Rugby: Bay of Plenty in the black

Poor weather for four of the Bay of Plenty's five home games hit attendances reducing revenue by $223,000. Photo / Getty Images

The Bay of Plenty Rugby Union has weathered a big drop in gate revenue to post a profit of $51,025 for the 2010 financial year.

The profit, the union's third successive positive annual result, was achieved despite gate takings falling by 43 percent.

Union chief executive Jeremy Curragh said poor weather for four of the union's five home games in the national provincial championship hit attendances reducing revenue by $223,000.

"It is pleasing to secure a profit even after the low gate achieved. We budget conservatively with gate given it is so variable and a good match attendance should really be treated as a bonus," he said.

Revenue for the union grew by seven percent to just over $4.3 million, but Curragh said trading conditions remained difficult and were likely to be tough this year with the rugby World Cup and a condensed national provincial championship.

- NZPA