Sport Southland to shed staff

Sport Southland will lose the equivalent of more than two staff and run a $50,000 deficit for the next financial year, but the public and the sports sector should not notice any big differences, according to general manager Brendon McDermott.

As reported in The Southland Times last week, Sport Southland funding has been cut by about $150,000 following reduced input from the Community Trust of Southland and the loss of contracts, including the nationwide Modified Tai Chi falls prevention classes and the Healthy Eating Healthy Action programme, along with a 20 per cent reduction in Green Prescription funding.

The equivalent of 2.25 fulltime jobs would be cut, Mr McDermott said.

"This has been a very hard process and uncertain time for all involved. Now that we have a way forward, we need to make sure we continue to do the best job that we can with the resources we have across the sport and recreation sector."

Sport Southland chairwoman Susan Jones said the cuts were outside the organisation's control.

"The funding reductions are not related to the organisation's performance, but they do impact the way it moves forward."

- © Fairfax NZ News

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