GymSports NZ Responds to $1.6 Million Funding Cut

GymSports NZ Responds to $1.6 Million Funding Cut

Auckland, 11th December 2015: Sport NZ today announced the funding arrangements for delivery partners in the community sport space for the next four-year cycle beginning July 1 2016. Of the 86 applicants linked to this funding, there have been a mixture of increases, retentions and decreases in funding. GymSports NZ was dismayed to learn this week that it would be in the latter bracket of decreased funding and that this would be significant. The significance of this has now been realised in the form of a 62% decrease in funding, representing an annual cut of $400,000. The new investment is an annual baseline figure of $250,000 with an additional one off sum of $280,000 to assist the organisation to manage the severity of the decrease.

Sport NZ has indicated a significant shift in strategic focus as a key factor in the decision making process. In essence this strategic focus is directed at the ‘channel to market’ opportunities for participation with a particular emphasis on in-curricular activity. This focus also targets currently identified participation demographics that are underrepresented in sport and recreation activity. This has seen Sport NZ reposition NSOs like GymSports NZ within the sport and recreation space through the funds allocation process. This is based on Sport NZ’s assessment of each NSO’s ability to meet the demands of their new focus areas. Whilst funding has been significantly reduced a $1.28 million investment over four years by Sport NZ remains, for GymSports NZ to continue the cultivation of competition and pathway development.

“This is a significant blow to the gymsports community in NZ. We accept Sport NZ’s right to shift strategic focus to other areas of targeted participation but we are however surprised, given our Clubs’ successful delivery track record in increasing participation opportunities, that Sport NZ do not see this being maintained by us moving forward. The funding decision also does not take into account the significant work that will be required to not only maintain, but to grow participation in current areas of engagement. We are gravely concerned this will result in less participation which is an outcome neither ourselves nor Sport NZ would desire.” – Tony Compier, CEO.

“We have always viewed Sport NZ as our most significant industry partner in facilitating the delivery of participation opportunities through the gymsports community. This partnership has always been built on a common strategic direction that we now surprisingly find does not appear to be aligned. This is with particular reference to delivery and outcomes that as a result of the proposed level of funding, severely reduces the ability of this partnership to deliver on targeted participation expectations.” - Dr Denis Mowbray, Chairman of the Board.

“Whilst we are still coming to terms with the implications of such a severe reduction in funding, we believe strongly in the value that the gymsports community presents. We are confident that this value will continue well in to the future and we will work closely with our members to ensure they are given the best possible opportunity to convert this value in to participation opportunities for all New Zealanders.” – Tony Compier, CEO.

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