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Funding - a barrier
Tuesday, July 1st, 2008
A lack of sponsors and funding with just over a fortnight before the University and Tertiary Students Rugby League World Cup kicks off in Brisbane, Australia has caused the New Zealand team manager to plead for contributors to come aboard and financially assist the team.Bruce Milne of Christchurch said despite New Zealand having won back to back titles and being tagged as the favourites to gain a hat-trick of World Cup titles, the funding has dried up leaving each player to find $2800 of their own money to compete in the tournament.
“When you consider the high fees that students have to face already, to get that sort of money is not easy and although our council has worked hard to try and get funding, we have not had any success so far,” he said yesterday.
Milne said even though his side are still the defending champions, and have experience by having four players return that competed at the last World Cup in 2005, they could end up being the biggest losers if his team can only travel across with players that can afford to go, rather than selecting the best players on ability.
“We showed positive signs after the last World Cup of establishing grass roots in both the university and tertiary institutes and this can only be furthered by ensuring we do get across to these tournaments because in the cases of some players it may be their only opportunity ever to play against the lesser known countries that compete.”
Milne said a number of factors have contributed to the demise to the lack of funding with the biggest causes being not as much money in the pub charity coffers, which may have turned against the New Zealand Universities and Tertiary Students Rugby League Council.
“The New Zealand Rugby League has been generous in giving us some financial assistance but at the end of the day we still require more backers to come in and to cover our shortfall.”
“The tough thing is that all of our council members have various jobs outside league and do not have anyone that has the time to lure the big sponsors. Therefore the importance of getting funding cannot be underestimated as without this investment of future playing talent will be lost as well as the profile.”
“It should be remembered also that as we have some players come from the grassroots area it is hoped that some once they get their qualifications they will go on one day and put something back into the sport.”
Milne said he was still hopeful of getting funding before the New Zealand team travels a week before it kicks off its first World Cup match against the 2005 World Cup bronze medalist France on July 5.
“I am more than happy to receive any phone calls or enquiries on my mobile number of 027 434 2496 and prove to me that there are people or businesses out there that are prepared to help make a difference,” he said.
The New Zealand Universities and Tertiary Students Rugby League World Cup squad which features a strong Canterbury contingent flavour on reflection that it won the league section at the University Games for the third successive year to it is.- Ben Hurrell (Canterbury University), Scott Hurrell (Canterbury University), Anthony Mataroa (Canterbury University), Pose Manu (Canterbury University), James Roughan (Canterbury University), Johnny Pitman (Canterbury University), Keegan Taie (Canterbury University), Siona Tuiloma (Canterbury University), Paul Aitkins (Auckland University), Isaac Beach (Auckland University), Daniel McGregor (Auckland University), Tasi Cordtz (Otago University), Roy Leoni (Otago University), Laupepi Pasene (Otago University), Rema Smith (Otago University), Danny Maera (Waikato University), Troy McKenzie (Waikato University), Emmanuel Toka (Waikato University), Henry Heke (Victoria University), Karerua Savage (Victoria University), Mohi Kendrick (Eastern Institute of Technology, Hawkes Bay)
For further information please contact the New Zealand Universities and Tertiary Students Rugby League Council secretary and media liaison officer Carey Clements on 021 073 4133 or email to cnathanclements(a)hotmail.com
