Strapped union aims for the black

The Northland Rugby Union is planning further cuts to get their spending under control after announcing a financial loss for the 2010 season.
Given the $1.5 million rescue package put together for Southland Rugby earlier this week, Northland's $63,000 cash loss is a relatively minor one but NRU Chairman Andrew Golightly said every effort will be made to record a profit this year.
The union plans to withdraw the provincial development team from their annual competition, in a one-off move to save about $25,000.
Golightly said other unions were considering the same move this year with a big crossover expected between ITM Cup and club rugby. More of the development players are expected to bolster the senior side with midweek games likely to take their toll on the player roster.
The chairman said the union would also be looking to further cut the staff budget but was quick to point out that the province's regional development officers were safe after a bumper year for grass roots rugby.
Junior player numbers increased in the region, which was one of the most pleasing aspects of the season for the union. Player registrations increased 17 per cent for the primary school age players and two per cent for 13-18 year-old players.
With registrations expected to rise again this year with New Zealand hosting the Rugby World Cup, the province's future remains upbeat.
Crowd numbers last year were described as "solid". They were a clear improvement on the previous season, while another positive for the union was the on-field performances of the Taniwha. Although they failed to make the top seven in the competition they were exciting to watch, scoring the second highest tally of tries of any team in the ITM Cup.
The completion of the new stadium at Okara Park attracted the New Zealand Maori-Barbarians match to Northland and while such matches were a strain on the resources of the union, ultimately they benefited the game here.
"The same could be said with the World Cup games this year, any financial return we might get this year won't ... cover staff wages but there are long term benefits to consider," he said.
The NRU chairman said with some question marks hanging over fans' reactions to the compressed ITM Cup this season, the union might have to be financially cautious if it didn't want to return another loss for the 2011 year.
"It's still knife edge stuff for us. If we, and the other smaller provincial unions, don't perform financially then inevitably there will be further competition reviews, " he said.
He reiterated his belief that the province should be in the top eight teams on the field - and among the top 10 financial performers.
The NRU annual general meeting will be held at the Marist Clubrooms at Kensington Park on Wednesday at 7.30pm.