The co-lead of a survey into New Zealand community sport says the sector needs more support from those who oversee it.
Photo: Facebook / Greytown Rugby Club
New Zealand Amateur Sport Association and AUT's Sport Performance Research Institute conducted the survey and the initial findings were released on Friday.
The 2020 National Sport Club Survey reached more than 1100 clubs across 80 sports and all 17 regions, and responses showed Covid-19 was putting further pressure on many grassroots sports organisations.
Many reported significant financial hits, with 11 percent of clubs losing money - more than double that of 2019.
Traditional sports like rugby, netball and cricket were being hardest hit, with less than a third stating they would "shortly be back to normal".
Despite the struggles, more than two-thirds of clubs said they've had no financial relief from national or regional bodies, or central or local government.
Project co-lead, Dr Michael Naylor from AUT, noted Covid-19 had "significantly impacted" New Zealand's sport clubs.
"More comprehensive support from both sport organisations and the public sector is required.
"Those sports with mostly smaller clubs must urgently explore innovative operational models for ongoing viability."
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Membership numbers also continued to dwindle.
The average club size was down a further 10 per cent to just 175, with 30 per cent of all clubs now in a membership decline.
New Zealand Amateur Sport Association chair Gordon Noble-Campbell said there were significant operational challenges facing sport clubs in 2020.
"In the wake of the pandemic, the normal environment for community sport has been severely disrupted, with the financial impact of reduced income from all sources likely to increase pressure on club volunteers to make ends meet."
Other insights from the survey - related to governance, management, volunteers, funding, sponsorship, resilience, innovation and more - would be circulated through regional workshops, social media and infographics in coming weeks.
