Tasman Makos: News

Save Our Makos seeks $100,000
06-Oct-2008

By SIMON BLOOMBERG - Nelson

The embattled Tasman Makos have received plenty of moral support from rugby enthusiasts around the Nelson region but now Tasman Rugby Union board member Shane Drummond says it's "show me the money" time.

Last week, the New Zealand Rugby Union gave the Makos a stay of execution when it reversed a decision to dump Tasman and Northland from the Air New Zealand Cup. However, the NZRU qualified that decision, saying that first Tasman had to regain support from the Marlborough sub-union as well as showing that Tasman is financially viable.

Mr Drummond believes the differences between Nelson Bays and Marlborough can be resolved but said Tasman needed a helping hand to surmount its financial problems. That's why he's banded together with a group of "passionate" rugby fans to organise the Save Our Makos campaign aimed at raising $100,000 to help kick-start Tasman's financial recovery.

"The finances were always going to be a crucial part if we were ever going to make it back into the Air New Zealand Cup. Now we have the NZRU, Nelson Bays and Marlborough saying `prove that you're financially viable and not just with budgets but with real money'.

"The Nelson public has shown mammoth amounts of email support, now we are asking them for financial support. We don't want proposed or predicted income, we need real money.

"Donations will be in the spirit of supporting the growth and development of rugby in our Tasman community and will not have any return for the donator other than joy." Although the campaign will be officially launched next week, Mr Drummond said they have already received pledges for $25,000. The campaign has also received the support from the Makos management and players who will be door-knocking to help raise funds.

"We only had a meeting yesterday and we are up to $25,000 in 24 hours that's how good it has been. I haven't had no for an answer yet."

Mr Drummond said the campaign, which would also be operating in Marlborough, targeted families, businesses and organisations. Although Mr Drummond is a board member, he said the campaign was being run independently from the union.

The group planned to set up an 0800 number and website for smaller donations. Mr Drummond said the pledges would only be activated if the NZRU gave final approval for the Makos to play in next season's Air New Zealand Cup.

Mr Drummond acknowledged that raising $100,000 would not solve Tasman union's financial woes but the signal it would send to the NZRU would be priceless. He hoped it would also encourage bigger sponsors to back the Makos.

Tasman chief executive Peter Barr was delighted with the initiative which he expected to be well supported. He said the financial problems of the union had been well documented and that every contribution would help.

"It's an initiative that's extremely positive. It gives the Nelson community the opportunity to get in behind the Makos by contributing to the fund."

Mr Barr said he didn't know how much Tasman would need to survive in the Air New Zealand Cup. The Nelson Mail understands a figure of around $1.2 million is required.