Wairarapa feels Pulse burden in fees

Netball New Zealand's annual conference this weekend could play a big part in shaping how Netball Wairarapa deal with the huge rise in affiliation fees being asked of them in the 2010 season by Netball Wellington Region. About half of that rise, which would see the fees rise from $15,000 to $30,000, can be attributed to debts incurred by the Pulse franchise and Netball Wairarapa centre manager Kim Whiteman believes that will be raised by more than just Wairarapa over the next two days.
''It's not just us who are struggling to understand why we should have to find such a huge amount for something over which we have no control,'' Whiteman said. ''Others will be keen to express their frustrations too _ there's going to be some pretty interesting debate.''
Netball Wairarapa had earlier decided to recommend to their own annual meeting in March that the proposed increase be paid to Netball Wellington Region only in part.
Under that scheme, those who would have been part of the payment process would be all premier one club sides, secondary school teams playing in the premier two to four grades and Year 7 and 8 primary school teams That would have meant that Wairarapa secondary school teams would still be able to contest major events like the Lower North Island tourney and local coaches and umpires would remain eligible to participate in Netball New Zealand courses and gain qualifications there.
But Netball Wellington Region were quick to throw cold water on that proposal. In a letter to Netball Wairarapa, they said they had discussed the affiliation fees and what other options might be available and part affiliation was out of the question. Centres like Wairarapa had to be fully affiliate or not at all.
''We understand this is not what you want to hear and appreciate your efforts in finding the best solution for the members of netball in your centre,'' the letter ended.
Whiteman agreed with at least one thing in the Netball Wellington Region response _ it was not what the Wairarapa centre wanted to hear.
''Yes, we were very disappointed, but to be honest their attitude was probably pretty much what we expected,'' Whiteman said.
Asked whether it was possible that if this weekend's conference did not find an acceptable solution, Wairarapa would make a clean break from the Netball Wellington Region, Whiteman said any decision of that type would need to have the full backing of clubs and schools.
''Obviously, it wouldn't have too much effect, if indeed any, on how netball is run here, but there would be implications to consider for our elite players and coaches, '' she said.
Netball Wairarapa has arranged a meeting for club and school delegates on March 10 and their next course of action will depend on discussions there.