Junior rugby has enjoyed a revival this year. PHOTOS/FILE
RUGBY
CHRIS COGDALE
[email protected]
Despite a 30 per cent drop in revenue, the Wairarapa-Bush Rugby Union reported a surplus of more than $24,000 at their annual general meeting on Monday night.
Chief executive officer Tony Hargood said the impact of covid-19 was reflected in the on- and off-field key performance indicators for 2020.
He said expenditure was decreased to match the reduced revenue and the shortened Heartland representative season.
That resulted in a surplus of $24,517 for the year ending December 31, 2021.
The union also offset the impact of covid-19 and the truncated club season by cancelling all affiliation fees to clubs for the 2020 season.
Another highlight was the repayment of a $276,000 debt, which had taken seven years to clear.
Hargood said the union was now debt-free and had repaid all loans, as well as the $100,000 contribution towards the redevelopment of Trust House Memorial Park in 2015.
On the playing side, Hargood reported a drop in registrations for 2020 but said there has been a resurgence back to pre-covid numbers this year, particularly with junior players.
Jason Carruthers retained his role as chairman, and Sharon Parker was elected deputy chairwoman.
Robyn Cherry-Campbell and Brady Bingham were appointed as the two new independent board members by the board selection panel to replace Vicki Lee and Andrea Jackson who retired after their three-year term and did not seek re-election.
Doug Bracewell continues as president, with Graeme ‘Bunter’ Anderson as vice-president, and Eric Kenny as patron.
Rex Playle and Shaun Draper were reappointed as the two Council of Clubs board members.
The meeting also congratulated recently retired international referee and former Black Fern Rebecca Mahoney for her contribution to playing and refereeing rugby at the highest level during her career.
Life members Baden Whale and Roddy McKenzie, who died during the year, were acknowledged for their contribution to rugby and the community at large.
The WBRU will celebrate 50 years of the amalgamation of the Wairarapa and Bush rugby unions when they host East Coast in a Heartland Championship fixture in September.
A match between a Wai-Bush Legends XV and the NZ Parliamentarian XV is also being planned as part of the celebrations.
