Sports events need support of councils

PHOENIX FEVER: Will this scene from the October A-League soccer clash at Napier's McLean Park be repeated again? PHOTO/FILE

Greater collaboration and financial support from councils is vital if Hawke's Bay is to host more major sports events.

That's the message from Team Hawke's Bay Trust chairman Kevin Murphy following a review of last October's A-League soccer clash between Wellington Phoenix and the Newcastle Jets at Napier's McLean Park. Although the match boosted the region's economy by more than $660,000, the event hosts are unlikely to look to attract other major sport events.

In a report to Sport Hawke's Bay, the Phoenix and Napier City Council, Murphy said a better underwriting model with significant support from the region's councils is needed. While hosting the game cost $160,000, the trust broke even with the project.

"If you look at the success of the Auckland Rugby League Nines, this event was funded by the Auckland council's economic growth agency (ATEED), which sees events as a key boost to tourism. That's how serious we have to be here, we need to create new sport events and also look to attract games from the likes of the NRL, AFL and A-League," Murphy said.

"This event would not have come to the region had it not been for the financial backing of local businesses, the commitment of Team Hawke's Bay Trust and energy and event management support from Sport Hawke's Bay."

At the same time, Murphy pointed out there was a refreshingly more positive approach towards the end of the planning stages due to the appointment of Wayne Jack as Napier council's new chief executive.

The report, which included an economic impact study by Sean Bevin of Economic Analysis for Success (ESL), stated that of the 8250 spectators attending the game, more than 3000 were visitors to the Bay.

Wellington Phoenix general manager David Dome said the franchise is open to returning but only if the business model was right. He added that although the club is committed to hosting most of its games in Wellington, it would continue to look to host games elsewhere.

The report stated the Napier City Council was "good to deal with through this process but was tied to policy when negotiating terms".

"They [the Phoenix] were surprised at how hard we had to work to get this part of the process confirmed and we feel that the current model does not really work when taking into account the number of visitors the game brought to the area," the report said.

In organising the game other issues revolved around lack of volunteers, ticketing for Phoenix club member ticket holders and lack of internet accessibility at entrances to the park.

"We got no revenue from Phoenix ticket holders as it was classed as a home game for members, while lack of internet at the entrances meant 'print your own ticket holders' could only access the ground from one entrance," Murphy added.