World Cup appearance propels NZ surplus
Reuters - Wednesday 04 May 2011, 06:09
WELLINGTON - New Zealand's football governing
body recorded a record budget surplus of NZ$7.7 million ($6.2
million) in 2010, boosted by prize money from the All Whites'
appearance at the World Cup finals in South Africa.
The surplus, up from NZ$1.35 million the previous year,
would provide a good platform for the game's growth, New Zealand
Football Chairman Frank van Hattum said on the governing body's
website on Wednesday.
"Last year was a high-tide mark in terms of income but it
equips us to take advantage of the opportunity our increased
profile and the current goodwill towards the game offers us," he
said.
Football plays second-fiddle by some distance to rugby, which
remains a national obsession, but the round-ball game was given
a shot in the arm by the All Whites' first World Cup
qualification since 1982.
The Ricki Herbert-coached team came away unbeaten after
three draws in the group stage in South Africa, and while it was
not enough to take them into the knockout phase the All Whites
received a hero's welcome on their return.
Van Hattum said the surplus had already been re-invested,
and cited a NZ$4 million foundation set up to fund grass-roots
development and a NZ$2.5 million chest established to help
finance the national and age-group teams' international
schedules.
The initiatives would help ensure New Zealand remained
competitive, while shedding the local game's reliance upon
tournament prize money, added Van Hattum.
"It's also a key sign, and there are many, that we are not
doomed to repeat the mistakes of 1982 and lose the opportunity
the game had," he said.