Grass Roots Sport Under Threat | Keep Sport Alive In Canterbury

Canterbury Sporting Bodies Brace for Impact of Pokie Bill

Grass roots sporting organisations are bracing for the impact of a ?pokie bill? that could change the way these bodies are funded in the future.

Pokie machines currently generate an estimated $30 million in revenue per annum that directly benefits Canterbury?s charitable organisations, many of which come from the sport and recreation sector.

Submissions to the parliamentary select committee are due on 21 June 2012; therefore the petition is being circulated at present, and the sporting public is encouraged to take an interest.

Canterbury?s regional sporting organisations, such as softball, rugby league and hockey receive (on average) approximately 20% of their funding from gaming machine proceeds, with some sports relying on over 50% of funding from gaming alone.

The Gambling (Gambling Harm Reduction) Amendment Bill 2012 attempts to address the harm caused by problem gambling and could lead to the removal of pokie machines New Zealand-wide.

?No one in the entire sector is challenging the need to address problem gambling,? says Sport Canterbury Chief Executive Geoff Barry. ?The reality, however, is that this funding has made it possible for more Cantabrians to participate in sport ? while paying less than the true cost of their activities.

?The question is whether taking away the gaming subsidy will mean that, for many people, sport is no longer affordable.?

Canterbury Rugby League is one of the sports receiving over 50% of its current revenue from gaming machine proceeds. General Manager Craig Kerr indicated that the funding currently supports the costs of staff administering and promoting the code.

?If our funding decreased, it would significantly impact our staffing levels and ability to administer rugby league across the region.?

Gaming funding is applied to a wide range of sport and recreation projects, from uniform and equipment purchase; to facility hire and lease; to administration salaries; to travel and accommodation for tournaments and events.

Selwyn Maister is Chairman of the Canterbury Artificial Surfaces Trust and recognises the value in this particular source of funding.

?The field at Nunweek Park would have had a large debt that would have had to be paid off by all local hockey players in increased fees if it had not been for the assistance of several donations from gaming proceeds.?

Funds from gaming assist not only with annual costs, but also a number of key capital projects throughout the region. Development of the Nunweek Park hockey field following last year?s earthquakes required an $1.8 million investment; over $400,000 was secured at short notice from the charitable societies responsible for distributing these funds.

Given intense interest in the bill within the sporting community, Barry says that Sport Canterbury will canvas public sentiment and document the issues raised by grass roots organisations that have been reliant on this funding.

?The process will involve inviting the sporting public to have a voice, by submitting a written statement or signing a petition. We are hopeful for widespread input, since potentially this change in funding could mean drastic changes in access and participation for many of Canterbury?s grass roots sporting bodies.

?This is the community?s chance to have a voice.?

Submissions to the parliamentary select committee are due on 21 June 2012; therefore the petition, in response to the bill?s proposed amendments, is being circulated at present.

Petition ? Position of Sport and Recreation in Canterbury on the Gambling Amendment Bill 2012

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About Sport Canterbury

Sport Canterbury engages over 100,000 people each year in programmes designed to share the benefits of an active, sporting lifestyle. As New Zealand?s leading regional sports trust, Sport Canterbury employs dedicated, experienced staff who are passionate about supporting teachers and parents, athletes and administrators, to enrich sporting opportunities for future generations. It?s about improving access for the wider community and simply seeing ?more people, more active, more often.?

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Living in this special part of the South Island, I'm one of many people fortunate enough to enjoy the sporting opportunities that go along with our alps to ocean environment. Whether surf, cycling or team sports, there are so many ways to make the most of living in Canterbury. I look forward to helping you connect with local events, community programmes and the team at Sport Canterbury, who are passionate about seeing "more people, more active, more often."

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