Annual surplus for Bush union

Paora Ammunson, elected board chairman for fourth year. PHOTO/FILE

WAIRARAPA-Bush Rugby Union chairman Paora Ammunson announced a third consecutive annual surplus for the financial year ended December 31, 2015, of $10,351 at the annual meeting of the union on Monday night.

"While 2015 was a challenging year with the final instalment of the NZRU loan being repaid and the opening of Trust House Memorial Park, all things considered the board came very close to achieving its overall targets," Ammunson said.

The onfield performance of the union continued to be a major highlight with the Heartland and other representative teams performing well and player numbers increasing at all levels of the game. Other welcome news was that Trust House Memorial Park and the Wairarapa region will play host to the Hurricances under-18 camp for the next three years.

"Our rugby continues to grow due to the hard and dedicated work of our clubs, colleges and volunteers and it is very pleasing to see all clubs fielding teams in our senior competition."

The meeting was told the NZRU loan had now been repaid. It meant the union had been "given back" to its clubs to determine its own destiny and plans could now begin on establishing new goals for the next five years. These would involve investing further in stakeholders, clubs, colleges and player pathways.

"It is also satisfying to be rated now in the top three Heartland provincial unions based on the pre-determined targets set out over the last three years," Ammunson said, adding that special mention needed to be given to Fergus Rutherford (chairman of audit and risk) and John Kirkup (NZRU observer) for their efforts and guidance during the past three terms.

Ammunson was elected board chairman for the fourth successive year and his deputy will be Tim Nathan, who is also a council of clubs representative, along with Dennis Dougherty. Appointed as independent directors for a three-year term have been Jason Carruthers and Rebecca Sayer, while Catherine Rossiter-Stead and Ammunson continue on the board for another two years.

The position of patron of the WBRFU is held by Eric Kenny while Richard Dahlberg is president and Ritchie Robertson vice-president. A stalwart of Wairarapa-Bush rugby, Sir Brian Lochore, was elected patron of the NZRU at its annual meeting last month.