Issue 116 : 23 October 2022
Talofa Lava, Kia Orana, Malo E Leilei, Tena Koutou, Hello ...
... and welcome to the latest issue of “For The Love Of The Game”, the official e-zine of the New Zealand Amateur Sport Association Inc., founded in Wellington, New Zealand in 2017.
If you have any feedback on this issue, ideas for future articles, or would like to contact the Editor, please click here. And, you are invited to forward the e-zine to others you know, who may be interested in reading it. An archive of earlier editions of the e-zine can be found here.
For those who follow Twitter, you can also follow the Association, @AmateurSportNZ. If you are interested in applying for membership of the Association, please click here.
2022 NSCS Reveals Fresh Community Club Insights ...
The 2022 National Sport Club Survey (NSCS) has revealed that clubs nationally appear to have coped with the COVID pandemic, but now face new challenges as they look ahead to meeting the requirements of a changing regulatory environment.
10% of clubs reported losing money in 2022 which is up from 2021, but similar to 2020 (11%). Fewer clubs reported losing money in 2019 and 2018. The average membership of a sport club in New Zealand is steady this year (203) compared to 2021 and back to the level it was in 2018, after a noted decline in 2019 (190) and 2020 (175).
However, the amended Incorporated Societies Act will have a profound effect on community sport clubs due to increased regulatory obligations for club volunteers. Information about these changes has not trickled down effectively yet, as 27% of clubs reported not being aware of it. Notably, 32% of clubs said their constitution had not been reviewed in the last two years; under the new Act, all clubs will need to register a new constitution.
Clubs were also asked to report on the nature of their relationships with local authorities. Engagement was reported to be positive but communication from local authorities to clubs was reported to be less effective. It was notable that Auckland-based clubs were less positive in respect to both engagement and communication, than clubs located elsewhere. In addition, rural clubs reported more effective communication with local authorities than urban clubs.
You can read the full NSCS Media Release here.
Viewpoint: "It’s Not Just Sport Clubs That Are Affected" ...
In a recent discussion with one of New Zealand’s large municipal authorities, the Association was reminded that the impact of the Incorporated Societies Act 2022 (and its associated regulations) falls on a much broader field of volunteer community organisations which make use of local authority facilities.
In fact, there is a genuine concern that should many of these organisations (which in many cases will be even less resourced than a community sports club and in many cases are operated by older people) decide to not renew their incorporation under the new law, there is a potential waterfall impact on the usage of ratepayer-owned facilities.
Recently dissolved community organisations like the "Balatino Dance Club", "Friends of the Taradale Library", "Hutt Valley Model Railway Club", the "Mamaku Services And Citizens Community Club", "Silver Notes Traditional Music Club" and the "South Canterbury Electronic Organ And Keyboard Club", may all make use of local Council-owned facilities which are intended to support the community, across generations.
Whether or not other similar still incorporated entities feel able to meet the new legislative and regulatory requirements remains to be seen. In the meantime, local authorities will be considering how best to support all their incorporated society stakeholders (including sport clubs) in maintaining their incorporated status for the benefit of ratepayers.
An Update On 2022 NSCS Workshop Venues And Dates ...
Those interested in learning more about the insights from the NSCS will have the opportunity to do so through 2022 regional workshops planned for various locations throughout the country.
At the time of writing, workshops are confirmed in Hawkes Bay (Napier) on Wednesday, 23 November at 7.30am and then in Wellington (on the same day) at Nuku Ora, Thorndon Quay at 5.30pm. A breakfast seminar is confirmed at Fraser Park Sportsville (Lower Hutt) for the following morning, Thursday, 24 November. A workshop is also being scheduled for Sport Waitakere and Harbour Sport in Auckland, also in November, (dates and times to be confirmed). For more details regarding any of these sessions (and for information on seminars in other locations), please contact the Association by clicking here.
(Fraser Park Sportsville in Hutt City will host a NSCS workshop on 24 November)
Consultation On New Regulations Now Underway ...
Regulations are being developed to support the Incorporated Societies Act 2022 that was passed in April this year. The regulations will determine some of the details of the new regime, such as how societies apply for re-registration and what penalties they will face if they breach their obligations. The consultation on regulations for the new Act is open until 22 November.
