The New Zealand Warriors, the professional Rugby League Football Club, has received almost half a million dollars from our government as national sports bodies receive a lifeline in the form of a wage subsidy scheme.
The team got NZ$485 524.80 for its 90 members of staff, according to the Work and Income COVID-19 Wage Subsidy website. This plan has been initiated to support businesses hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the globe. This amount means each employee will get NZ$5 392.72.
Two New Zealand Super Rugby Franchises have also applied for and received wage subsidies. The Hamilton-based Chiefs got NZ$150 000 and the Highlanders from Dunedin received NZ$126 532.80 for its 18-strong workforce.
Chief Executive Officer for the Warriors, Cameron George, stated that, when compared to other League Clubs’ counts, the Warriors’ is low. He said that three teams fall under their banner, the NRL team, the Under-18s, and the Canterbury Cup, all of which have support staff. That’s not to mention the commercial team that oversees corporates, memberships, and sponsorship. He promised to assist everyone involved with the team with the subsidy grant, adding that he would be handling the situation as any other business would.
The Warriors’ application for the Wage Subsidy came on the heels of the postponement of the National Rugby League competition. A 15-a-side Men’s contest, without the Warriors, has been proposed for May 2020, but NRL bosses are also thinking about introducing a two-conference system which this team would take part in.
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