Netball: Loss shows rep format unsustainable — Bredin

Jono Bredin.
Jono Bredin.
Dunedin Netball chairman Jono Bredin says the organisation's latest financial report is proof the current representative format is not sustainable.

It held its annual meeting earlier this week, and reported a $37,976 deficit from last year.

After reporting a $21,320 surplus the previous year, a deficit was forecast last year, Bredin said.

"We had budgeted to make a deficit equal to last year's profit, but we're slightly over that,'' he said.

The deficit is due to the almost $50,000 Dunedin Netball spent on sending its under-17, under-19 and senior teams to national championships in the North Island.

"Last financial year was the first time all three of those tournaments were out of Dunedin,'' Bredin said.

"Basically, our deficit is equal to the running of those programmes, which is an investment which we made to develop our players, our coaches and everything else.

"What it has highlighted is that the current competition structure is not sustainable ... Netball New Zealand [NNZ] has undergone a complete competition review and the outcome of that will be announced in the next wee while.''

Dunedin Netball does not need to worry about the senior NPC this year.

It has been replaced by the new national league, which will include a team from each of the five zones and run in conjunction with the ANZ Championship.

This year's under-17 and under-19 tournaments are in Rangiora and Nelson, respectively, which will also help Dunedin Netball's coffers.

"While I never like reporting a loss, I'm quite comfortable with the reasons for it,'' Bredin said.

"We have budgeted to break even or a small loss this year, and we will continue to try and do that on a yearly basis.''

Dunedin Netball replaced all of its uniforms last year, which added to the depreciation total ($25,284).

Dunedin Netball has $109,743 in the bank, including $94,202 in a savings account.

Bredin, who received a service award at NNZ's annual meeting in Auckland last week, said the organisation's biggest challenge was securing sponsors and grants.

"Dunedin Netball seems to be the little brother or sister of Netball South, in respect to gaming funding. Trying to get local support is a challenge for us,'' he said.

● Dot Stewart, of the Southern club, was awarded a Dunedin Netball service award at the annual meeting.

Stewart joined the club in 1968 and played for the top side in A grade until 1979.

She went on to play for the Southern Gold team for 35 years, and recently played in the Dunedin Masters Games.

She also coached Southern's senior team in the 1970s and was the club's treasurer.

Stephanie Brenssell, Janine Hayward, Trudi Marsh, Christine Thomlinson and Noeline Scott also received service awards.

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