CLUB RUGBY INCOME UP

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32232, 26 February 1970, Page 13

CLUB RUGBY INCOME UP

Income from club Rugby matches in Christchurch last winter was more than double the 1968 figure, probably because of interest generated by the new form of the senior competition.

The annual report of the treasurer of the Canterbury Rugby Union (Mr J. K. Torrance) showed that inter-dub gate returns rose $l4OO to $2495, which more than offset a small drop in season ticket sales.

Last year's report said the financial results in 1969 should bear a close resemblance to the result achieved in 1968. because of the similarity in programmes. This has proved to be the case. After transferring 81500 to the reserve account, the union had a $1353 excess of income over expenditure for the year. Total income increased $3500 to $31,800. The surplus from representative matches fell, a situation which the changed date of the Wellington match contributed to substantially, said Mr Torrance. Canterbury's share of the two New Zealand Rugby Union games, the test against Wales ($5079) and the TongaMaoris match ($552) produced slightly more income than the French test and the interisland game in 1968 Fees SteadyInterest on money held and profits from the “RugbyWeekly '' increased. Fees from elubs were held at the 1968 level, but clubs paid higher rates to contribute towards the greatly increased benefits available under the revised insurance scheme. Claims paid from the insurance fund were $l6OO higher at $2052, but injured players received a more realistic scale of payments. Mr Torrance said. Total expenses of $28,900 were $4BOO higher than the previous year, because of

higher costs and greater assistance to the game. Administration costs reflected rises in printing, stationery, telephones and postage However, representative teams’ expenses fell, because a southern tour is less expensive than the biennial northern tour. In anticipation of this year's northern tour, $l5OO has been added to the tours equalisation reserve: the rest of the surplus has been added to the accumulated fund, which now stands at $114,128. Loss on Park The Rugby Park revenue account showed that income from gates and rents increased, but greater expenses and extensive maintenance led to a loss of $3950. The balance sheet shows reductions in loans to the Victory Park Board and from the New Zealand Rugby Union. More loans have been and are being made to clubs with building projects in hand. The grant to the subunions was increased $3OO, to $l5OO. to assist the game in the country, and there was an increase in subsidies paid for teams .in the under-16 grade and below, because of the greater number of teams. “The absence of an international tour in the 1970 domestic season will eliminate one source of income." said Mr Torrance. “The representative programme, both home and away, will be heavy, and increases in ground rents and other costs will have their effect.”