The Association will make a detailed submission on all 27 questions raised. Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) officials are aware of our specific proposals following our recent meeting with the Minister, (which will be included in our response) and we remain in regular contact with Ministry officials.
You can download the consultation document, here.
Suburbs Piako Hockey Club Inc. Wins Dynasty Sport Prize Draw ...
Dynasty Sport’s Paul Latham was on-hand last week, to make the 2022 NSCS Prize Draw for $500 of Dynasty Sport sportswear. Congratulations to Hamilton’s “Suburbs Piako Hockey Club Inc.”, who were the Prize Draw winner! Our thanks to Dynasty Sport for their ongoing generous support of the National Sport Club Survey.
Suburbs Piako Hockey Club Inc. (based in the Waikato) aims to be the club of choice in Hamilton, providing social and competitive hockey opportunities for all, in a friendly, safe and inclusive environment that enhances the health and wellbeing of its members.
Four other $100 Prezzy-Card vouchers were also awarded to the following sport clubs: Burnside Indoor Bowling Club, (Dunedin); Kirwee Cricket Club, (Canterbury Country); Paeroa Croquet Club, (Thames); and Tekapo Ski Club, (Mackenzie Basin).
Board Briefing For Association Members, 7 November ...
A reminder that an exclusive Board Briefing is being offered to members of the Association on Monday, 7 November in Wellington, or on-line. To register to attend (either in person, or remotely via ZOOM), please contact the Association by clicking here.
The briefing will cover the Association’s activity in each of its three strategic pillars: "amateur advocacy"; "thought leadership" and "community engagement", and will seek feedback on how the Association can best serve its members over the coming year.
From The Archives ...
ALBION CRICKET CLUB’S DIAMOND JUBILEE
CRICKETERS’ PARADE SERVICE
OTAGO DAILY TIMES, ISSUE 19436, 23 MARCH 1925, PAGE 11
“The functions in connection with the Albion Cricket Club’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations commenced with a Cricketers’ Parade Service held in the Dundas Street Methodist Church last evening. The Rev. E. O. Blamires (Albion First Grade Captain and Otago Team Captain) conducted the service."
"That a club had existed for 60 years without a break, said the preacher, withstanding the many undermining influences that so often caused groups of men to disband; that throughout, the forces making for fellowship and brotherhood had been stronger than the separate influences. Year after year there had been found officials, committeemen, painstaking secretaries, etc., who had been willing to give voluntary service, often with little recognition or thanks, bound together by the team spirit, not each for himself but each for the whole; was something that won respect, something of good repute."
"There was something of virtue in it, something deemed worthy of praise, and according to the advice of St. Paul, the thought of such things should be cherished.”
(“EO” Blamires, circled, with the Otago Representative Cricket Team)
Ernest Oswald (known as “EO”) Blamires was born in the state of Victoria in Australia, in 1881 and was educated at Wesley College, Melbourne, (a religious Methodist school). In 1903 he came to New Zealand and trained as a Methodist minister and following his ordination served in Port Chalmers, Napier, Kaiapoi, Dunedin, Wellington, Hawera and Hamilton.
A keen sportsman and cricketer, he was selected as a Wellington cricket representative in the 1911-12 season. In 1923 he captained South Taranaki against the touring Australians, in which he took five catches in one innings. In 1923 he represented Whanganui and the following year he scored 1,000 runs in Otago and was selected for New Zealand. That season he also captained Otago to its first-ever Plunket Shield victory, defeating Wellington.
(Reverend Blamires at a "Bowling Veterans Tournament", Gate Pa, 1962)
Ernest married Annie Anderson in 1910 with whom he had three daughters, Betty, Nina Vivienne and Patricia. Always linking sport to his religious calling, Blamires provided service in administration and governance for clubs associated with local Methodist churches throughout New Zealand, throughout his life. He died in Takapuna, Auckland, on 6 June, 1963.
The Final Word ...
“As the challenge escalates, the need for teamwork elevates.”
(John C. Maxwell)