Steamers' financial trouble saved
Steamers' Saviour: Bob Clarkson
Member of Parliament (MP) Bob Clarkson is a key figure behind plans to privatise the financially struggling Bay of Plenty rugby team.
The millionaire-businessman confirmed to the Bay of Plenty Times newspaper that he was ready to inject money into the concept, which involves several other Tauranga corporate figures.
It's a move Bay of Plenty Rugby Union acting chief executive Stuart Harvey admitted his union would consider after announcing a record NZ$759,000 (€400,800) loss last week.
It comes at a time when several figures - including New Zealand Rugby Players' Association chief executive Rob Nichol - have suggested franchising Super 14 and provincial unions is the only way forward for rugby.
A number of provincial unions have posted worrying losses in recent times, with Bay of Plenty joined by Otago reporting a loss of NZ$1.5m (€792, 000), Canterbury NZ$428,000 (€226, 000) and Northland NZ$350,000 (€184,820).
Privatisation would require the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) to revise its constitution, and Air New Zealand Cup teams would have to be separately run, provided the competition stayed in its current format.
Clarkson, the National Party member for Tauranga, said he was involved in advanced planning to buy a slice of professional rugby in Bay of Plenty.
"I've been pushing it and have been talking with various rugby identities - who don't need to be named at the moment - and they all think it would be a damn good idea," Clarkson told the newspaper.
"I started it about 12 months ago and thought it would be a great idea to run it as a business enterprise to get the thing humming."
Clarkson said this season might be too soon but 2009 was an ideal time to launch privatised provincial rugby.
Harvey was cautiously enthusiastic about Clarkson's proposal as the union awaits feedback from the NZRU about Bay of Plenty's financial plight.
"We've been looking at how to get business people involved without them having the feeling of chucking money away, because it's almost a donation at the moment," Harvey said.
"If they can get some sort of ownership, that might be a start."