Big rise in hockey fees

Press, 26 February 1981, Page 19

Big rise in hockey fees

A substantial rise in levies will have to be met by hockey clubs and players in Christchurch this season. At rhe annual meeting of the Canterbury Hockey Association approval was given for a rise in the fees of an open graded team from $lO4 to $258. Last year the association ran at a loss of $633. As it struggled through that season it gave clubs ample warning they faced a big hike in affiliation fees to enable the association to operate above the breadline in 1981. Even with the big lift in fees the association’s budget

.has it breaking about even at the end of the season. After fees payable to the {New Zealand Hockey Association are added and open graded side will be paying] about $370 in levies. i There was opposition to the increases. One delegate called them “savage” but the vote was 22-19 for the new fees. Mr N. Edmundson, a member of the association’s management committee told the meeting where it could expect the bulk of the additional money to be spent. Travel costs would account ifor $5O, increases in ground | rentals $2O, and coaching, [promotion and catering for

visiting teams $2O. They' were the major items. Increases in the fees for under-age teams were also approved. Under 19 and under 17 sides will pay $l2O in fees ($BO last year) and teams aged under 15 and below $BO ($35 last year). Mr Edmundson said the increases did not allow for assistance to the association’s

representative teams. “Players will have to raise their own money 7 and with the colts tournament in Auckland and the senior tournament in Whangarei, which will be attended by two teams, that’s a huge cost.”