New Zealand's sports sector is one of the country's great social assets. From junior cricket clubs to veteran rugby sides, from surf lifesaving associations to mountain biking clubs, sport brings communities together and underpins physical wellbeing nationwide. Behind the scenes, sports clubs are typically volunteer-run incorporated societies with limited budgets and significant liability exposure. Getting the right insurance is both a legal obligation and a practical necessity.
The Core Insurance Requirements for Sports Clubs
Public Liability
Public liability is non-negotiable for any sports club. If a spectator is injured at your ground, a ball breaks a car window, or a visitor slips on your premises, a liability claim can follow. Public liability insurance covers your legal defence costs and any damages awarded.
Coverage levels: Most sports clubs should carry at least $1M to $2M in public liability. Clubs that own their grounds or have large public attendance at events should consider $5M+. Some national sporting bodies require minimum cover levels for affiliated clubs.
Association Liability (D&O)
Your club's committee members are personally exposed under the Incorporated Societies Act 2022. Association Liability (equivalent to D&O) protects committee members against personal claims arising from their governance role. This includes:
- Employment disputes involving club staff or paid coaches
- Financial mismanagement allegations
- Health and safety failures
- Disputes with members arising from committee decisions
Voluntary Workers Accident
Most sports club volunteers are covered by ACC for physical injuries. But as discussed in our full article on volunteer insurance, ACC's compensation rates for volunteers are based on minimum wage — not the volunteer's actual earning capacity. Voluntary Workers Accident insurance supplements ACC and provides a higher level of income replacement and a meaningful death benefit.
Property and Equipment
Club equipment — uniforms, balls, training gear, timing equipment, scoreboards, maintenance machinery — represents a significant asset. Property insurance covering theft, accidental damage, and fire should be in place for all significant club property. Consider replacement value, not book value, when setting sums insured.
Sport-Specific Considerations
Adventure Sports and High-Risk Activities
Clubs involved in high-risk activities — climbing, white water kayaking, paragliding, motor sports — face a more complex insurance landscape. Standard public liability policies typically exclude or restrict cover for these activities. Specialist adventure sports or high-risk activity cover is required.
Junior and Youth Programmes
Any programme involving under-18s carries heightened duty of care obligations. Your public liability policy must specifically extend to activities with minors. Under the Children's Act 2014 and Vulnerable Children Act 2014, you also have police-vetting obligations for coaches and supervisors working with young people.
Away Games and Regional Travel
Transport of team members to away games — particularly if using club-owned vehicles or members' private vehicles — requires specific insurance review. Club-owned vehicles should be on a motor fleet policy. Members using personal vehicles for club purposes may find their personal insurance doesn't extend to club use.
Overseas Tours
Club tours overseas require travel insurance for all participants. ACC cover does not extend offshore. Ensure travel insurance includes: medical cover, cancellation cover, and cover for the specific sports activities undertaken during the tour.
National Sporting Body Requirements
Many national sporting bodies (NSBs) set minimum insurance requirements for affiliated clubs. Before arranging your own insurance, check what your NSB requires. Some NSBs also provide blanket insurance schemes for affiliated clubs at preferential rates — though these are not always comprehensive and may have gaps worth noting.
The Annual Review
A sports club's activities and assets change over time. Review your insurance annually against:
- Any changes in the types of activities you run (new programmes, higher-risk events)
- Significant changes in equipment value
- Changes in the number of paid staff or volunteers
- Any changes to your ground or facilities
- New sponsorship or funding that may require specified cover levels
A specialist sports and not-for-profit insurance broker can make this review straightforward — and ensure you're not paying for cover you don't need or missing cover you do.
About the Author
The CharityInsurance Crew — the CharityInsurance crew are your friendly insurance geeks on a mission to make specialist cover simple and accessible for every NZ charity, sports club, and community organisation.