Hello Everyone,

Over the last few months the Committee has been looking at options for the gymnasium development.

This investigation has shown that a partnership with other organisations is the most viable way of developing the building and can offer the club a number of other benefits as well.

In short, the idea is to establish a partnership for the use and management of the gym so that we will continue to have the use of the facility in the long term. In addition, BNU will receive assistance from the partnership to manage the club. The club will remain a separate entity.

The information below:

• provides some background information on partnerships and what they might mean for BNU
• asks for your feed on the types of services you think the partnership should provide the club
• outlines an expression of interest process for finding project partners, and
• asks if any of you can assist the club in this process

If you have any queries please get in touch.

Rose
Chairperson

Sport and Recreation Partnerships

As noted at last year’s AGM, it is becoming increasingly difficult for community-based organisations like BNU to continue to provide the services its members want; at the price they want them (see the BNU LTCCP Submission (word doc) for more information).

This means that BNU – and other organisations like it – have to adapt to new environment to keep football financially accessible for members. A first step in this process is looking at new ways of managing our club and our resources. This means implementing effective management strategies and full utilization of club assets.

The Committee has identified a business-focused partnership as effective management model for the club. This includes collaboration with other organisations, economies of scale, professional management, and resource-sharing. The club’s Bell Road gym has the potential to support this process, if the club can upgrade it and make it attractive to outside users.

Establishing a Partnership

To establish a partnership, BNU first needs to work out what it wants a partnership to deliver. The Committee has been working on this over the last few months and would like your feedback. Have a look at the Partnership Service Provision table and let us know what you think. Please send your comments to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it before 30 June 2009.

Expressions of Interest

The next step is finding potential project partners and agreeing how the partnership will work.

BNU has talked to the Wellington City Council and the Council has agreed to run an Expressions of Interest process for the club. So keep an eye out for advertising, which will begin on 16 June.  We hope to have recommendations for Club approval at the AGM later this year.

Get involved

There is a lot to do to establish a Partnership and the Committee welcomes your help. It is likely there will be negotiations with potential partners to have, Memorandum of Understanding to develop, a Council to liaise with, and governance structures to establish. Once Partners are confirmed we need to complete a feasibility study for the gymnasium development and raise some funds. Obviously, the more people working on this, the faster the gym can be developed.

Can you can assist with this any of these? If so, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

More information

• A really good backgrounder on sport and recreation partnerships can be found at http://www.sportguidance.co.nz/pdfs/SPARC-Sport-Partnership-Project.pdf
• The Wellington City Council is holding a Community Partnerships Workshop on Wednesday 24 June, 6:00 - 7:30 pm.  This will outlines how partnerships work and gives practical advice on creating them. If you would like to go, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by 15 June.
• Get in touch with Rose Artemiev - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 021 967 091