BOPRU positive, profitable again

BOP Rugby Union chief executive Mike Rogers.

The Bay of Plenty Rugby Union has announced a profit of $596,682 for the 2013 financial year.

Chief executive Mike Rogers said he was pleased to announce the union had posted a positive result for the sixth consecutive year.

"The result includes a distribution from the Chiefs which we have reinvested into the Chiefs as part of the new ownership model," he said.

"Financial performance is important for any sporting organisation and our view is that one of the primary roles as a board is to provide financial stability throughout the region for the benefit and growth of rugby.

"This will continue to be a focus.

"The growth in our game at the community level over the past four years is particularly encouraging. We have focused resources in this area of our game and the results show some positive outcomes, especially the strong growth in our active referees."

However, there was still much to do to further grow player participation.

"Volunteer referee and coach numbers were critical to providing opportunities for all who wanted to play rugby, so focus would stay on developing that area.

BOPRU also announced the plan to establish an endowment fund to provide capital from which income would be guaranteed every year to support community rugby in the Bay. Clubs, schools and referees would be the primary beneficiaries.

"The initiative is aimed at assisting in providing long-term financial stability for rugby in the Bay of Plenty.

"Thanks to some very astute management over the past five years the board has steered the union from the brink of financial ruin to a much stronger position. We must now act prudently and with conviction to escalate the growth in our financial position."

BOPRU also confirmed that there was no change to the board with rugby directors Paul Owen, Mark Canning and independent director Bill Gartshore returned unopposed for a further three-year term.