Times are tough, emotionally and financially.
Sport, like every other aspect of life, is not immune to the emotional stress that surrounds the Christchurch earthquake or the economic recession.
As we have observed over the week, earthquakes and economic recessions can have devastating effects on some communities, businesses and people, while others remain relatively unscathed.
The ripple effect, however, will impact on all New Zealanders to some degree.
As AGM season comes around, provincial rugby unions up and down the country are revealing their finances for all to scrutinise, and for many, it ain't pretty.
Two unions close to my heart, Otago and Manawatu, on paper don't look that hot in terms of dollars and cents left in the bank.
Otago announced a net loss of more than $600,000 - although when deprecation and losses on the disposal of properties were taken into account, it made an operating profit of just over $6000.
Manawatu announced a deficit of about $300,000.
But Canterbury and Tasman are forecasting profits of $100,000, while Hawkes Bay announced a small profit of $31,000, its 14th straight surplus.
What is it that separates the rich from the poor, the fortunate from the not so fortunate? Is it pure luck or does the bottom line indicate something is wrong with the leadership, structure or operations within an organisation? It is probably a bit of both.
Rugby is not the only sport suffering in these financially difficult times.
The North Queensland Fury has been axed from the A-League by Football Federation Australia (FFA) for being too big a financial risk after failing to secure the $1.5 million in capital to stay in the competition for one more year.
This was despite protests from the franchise that it could find the cash if given the chance.
FFA decided no more chances were warranted.
Provincial rugby unions and netball franchises which have used up all their nine lives may also run the risk of being axed in a similar fashion - especially if competition organisers believe fewer teams will strengthen the competition format, and they're just looking for an excuse to drop a team or two.
Manawatu (rugby) and the Pulse (netball) have unfortunately found themselves at the bottom of the points table for a few years now, and we all know what happens to those at the bottom of the pile.
It looks like the Pulse netballers have been working extra hard to lift themselves up from the bottom, but lady luck just hasn't gone their way in the last two games.
At least their fighting spirit to the end has gained them some respect and hope for a brighter future.
The Highlanders have shown that this fighting spirit comes in handy during the early stages of the Super 15, with two nail-biting wins.
This surely has had some positive impact on the community.
People do tend to turn to sport as a means of escaping the reality of life, so in times like this, where natural disasters and economic circumstances leave little to be joyous about, sport acts as a great distraction.
Will the Manawatu Turbos make their community and their CEO joyous by winning a few games?I reckon that, rather than look to the Hurricanes for inspiration, many of the provincial players in the Manawatu will be watching the Highlanders as local boys David Te Moana, Aaron Smith and Nick Crosswell do their bit for the team down south.
Maybe we can gain some inspiration and spirit to beat the odds from Jamie Joseph and his crew.
Go the Highlanders - Manawatu supporters need some reason to crack a smile this week.
