Rugby: Otago fans prepared to donate money

Otago rugby fans say they are prepared to dip into their own pockets to help save the Otago Rugby Football Union.

The rugby community is in shock after it was revealed the ORFU, saddled with debts of more than $2.2 million, will go into liquidation on Friday.

NZRU boss Steve Tew was reported as saying this morning the union needed $1 million by Friday if it was to field an ITM Cup team.

Tew has now clarified that and said the deadline was "a couple of weeks" for Otago to come up with a plan to show there was sufficient resources to be able to field a side in the ITM Cup. This could cost anywhere between $600,000 to $1 million.

Fans commenting on the Otago Razorbacks Facebook page say they are prepared to donate money make this happen.

Logan Ewens suggested a collection plate at the Highlanders game this weekend. "Though it may be too late, I'd donate $100 or so to help keep Otago alive."

Brendon Johnston wrote: " I'm in for $100. Let us know the account so we can raise the $1m by Friday!

James Walton and Lauren Shaw said they would donate money while Richard Buchan wrote: "Can we find 20,000 good southerners to donate $100 each?"

Henry Holdaway had a novel suggestion for fundraising.

"Lobby Speight's to release a range of commemorative cans of 15 legends of Otago rugby, with a portion of profits going towards the ORFU. Otago rugby has a lot of supporters who enjoy Speights and would enjoy the process of collecting all 15 cans."

Other fans commenting looked at the wider picture and pointed the finger of blame at the professional era.

Paul Wadsworth said it was time to "save our game."

"The death of provincial unions in NZ will be the death of rugby in NZ. Super Rugby is nothing but a joke. NZ will end up like OZ with no national competition and just 5 teams playing. At least South Africa have the balls to try and save their Currie Cup comp Super rugby is only truly beneficial for Oz rugby and at what cost to NZ rugby.... well we are now starting to see the cost."

- ODT Online

 

 

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