Selwyn Times: September 23, 2020

Selwyn Times Wednesday September 23 2020
18
Chris Barclay finds out how Covid-19 has impacted on Canterbury sports codes
Financial assistance available for rugby clubs
RUGBY CLUBS in Canterbury
battling due to Covid-19
restrictions can apply for
financial assistance as the global
pandemic threatens the future of
local sporting organisations.
The Canterbury Rugby
Football Union in conjunction
with the Mainland Foundation,
has created the 2020 Club
Covid-19 relief fund, which has
$150,000 to distribute among
clubs in the Metro, Ellesmere
and North Canterbury regions.
Clubs will be
eligible for a
tiered grant to
a maximum of
$7500 depending
on the size
of the club and
the impact
Tony
Smail
SPORT
Covid-19 has
wrought.
The grant
amount can only be used
for amateur aspects at a club
and could include covering
costs related to coaching and
encouraging participation,
training and team gear, ground
maintenance, operational
expenses including phone
and electricity bills plus club
building maintenance providing
the funds are not used for
commercial purposes.
“We want to commend all
the clubs and their volunteers,
players, coaches and other
members for their resilience
WHILE THE Covid-19
pandemic has added ‘Zoom
meetings’ to the lexicon
of business dealings,
Mainland Football is
no longer treating live
streaming as a leisurely
pursuit.
The code’s governing
body has ramped up its
virtual coverage of matches
as Covid-19 restrictions
forced the organisation to bar
spectators from its English Park
through these difficult times,”
said CRFU chief executive Tony
Smail.
Applications via the CRFU
website close on October 9.
Smail said he received an
application hours after the
assistance was advertised and
headquarters.
And while there has been some
dissent from fans unable to
enter the venue, they at least
have the ability to log on
and watch the premier English
Cup and Reta Fitzpatrick
knockout competitions
plus high school first XI
football as the season draws
to a close.
“The one thing that has
happened is Covid has taught
us all that there’s a whole lot of
different ways to communicate,”
said Mainland Football chief
executive Julian Bowden.
“The live streaming thing has
created an opportunity we knew
was there but I’d say (Covid) has
forced our hand slightly.
“It’s huge. We’re getting massive
numbers of people watching
the games in our stream.”
Broadcasting matches on
social media has also provided
an outlet to promote sponsors
who have stuck with the sport
added to the CRFU’s previous
decision to waive levies.
He said the decision to combine
with the foundation, which
distributes grants funded by
gaming machine revenue, was
made after the second wave of
Covid restrictions were introduced
last month.
Those measures impacted on
semi-finals and finals, which
were held last weekend.
“Clubs make a lot of money
through their bars and that’s
just not available to them,” Smail
said.
through tough times in 2020 via
logo placement and a plug when
development officer Jese Rawlings
is commentating.
“That’ll be something we continue
to do,” Bowden said.
“As we move through to the
national league season it’s got to
the point where all of those will
be live streamed as well.
“It’s not a new thing but the
technology has become a bit
easier and we’re seeing the value
in it now. It’s adding value to our
“Some of the clubs
indicated it hasn’t been a
great year for them so we contacted
Mainland Foundation
and we’re able to offer a fund for
our clubs which will help them
all survive and be there for next
year.”
Ramping up Mainland Football’s virtual coverage
Julian
Bowden
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
GRANTS: A relief fund has been set up
by the Canterbury Rugby Football Union
that will help clubs.
PHOTOS: KAREN CASEY
football community and players
and also our sponsors.”
Meanwhile, a lighting upgrade
is on the wish list to illuminate
the streaming experience, with
a project also including artificial
turf replacement hopefully
signed off within 12 months.
“I played out here when I was
18 and 19. It was dark then and
it’s still dark now. It’s fine to play
in and we’re lucky to have them,
but could it be better,” Bowden
said.
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