11.

For any assistance and/or questions, please contact Annette Tossell E: annette.tossell@steelers.co.nz M: 027 227 9729.

Also included in Sport NZ’s $25 million relief package are:

A partner support fund ($6 million) to help Sport NZ and HPSNZ investment partners maintain critical roles and business functions which are at risk due to COVID-19
An exceptional system support fund ($1 million) to protect key national organisations who are not normal recipients of Sport NZ investment.

A physical activity fund ($3 million) to promote play, active recreation and sport opportunities to those who most need it (e.g. people who are less active, disabled or live in high deprivation areas
Further details on these three funds will be announced over the coming weeks and we will publish these updates here on the Counties Manukau Rugby website as soon as the information is made public.

More information on new $25 million short-term relief package can be found here: https://sportnz.org.nz/covid-19/sector-support-package/community-resilience-fund/.