Interclub Volume 27 Issue 2 2021

8 INTERCLUB • VOLUME 27, ISSUE 2 - 2021 Challenging times for club communities c l u b l i f e : H A M I LT O N C O S M O P O L I T A N C L U B Snooker and pool are well catered for at the Hamilton Cossie Club. Address: 2F Brooklyn Road, Claudelands, Hamilton Email: info@waikatocarrentals.co.nz Website: www.waikatocarrentals.co.nz 49 Seddon Road, Frankton, Hamilton | 07 846 1561 info@seddonpark.co.nz | SeddonParkFuneralHome | www.seddonpark.co.nz FUNERAL HOME | INCORPORATING SADLIER’S FUNERAL SERVICES Celebrate the life of your loved one in the way that they would have loved. WWW.WINGER.CO.NZ T he day in late September when Interclub knocked on the door of the Hamilton Cosmopolitan Club, for a catch up with Manager Ian Morgan, he had in his hand a just released press statement from Clubs NZ, urging the Government to relax strict hospitality conditions under Level 2 Delta. The request from Clubs NZ is the result of what the organisation considers to be unnecessary and unfair application of the food and beverage rules under the Covid health directives, which require those eating to remain seated at all times. “This simply doesn’t work in a club situation. We have all these impor tant facilities and activities for our members to enjoy, such as snooker and pool tables, dar t boards and bowls, yet because they must remain seated to enjoy our food offering, we can’t open these facilities to them. We are not simply an eating and drinking establishment.” Ian believes, like Clubs NZ, that applying these stringent rules under Level 2, doesn’t recognise the real meaning of what a club is all about. “Clubs are not just a cafe or restaurant. They are places where members come to enjoy the facilities they have. We’re a community facility. We open our doors to community groups, spor ts groups and wider activity.” On this par ticular morning, as to demonstrate the point, the club’s bowling green was full of high school students, honing their bowling skills to gain NCEA credits. “We’re also here for organisations such as those caring for people with special needs to come in and have safe, enjoyable, meaningful experience.” Ian has been in the hospitality sector a very long time. He holds strong opinions as to what needs to be in place for char tered clubs to hold their membership, remain viable businesses, indeed flourish. “First these are businesses that need to be run along business lines. A manager of any business has as a responsiblity to be open to new ways of operating, to engaging with its customers and to the wider community. A club is a vitally impor tant entity in these days of dislocation for so many people. They offer a safe, positive place to socialise and try new experiences.” With Covid impacting on the club’s revenue these past two years, Ian says the fact they have posted a working profit, at a time when many clubs are seriously failing, points to a forward- thinking approach, backed up by a governance team, who understand their role. “That’s often a critical problem in clubs. The necessary separation between management and governance, the way the two relate with each other and the accountabilities that flow from that are essential to the operation of a healthy club.” That means making tough decisions for the right reasons and Ian doesn’t shy away from this responsibility when called. “We needed to sor t out our dining service and to open our doors to corporate groups and to spor ts clubs to use our club as their base. We now sponsor a local cricket club who loyally suppor t us at after-match gatherings, including their recent win of the club premiership tournament.” Likewise Ian has engaged with their liquor suppliers to reap strong benefits for the club, including a brand new 14 tap beer dispensing facility. “The main thing is that, especially at tough times like this, you have to think outside the square. Then, as the Manager, you have to have the authority to pursue them. This is why Hamilton Cossie, despite what we’re experiencing right now, will continue to flourish.” In time, the club will open a garden bar space, something Ian says will really make full use of its surrounds. “We’re for tunate to have a space for a garden bar and I’m sure it will be another facility enjoyed by our members and guests.” Sue Russell ® 142 Maui St, Pukete, Hamilton | 07 849 7516 sales@oxfordpies.co.nz | oxfordpies.co.nz We would love to talk to you about stocking our pies • SINGLE SERVE PIES • ROLLS • SAVOURIES • FRUIT PIES • LAMINGTONS • FAMILY PIES