After initially postponing the Century Batteries Reel Legends Contest, organisers have made the tough call to cancel it indefinitely. 

The popular event was to have been fished in mid-February, but in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle, followed by a huge weather bomb that saw 300mm of rainfall in just a few hours, the event was initially postponed on advice from emergency organisations and local authorities. 

Trying to find new dates that worked for all involved turned into a nightmare, forcing tournament hosts Brent and Jody Wilson to cancel the event, which had been postponed twice the previous year due to the Covid pandemic. 

The postponements have seen the tournament incur huge costs, and as a result, entrants will receive 70% of their ticket price back in line with the tournament's Terms and Conditions. 

“The cost of each postponement has taken its toll, and the ability to run an event of this size is no longer viable,” the Wilsons say. ‘Many of the setup costs have  been non-refundable.” 

“We have been working hard, leaving no stone unturned, to deliver this event to the anglers, but some of the hurdles are insurmountable.” 

As well as the 70% refund, which will be transferred into the purchasers’ preferred account, each entrant will receive a tournament bag with a Reel Legends tee shirt, cap, and measure mat. 

“We have contacted all the anglers who provided us with a current email address to explain the situation and to get a New Zealand address for the tournament packs to be sent to and confirm details for the refund.”

This offer closes on March 31, 2023. Refunds and the packs will be sent out over the next few weeks and should be completed by early April. As expected, the cancellation has met with varying responses. 

Given the situation, the Wilsons have been pleasantly surprised with the feedback. “Several entrants have donated their refund to the charities the contest would have supported, and there have been some heartening words of support.” 

Some of the feedback has been along the following lines: 

“Thank you so much for trying to allow our community living with disabilities to participate fully in the Reel Legends competition. It’s opportunities like this that really highlight what good accessibility and inclusion look like.” – Parafed, Northland 

 “We are just so grateful as a charity to have been offered the Century Batteries Reel Legends opportunity in the first place. Please express our gratitude for any donations received.” – Blue Light Foundation  

“I would like to donate my refund to the Blue Light charity. Thanks for your efforts.” – Alan (Ticketholder) 

  “I know how much work goes into planning these comps, it is a great shame it can’t happen, but I would like to say thanks for all of your hard work.” – Ticketholder 

For details of refunds and the packs, if you have not been contacted, go to the website www.reellegends.co.nz.

– Grant Dixon NZFN