NZ Medical Football (NZMF) Committee Meeting. 18/01/26
Present: Andrew, Fiona, Thu, Theresa, Christian
Apologies: Max, Wal, Kat
History:
- The meeting was brought forward from February to January due to significant recent developments.
- Agenda items discussed included: signatories for the bank account, tournament updates, sponsorship, team selection, accommodation for the Costa Rica tournament, and geopolitical concerns.
Impression:
1. Administration
Bank Account Signatories:
- Action point to remove Annie Yau as a signatory from the NZMF bank account. T and Thu to remain.
GST Registration:
- NZMF is not currently GST registered.
- A discussion was had regarding the need to become GST registered if annual revenue exceeds $60,000. It was agreed this is unlikely.
- It is preferable to remain non-GST registered to avoid complications with overseas payments and GST returns.
Financial Transparency:
- Agreed to publish the annual accounts on the NZMF website for transparency.
2. Tournaments
Costa Rica Tournament:
- Registration for three teams has been completed.
- Total registration fee is $13,500 Euro (approx. $27,000 NZD).
- The fee payment window opens around 01/03/2026 and must be paid in March.
- Fiona and Andrew Lienert will pay the registration fee upfront.
- Minuted that any funds coming into NZMF will first be used to reimburse Lienerts for this cost.
- A query was raised about the refund policy if the tournament is cancelled. An action point was made to clarify this with the organisers.
Local NZMF Tournament (28/03/2026 - 29/03/2026):
- Pitches confirmed at Madills Farm.
- Alevia Healthcare will sponsor the event, covering costs.
- Registration fees will go to NZMF, making it a fundraiser.
- Proposed registration fees: $250 per team (max 14 players) or $25 per individual.
- The tournament will be a 7-a-side, one-day event on Saturday 28/03/2026, from morning to afternoon (approx. 9am-4pm).
- Structure: Pool play followed by playoffs to match teams of similar ability. Focus on participation and fun. A first-place prize will be considered.
- Max 16 teams. Two full-size pitches will be used, creating four 7-a-side pitches.
- It will be a mixed tournament with a rule of a minimum of two female players on the field at all times.
- Eligibility: Open to healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, physios, pharmacists) and non-medical individuals. Advertising will target medical channels, but participation is open.
- A poster is being created by Alevia Healthcare.
- Communications will be distributed via WhatsApp, the NZ Doctor magazine, the NZMF website, and Alevia's platforms.
- Registration will be managed through the Humanitix website.
Rotorua Tournament (28/02/2026):
- Anneleise has proposed entering one men's team and one women's team.
- 7-a-side format, entry fee was $250 last year.
- Action to gauge interest within the respective teams.
3. Trainings
- Planned training sessions at Madills Farm on 01/02/2026(womens) and 15/02/2026 (mens)
- Open to all men's and women's players.
- The women's team has a coach organised for the 01/02/2026 session.
- Another training will be held on 29/03/2026, the day after the local tournament.
- Future training dates to be considered for May, avoiding April due to holidays.
4. Sponsorship
Blu Gibbon:
- Blu Gibbon has requested an invoice to pay their sponsorship fee. T will be provided with the details to generate this.
- Action for Max to liaise with Blu Gibbon regarding continued involvement, potentially providing top-up jerseys for new players.
- Noted that only 1.5% of players have registered with Blue Gibbon/Triple O, and it was encouraged for more members to do so.
Tamaki Health:
- Tamaki Health has initiated contact regarding sponsorship.
- Andrew has communicated various sponsorship options, including being the primary jersey sponsor, which would require a minimum of $10,000-$15,000 to cover new kits.
- Other options proposed included sponsoring coaches or providing player funding.
- Awaiting a response and will follow up.
5. Team Selection & Registration (Costa Rica)
Squad Size:
- Proposed squad sizes: Up for debate 13-15 for 7-a-side teams (Women's, Over 45s Men) and 23 for the 11-a-side team (Open Men's).
- Total of 49 players(13,13 and 23)
Player Registration Fee:
- Proposed fee of $600 NZD per player to cover tournament registration costs, with a small buffer for NZMF.
Selection Process:
- A large number of men have expressed interest (approx. 65 for 36 places).
- A process is needed to confirm commitment from those interested.
- Women's team has 15 definite and 4 maybe interests for 13-14 spots.
- A selection committee for the women's team was proposed, consisting of the captain (Kat), the new coach, and a male representative from the committee (Christian has volunteered if needed).
- A fair voting process (e.g., SurveyMonkey) will be organised to select the women's team coach after trialling two candidates.
- Action to communicate to players to apply for leave now.
6. Accommodation (Costa Rica)
- A property has been identified that can sleep 39 people in dormitory-style rooms (4-6 per room).
- Location is a 10-minute drive from the venue, with a practice pitch and swimming pool.
- Cost varies with numbers.
- A poll showed 13 definite yeses and several maybes. Many are undecided. This would make cost $1000/person for 10 nights but as we get more RMOs/Drs interested in staying at this accomodation the overall price per person will decrease. It could be as low as $400/person if we occupy the whole 39 beds.
- A significant, but fully refundable (until November) deposit is required.
- Lienerts will pay the deposit. It was agreed that NZMF would reimburse the interest costs incurred.
- The property will be booked from 10/12/2026 to 20/12/2026.
7. Other Business
Geopolitical Situation:
- Noted the situation in Venezuela and its potential impact on travel in the region, including Colombia which borders Costa Rica.
- Advised this is a 'watch this space' item
Future Meetings:
- Next meeting proposed in one month (mid-February 2026).
Committee Roles:
- Committee roles are considered one-year terms, to be re-voted at the AGM.
Trans-Tasman Series:
- A potential 'home and away' series against Australian teams was suggested for around October to aid tournament preparation.
Plan:
- Remove Annie Yau as a bank account signatory.
- Clarify refund policy for Costa Rica tournament registration with organisers.
- Andrew will pay the Costa Rica tournament registration fee upfront; to be reimbursed by NZMF as a priority.
- Finalise and distribute promotional material for the local NZMF tournament.
- T to generate and send an invoice to Blu Gibbon.
- Max to contact Blu Gibbon regarding future sponsorship.
- Andrew will follow up with Tamaki Health regarding their sponsorship interest.
- Gauge interest for the Rotorua tournament among teams.
- Confirm player commitment for the Costa Rica tournament to determine numbers for trials.
- Organise a fair voting process for the women's team coach.
- Reserve the accommodation in Costa Rica for 10/12/2026 - 20/12/2026. Lienerts will pay the deposit; interest costs to be reimbursed by NZMF.
- Schedule the next committee meeting for mid-February 2026.
- Publish NZMF annual accounts on the website.