The surplus, the second in succession after four previous years of deficits, represents an increase of almost $1 million from 2008’s $361,000.
A record crowd in Wellington for the final leg of a FIFA World Cup playoff, a favourable exchange rate when converting prize money from the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and a strong focus on organisational efficiency all contributed to the end result.
NZF chairman Frank van Hattum said football had worked extremely hard over the last two years to reverse its financial position and set a new strategic direction. The seven federations across New Zealand and their clubs had worked in partnership with NZF to achieve this outcome.
But the drive towards sustainability was just beginning, van Hattum said. “We have steered our way out of the dire financial problems of two years ago and built the foundation of a great football future and now we need to work together to achieve our objectives fully.”
“I would also like to acknowledge the ongoing support, belief and investment from SPARC and the financial assistance from Kiwibank we received two years ago.”
Van Hattum’s address to the congress impressed the need to work to the sport’s strategic plan while ensuring a legacy is in place from the All Whites qualification to the FIFA World Cup 2010. Plans to cement that in place are due to be announced shortly.
“A top performing organisation will be judged on what it does in both bad and good times. Now we need to ensure that we grow and flourish.”
The surplus also saw New Zealand Football confirm a number of other financial wins.
Repayments on a $1.5 million loan were ahead of schedule while the organisation had erased its working capital deficit and the balance sheet was once again in the black.
NZF Chief Executive Officer Michael Glading said a key theme for the next 12 months was investment.
“We don’t enjoy the reserves that other sporting bodies have and it is prudent that we start to save to protect us and our stakeholders in hard times and generate other income streams to fund the good times,” Glading said.”
We will continue to invest in players, coaches and the game in general.
“This season we are already close to training 1500 new junior coaches through our Small Whites campaign, our national talent centres are nurturing future internationals and in the near future we’ will launch a wide- ranging plan for the whole of football.”
The congress also saw Andrew Titter re-appointed to New Zealand Football’s seven-member board while Dougal McGowan was elected to replace the out-going Mark Stewart.
Story courtesy NZF Media.
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