Hockey attacks Govt for lack of support

Press, 2 June 1989, Page 27

Hockey attacks Govt for lack of support

By

KEVIN TUTTY

The chairman of the New Zealand Hockey Federation, David Appleby, has joined the ranks of national sports administrators bemoaning the lack of Lottery Board and Government funds for the Hillary Commission and the Sports Foundation.

Several sports administrators have said in recent weeks that cuts in funding to both bodies have thrown their plans for international competition this year into disarray.

The Sports Foundation receives 40 per cent of its funding from the Lottery Board via the Hillary Commission, but receives no direct Government funding, says Mr Appleby. The commission was totally dependent on Government funds and Lottery Board grants. Last year the commission received 54.5 M from the Government and $6.8 million from the Lottery Board, said Mr Appleby. This year the commission sought $15.9 million from the Lottery Board to continue to develop its many programmes, and allowed for a Government grant of $4.5 million.

with certainty on the level of funding available from organisations such as the Sports Foundation and Hillary Commission,” said Mr Appleby.

“The level of Government support to New Zealand sport is abysmal,” he said. “The State spends a $1 per head of population on sport in New Zealand. It portrays the Government in a bad light when you compare it with the United States $10; Canada $4.20; the Netherlands $6.60; and Australia $2.70.”

Speaking last evening to players, coaches and administrators attending the Champions tournament, Mr Appleby said the lack of financial support was a "terrible indictment on the emphasis politicians place on sports in New Zealand.” “Politicians are more anxious to ride on the coat tails of international success achieved by New Zealand sportsmen and woman, but are not prepared to put their money where their mouth is and provide direct Government support to New Zealand sport.” Mr Appleby said as a sports administrator it was gratifying to recognise the effort of both the Sports Foundation and the Hillary Commission to assist sport, but it was of concern that their work was being frustrated by a lack of guaranteed funding from all sources.

Hockey was finalising an application to the commission for future support which involved hockey preparing a detailed management plan for the next three years. Without some form of Government funding New Zealand sports would not be able to achieve those development plans envisaged by the commission, said Mr Appleby. In the long term sports would be unable to maintain active participation in international events. "Simply, New Zealand sports deserve a better deal than the Government is providing,” said Mr Appleby.

"The Lottery Board has allocated only $7 million and the Government has indicated that it will cut back its grant to $3.5 million, a cut of approximately 22 per cent.

“There is no purpose in New Zealand sports undertaking long term plans both for coaching and development of the game at domestic level, and for international competition, unless they can rely