Loan levy frustrates netballers

Debate around whether netballers in Manawatu should help repay the debts of the Central Pulse dominated discussions at the Netball Manawatu annual meeting held at Vautier Park last night.

Earlier this week, the Manawatu Standard reported that a levy would be added to fees for players this season to help cover the debts of the Pulse.

Western Netball board member Dean Hyde revealed that the four stakeholders in the Pulse, Western, Eastern, Tasman and Wellington, weren't told they would have to help pay back the loans until the cash was passed on to keep the Pulse afloat.

Because Netball Manawatu falls under the Western banner, it has been forced to contribute to pay the levy. The levy is likely to be $5 for juniors and $10 for seniors.

"Even though I know people are really annoyed, we can only look upon this year as a contribution to the Pulse," Hyde said.

Western's frustration at having to help pay back the two loans of $400,000 from 2008 and $320,000 last year, without having known they were being given to the Pulse, had been passed on to Netball New Zealand.

"`Disappointed' is probably a very conservative term," Hyde said.

"That view has been expressed very strongly to Netball New Zealand."

Karen Giles, of Ashhurst School, said the levy wasn't fair on lower levels. "I had three kids come to me today who said they couldn't afford to play netball this year," she said.

"It's like a chicken and egg scenario. We need to grow our sports but the kids are going to other sports."

Netball Manawatu recorded a surplus of $1070 in the past financial year, which was a marked improvement from the deficit of $31,804 recorded in 2008. Grant funding dropped considerably from $109,099 in 2008 to only $47,476 last year.

Financial officer Viv Cotton said grant funding was harder to access due to the tough economic climate, but the surplus was achieved through good management.

"We went on an absolute cost-cutting exercise," she explained.

Umpiring co-ordinator Linda Liggins was made a life member of Netball Manawatu last night.

Liggins has volunteered for Netball Manawatu since 1995 and was last year awarded the inaugural Netball New Zealand Official of the Year service award.

She has worked tirelessly to ensure the high standard of umpiring in Manawatu and the Western region.

"It's been my absolute pleasure to contribute to umpiring and all netball in the region," Liggins said.

The opening of the new pavilion at Vautier Park is on Sunday from 10.30am. The highlight will be the first game of fastnet seen in Palmerston North, between a combination of under-17 and under-19 reps against some well-known Manawatu faces.

- © Fairfax NZ News