COVID-19 Update April - IHNZ

Posted April 14, 2020
IHNZ News

IHNZ has been working closely with government agencies, Aktive and Sport NZ to continue to bring you up to date developments across our sector.

We have attached the latest updates so we can continue to keep our clubs and members up to date with what is happening with Inline and in sport across New Zealand.

IHNZ Annual General Meeting:
The AGM was scheduled for 24 May 2020 in Auckland. A new date will be confirmed to all clubs once we have more information regarding alert levels. The Special General Meeting will be held on the same day.

Regional Annual General Meetings:
Both Lower and Northern Regions have had their 2020 AGMs with the following appointments:

• Northern Chair - Kathy Eastwood (Vipers)
• Lower Chair - Liam O’Brien (Capital Penguins)

Congratulations to you both!

Central Region have postponed their meeting due to the lockdown and will be advising a new date as soon as possible.

Oceanias:
IHNZ is awaiting the final cancellation costs from both the Airlines and the Hotel so we can make an insurance claim for these costs.

There have been a number of suggestions made to the Board about the event eg: that it is delayed to 2021, it becomes a smaller event for certain grades only etc. This is a decision we cannot make until all costs and insurance implications have been reviewed. Again, we will be in touch with further information once it comes to hand.

Help with Government Subsidies:
KPMG and BDO have offered a free one hour consultation for any club who would like to take up the opportunity. Please contact either of the two following organisations to make an appointment to chat further.

Luke Norman
Director
Deal Advisory, KPMG
Mob: 027 8077 989
lnorman@kpmg.co.nz

Doug Haines
Partner, BDO Wellington
Mob: 021 342 463
doug.haines@bdo.co.nz

Financial Help:
It has been suggested that any club who pays rent via a leasing arrangement, commercial contract etc, contact their landlord and ask for a reasonable reduction to be made in their payments. Sport NZ is aware of sporting organisations and clubs who are currently asking under a “no access and emergency” status with 50% deemed to be a good negotiation point.

Any club wishing to obtain a letter to support their request for mortgage relief at their bank please contact IHNZ. Any club needing mortgage relief can apply for this with their banks. Sport NZ does not encourage any personal guarantees to be made.

If it is possible to claim the wage subsidy please do so.

The overriding message is that all costs where possible are cut and debt minimised to help clubs get through this and rebuild as quickly as possible once through this period.

We understand there will be challenges for all clubs as we move forward but by eliminating the non essentials it will enable clubs to hit the ground running once Inline starts back up.

NZCT/Gaming Trusts/Lotteries:
With the announcement of Alert 4, all revenue streams have ceased as no trusts or gaming organisations etc are in the position to award funds.

These companies are not allowed to operate until at least Level 2 where they would need a minumum 4 - 6 weeks to allow revenue to build up.

It is envisaged that any applications currently sitting with a funding source would need to be resubmitted once Level 2 is announced.

Any funding received for events that will not be held needs to be returned and clubs in this position need to contact the funder in the first instance.

Local Councils:
Essential Services only are operating in council venues, these include parks, waste, water and roading. Sport parks and courts are not considered essentials.

Some park toilets, drinking fountains and outdoor showers are also closed. Services such as turf maintenance are also on hold during the level 4 alert period.

Councils are currently looking at what alert levels 2 and 3 will look like for them and redoing council budgets in line with this.

State of the Sport Sector:
Sport NZ are reviewing with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and the MInistry of Health (MOH) what the effect on sport at each alert level will be, e.g. numbers of people who can congregate together etc.

It is expected that going forward there will be movement back and forth across the levels and the impact this will have on sport is yet to be determined.

A Sport Recovery package is being developed and sent to the Government to form part of the Budget.

What IHNZ are working on during the Lockdown Period:
IHNZ will continue to function during this period and will be concentrating on the development of Inline Hockey.

We are aware that to rebuild clubs, sports and organisations will take some time going forward and as a sport that relies largely on the passion and enthusiasm of our volunteers, this will become even more important in all our futures.

We are endeavouring to cut all costs necessary and where possible. This includes cutting back on IHNZ’s administrative and operational costs where possible.

IHNZ are looking at our Strategy and Governance plans and proposals going forward.

These include:

• Establishment of a centralised database
• Development of an Introduction to Hockey Booklet for all new members
• Development of a Learn To Play Program
• Development of a Youth Coaching (12/14/16) Program
• Coach the Coach Training Plans
• Post COVID-19 Plans

We are looking at how we can further engage and communication streams with the Inline community via Facebook, videos, newsletters etc.

Facebook:
During lockdown we have posted a number of activities online of various members etc. Please keep them coming as we have had lots of feedback that whilst we are not seeing each other in person, it’s great to see what everyone is up to.

Going forward we have a number of ideas around club profiles etc that we will incorporate as well.

Communication:
We will continue to update all clubs and members regularly. It is important that we keep functioning during lockdown and essential that we hit the ground running once this lockdown is over.

We encourage you to email any questions or queries to gm@inlinehockeynz.org.nz. and we will endeavor to answer these as quickly as possible.

We also encourage all clubs to keep in contact with their members, in particular those who may be on their own or older members of our community to ensure they are supported.

In the meantime we wish you and your families a very happy Easter and stay safe all.

Regards
IHNZ Board