Bush scores $29,000 surplus

DELIGHT: Wairarapa-Bush CEO Tony Hargood (left) and chairman Paora Ammunson, happy with financial performance.PHOTO/FILE

The accounts made impressive reading at the annual meeting of the Wairarapa-Bush Rugby Football Union this week.

A surplus of $29,000 was reported, the first recorded surplus achieved by the union since 2003 and a significant improvement on last year's loss of $65,000.

Chairman Paora Ammunson said the union was well on track to make big inroads to addressing historic debts.

"A lot of work has been done to secure income in the years ahead."

Ammunson also paid tribute to the clubs which had rallied behind the changes put in place through 2013 with the objective of producing a better financial outcome, saying they had also contributed significantly to the on and off-field success.

Union president Rex Playle said the board could now look towards growing the game in the Wairarapa-Bush region. He noted the union had already adopted a clear strategy which would help in this respect with new developments giving support to college rugby, junior rugby and women's rugby and enhancing the club competitions.

Playle also paid tribute to CEO Tony Hargood and his management team for the hard work that had brought about a turnaround in the union's fortunes.

Hargood briefed those at the meeting on future plans for lights at Memorial Park and the proposed construction of an artificial turf. He said these would see a significant increase in the use of the park for various sports and it would also make the venue a better destination for families to spend time participating in the various activities which could be held there.

John Kirkup spoke on behalf of the NZRFU and congratulated the WBRFU for greatly improving its financial performance and again being seen as one of New Zealand's top Heartland unions.

No changes were made to the board or officials for the 2014 season. The board will be chaired by Ammunson and will consist of independent directors Fergus Rutherford (deputy chairman), Catherine Rossiter-Stead and Tim Fairbrother and council of clubs representatives Tim Nathan and Denis Dougherty. Eric Kenny is patron while Playle is president and Richard Dahlberg vice-president.