Club members buzz in for fundraising

Tough economic times is forcing cash-strapped sports clubs to raise money in new ways. Helen Laurent looks in on a club that has turned to marketing research for help
Birkenhead Cricket Club is buzzing with excitement over the potential of a new money earner.
As the cost of living rises and the economy slows, luxuries and extracurricular activities slip further down many families' priority lists.
That's bad news for sports clubs struggling to buy equipment and facilities.
The Birkenhead club is taking an unusual approach to fundraising, which it hopes will bring in the thousands of dollars it needs to build indoor practise nets.
Club communications director Denise Montgomery says it's the first New Zealand sports club to form a partnership with marketing research company Buzz. Club members sign up with the company then fill in surveys for its clients, such as charity organisations, media companies and government departments.
For every survey filled out, Buzz donates $1 to Birkenhead City Cricket Club.
Buzz marketing executive William Van Ausdal confirms Birkenhead is the first sports club to join up, but it's unlikely to be the only one for long. He says if it's successful the fundraising will be introduced to other major codes like rugby and soccer.
"It's got the potential to be a steady stream of income for a club," he says. It's early days yet but, so far, about 10 per cent of Birkenhead Cricket Club's members have signed up with Buzz.
The money raised will go towards building indoor practise nets at Birkenhead Memorial Park. Currently, the club's forced to hire nets at $60 an hour to practise in bad weather.
Ms Montgomery says clubs are having to think outside the square these days to attract money.
"It's much harder for sports clubs to get funding with reduced funds from the trusts. Clubs need to have a fulltime admin person. You have to do your own funding as even sponsorship is a bit thin on the ground," she says.
"Once parents have paid for equipment and everything, there is not a lot left. This way, people don't have to leave their seats to fundraise. For people on limited time, it's great."
The 2008/2009 cricket season starts in November. Birkenhead City Cricket Club officials say membership is growing at junior level and is steady at senior.
Like many other clubs, it is also offering different forms of the game such as Kiwi Cricket and 20/20 teams.