The New Zealand national football team is finally back in the green

The New Zealand Rugby Union announced Thursday that it has posted a profit in 2021, its first in four years.

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) recorded a surplus of NZ$5.5 million (€3.4 million) in 2021, far from a €20 million loss recorded in 2020.

A ‘sense of pride’ for President Stuart Mitchell, who spoke during the New Zealand General Assembly of the New Zealand Republic of emerging ‘from a difficult period on sound financial foundations’.

In total, the union recorded NZ$189 million (€117 million) in revenue over the year, despite the fallout from Covid-19.

The Women’s World Cup, which was scheduled to take place in the fall of 2021, has been postponed to this year (October 8 – November 12) and the Rugby Championship Test matches have been moved to Australia due to border restrictions.

Meanwhile, the increase in revenue from broadcasting, sponsorship and licensing has enabled a return to the green.

In February, the New Zealand Rugby Union also announced an agreement with US investment fund Silver Lake Partners, providing for the creation of a trading company in which NZR owns approximately 95% and Californians 5% through an investment of NZ$200 million (€118 million).

The goal is to be able to invest in women’s and amateur rugby, while creating a legacy fund to ensure the long-term financial stability of the union. However, the project was not approved by the regional associations.